25-26/068

We refer to your request for information (FOI 25-26/68) dated 13 March 2026 which we have handled under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). 

You asked:

“I am looking for information on the recruitment of the advertised position of: Regulatory Investigations Officer at The General Teaching Council for Scotland. This was advertised until 26 May 2025. Please provide the following information about this recruitment exercise:

The total number of applications received for the role.

The number of applicants who passed the initial sift/shortlisting stage.

The number of candidates invited to interview.

The number of candidates who attended interview.

The number of candidates placed on any reserve list, if applicable.

Whether the role was successfully filled, and if so whether the successful candidate was internal or external.

The composition of the interview panel by job title or grade.

The scoring method used at sift and interview (for example competency scoring matrices or weighting used).”

Our response:

Please see our answers to your queries below.  

The total number of applications received for the role.  

48

The number of applicants who passed the initial sift/shortlisting stage.  

We do not hold this information and have applied s17(1)(b) of FOISA to this query.

The number of candidates invited to interview.

12.

The number of candidates who attended interview.

9.

The number of candidates placed on any reserve list, if applicable.

We do not hold this information and have applied s17(1)(b) of FOISA to this query.

Whether the role was successfully filled, and if so whether the successful candidate was internal or external.

The role was successfully filled by an external candidate.

The composition of the interview panel by job title or grade.

The panel comprised of a Grade 7, Grade 9 and Grade 10.

The scoring method used at sift and interview (for example competency scoring matrices or weighting used)

Using an external recruitment platform, candidates submitted answers to scenario-based questions. The questions related to skills or challenges candidates would expect to find in the role. Once submitted, candidate answers were anonymised and randomised before being scored by the selection panel.

Candidates were then assessed against the competencies outlined for the role through their responses to interview questions, as well as a presentation they were asked to prepare in advance. Appointment decisions were made based on how well the candidates demonstrated the required competencies.

Right to review and appeal:

You may request a review of how we have dealt with this information request if you are dissatisfied with this response. This can be done by contacting us at informationgovernance@gtcs.org.uk, describing your original request and explaining the basis for your dissatisfaction. You have 40 working days from receipt of this response to submit a review request.  

Once the review process has been completed, if you are still dissatisfied, you have six months in which you can apply to the Scottish Information Commissioner for a decision. See the Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance on making an appeal for information about how to do this.