Request to defer your PU sign-off

Deferral eligibility requirements

We recognise that there will be circumstances that make completion of the Professional Update (PU) process within the designated timescale difficult, and it might be necessary to bring forward or to defer the sign-off period.

These circumstances may include:

career breaks
extended illness
parental leave
you are a supply teacher and not working often

How to request a deferral

We advise you request your deferral at the start of your PU sign-off year. You must discuss your deferral with your employer before submitting a request.

We usually grant deferrals for 1 year.

You should check with your employer which system to use for PU.

MyGTCS users

If you use MyGTCS, you can request a deferral on the MyGTCS platform in the ‘Defer Professional Update year’ form.

If your current employer is validated for PU, you must have created an association with your PU reviewer in MyGTCS before submitting the form.
If your current employer is not validated for PU, you can still submit the request using the form in MyGTCS (which includes a declaration that this is the reason you do not have an associated PU reviewer).