Key elements of Professional Update

Key elements of the Professional Update process

Professional Update is an ongoing process, which includes the following elements.

On an ongoing basis

• Self-evaluation against the appropriate Professional Standards
• Engagement in ongoing Professional Learning
• Maintaining a reflective professional learning record and associated evidence of impact
• Engagement in the Professional Review and Development process

On an annual basis

Updating your details held on the GTC Scotland Register including checking your personal and employment details are up to date. Update your details via MyGTCS

On a 5-yearly basis

Confirming engagement in the process with GTC Scotland (individual and line manager)

Every 5 years, registrants will be required to confirm their engagement in the Professional Update process to maintain their registration. Like the professional learning record, this will be completed in a number of ways depending on the system in place, and should be completed by 1 July of that academic year. Whatever the agreed system, the registrant is confirming the following:

I confirm that I have engaged in ongoing professional learning and reflected against the appropriate Professional Standards. I have maintained a reflective record of professional learning and evidence of its impact on my thinking and professional actions. I have discussed this with my line manager as part of my Professional Review and Development process.

In addition, your line managers will also be asked to confirm engagement in the process and sign off a similar statement.

I confirm that this teacher has engaged in ongoing professional learning and reflected against the appropriate Professional Standards. They have maintained a reflective record of professional learning and evidence of its impact on their thinking and professional actions. They have discussed this with me as their line manager as part of the Professional Review and Development process.

Professional learning as part of Professional Update

Undertaking a wide range of high-quality, sustained professional learning enables teachers and college lecturers to provide high-quality teaching and learning experiences and supports practice that is more likely to motivate and inspire learners.

It is important that professional learning provides rich opportunities for education professionals to develop and enhance their professional skills, knowledge and practice, in order to progress the quality of learning and teaching and school improvement.

The Professional Standards have been designed to offer support in identifying, planning and developing professional learning to ensure continuing development of professional knowledge, skills, understanding and practice. This involves asking deep and searching questions about, knowledge, skills understanding and practice.

Further information and guidance relating to professional learning

• Professional Learning
• Using Evidence of Impact and Examples of Professional Learning Journeys
• Professional Standards

PRD and discussion of impact

Professional Update is based on effective learning that meets the needs of the teachers, which is sustained and has an impact on learners. Professional dialogue facilitated through Professional Review and Development (PRD) focuses on outcomes for a registrant’s own development as well as aiming to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Professional Review and Development

Maintain a reflective record

Maintaining a reflective record of professional learning and evidence of impact form an essential part of the Professional Update process.

Many teachers now use MyPL, which can be accessed through MyGTCS. However, some schools and local authorities use different systems. Check with your line manager or local authority to find out which system you should be using.

Using Evidence of Impact and Examples of Professional Learning Journeys