Advice for Flexible Route Probationers

From 1 August 2023, the Flexible Route is changing.

This will mean changes to the requirements for both new and existing probationers and for teachers who are adding a subject or sector to their existing GTC Scotland registration. Advice for them, and the headteachers and senior leaders who support them, is available below.

Finalised arrangements for the implementation of the policy will be published here in due course.

Read the refreshed Provisional Registration and Probationer Service policy

Existing probationers

The guidance below applies for probationers who started their probation before 1 August 2023.

What has changed for me?

Teaching service

From 1 August 2023, the requirement for satisfactory teaching service will be reduced from 270 to a minimum of 190 days.  

Headteacher or senior leader recommendation

After you have completed a minimum of 190 days service, you must request a recommendation from a headteacher or senior leader with current Full (General) Registration with GTC Scotland.

The headteacher or senior leader must be fully satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to say you have met the Standard for Full Registration (SFR). They may decide you need more time to meet the SFR and will review your sign off later.  

This headteacher must have: 

• made at least one formal observation of your teaching practice; and  
• had a professional discussion with you to complete your final Key Strengths, Areas for Development and Professional Action Plan.

You must have been employed at the school of the headteacher or senior leader making the recommendation. There are no minimum days required, but we advise that an observation is completed after the equivalent of a period of 20 days working in your recommending headteacher or senior leader’s school. This is to ensure that they can make an informed decision when recommending you for Full Registration. 

You must complete a minimum of 55% of your days in your subject and category of registration. A maximum of 45% of your probation service can be completed in any other category, for example, Additional Support Needs.

You still need to demonstrate you have met all other profile requirements.

What do I need to do with my online profile to change it to 190 days?    

You don’t need to do anything.  We will be updating all online profiles to reflect the 190 days change in early August 2023.  

I am currently using a paper-based profile, will there be any changes to my submission process?  

Your paper profile must now be signed off by a headteacher or senior leader with current Full (General) Registration with GTC Scotland. When it is complete, please scan and email to gtcs@gtcs.org.uk with the subject line ‘completed Flexible Route Profile’.

I am currently completing my paper profile outside of Scotland. How can I be signed off as my headteacher is not GTC Registered?  

Once you have completed your profile, you must ask a a headteacher or senior leader with current Full (General) Registration with GTC Scotland to sign the recommendation.

They do not need to be working in Scotland, but they need to professionally endorse your ability to meet the Standard for Full Registration.  

They need to complete a declaration on your profile to confirm that they recommend you being awarded the Standard for Full Registration. Once they have recommended you, you must submit this completed declaration to us.

What if I cannot access a GTC Scotland registered headteacher or senior leader?

Please get in touch with us for more advice. Email gtcs@gtcs.org.uk with the subject line ‘Flexible Route Probationer Sign-off’.

Will I have 3 or 5 years to complete the Flexible Route?  

If you were provisionally registered prior to 1 August 2023, and were given a period of 5 years to complete your Flexible Route from your date GTC Scotland granted you Provisional Registration, this will not change.    

New probationers (qualified in Scotland)

The guidance below applies for probationers who:

• completed their teaching qualification in Scotland
• and will be starting the Flexible Route in Scotland after 1 August 2023

For information on completing probation outside Scotland on the flexible route, please read our advice for Flexible Route probationers outside Scotland.

Flexible Route profile

When we award you Provisional Registration, we will give you access to an online Flexible Route profile.   

This is where you will record: 

•  the minimum 190 days service required to meet the Standard for Full Registration
• other profile requirements

Headteacher or senior leader recommendation

Once you have completed your profile, you must request a recommendation by a headteacher or senior leader with current Full (General) Registration with GTC Scotland. 

This headteacher must have: 

• made at least one formal observation of your teaching practice; and  
• had a professional discussion with you to complete your final Key Strengths, Areas for Development and Professional Action Plan. 
• you must have been employed at the school of the headteacher or senior leader making the recommendation. There are no minimum days required, but we advise that an observation is completed after the equivalent of a period of 20 days working in your endorsing headteacher or senior leader’s school. This is to ensure that they can make an informed decision when endorsing you. 

The headteacher or senior leader needs to complete a declaration on your profile to confirm that they recommend you being awarded the Standard for Full Registration.

Timescale for completion

You have 3 years from the date of Provisional Registration to meet the Standard for Full Registration. 

Requirements for teaching service

You must complete a minimum of 55% of your days in your subject and category of registration. A maximum of 45% of your probation service can be completed in any other category, for example, Additional Support Needs.

New probationers (qualified outside Scotland)

The guidance below applies for probationers who:

• completed their teaching qualification outside Scotland and have been granted Provisional Registration
• and will be starting the Flexible Route in Scotland after 1 August 2023

Flexible Route profile

When we award you Provisional Registration, we will give you access to an online Flexible Route profile.   

This is where you will record: 

• the specified number of days we have given you to meet the Standard for Full Registration
• other profile requirements

Headteacher or senior leader recommendation

Once you have completed your profile, you must request a recommendation by a headteacher or senior leader with current Full (General) Registration with GTC Scotland. 

This headteacher must have: 

• made at least one formal observation of your teaching practice; and  
• had a professional discussion with you to complete your final Key Strengths, Areas for Development and Professional Action Plan. 
• you must have been employed at the school of the headteacher or senior leader making the recommendation. There are no minimum days required, but we advise that an observation is completed after the equivalent of a period of 20 days working in your endorsing headteacher or senior leader’s school. This is to ensure that they can make an informed decision when endorsing you. 

The headteacher or senior leader needs to complete a declaration on your profile to confirm that they recommend you being awarded the Standard for Full Registration.

Timescale for completion

You have 3 years from the date of Provisional Registration to meet the Standard for Full Registration. 

Requirements for teaching service

You must complete a minimum of 55% of your days in your subject and category of registration. A maximum of 45% of your probation service can be completed in any other category, for example, Additional Support Needs.