Home > Regulation > Rules and policies Fitness To Teach What is Fitness To Teach Process Make a Referral Criminal convictions The Investigation process About Hearings Rules and Policies Professional Update and Fitness to Teach Outcomes Hearings schedule and decisions Fitness to Teach Statistics Rules and policies All of our Fitness to Teach proceedings are governed by rules and legislation. If you are appearing at a hearing, it is important that you or your representative is familiar with the Fitness to Teach Rules 2017. We will highlight these to anyone who is subject to our fitness to teach process throughout our correspondence. They are also available to view here. Our Fitness to Teach Threshold Policy sets out what GTCS will investigate under our fitness to teach procedures. This is important information for anyone wishing to make a referral to GTCS about a teacher's conduct or professional competence. Fitness to Teach Threshold Policy Practice Statements We have also put a number of practice statements in place to help guide and inform best practice at hearings. They seek to ensure that we adopt efficient, effective, rational and consistent practice. They also promote our commitment to principles of transparency and fairness and best regulatory practice. We would recommend that anyone subject to a fitness to teach investigation or hearing (or is a representative) is familiar with the practice statement relevant to the circumstances of their case. Date Practice Statement Summary 22 Aug 2019 Conduct at Hearings Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to GTCS Fitness to Teach panel members ("panel members") in respect of conduct at hearings (which is also sometimes known as "judicial conduct"). 22 Aug 2019 Decision Making and Writing Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to Fitness to Teach Panels on the decision-making and writing process in conduct hearings. 21 Aug 2017 Fact-finding in Fitness to Teach Conduct Cases Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to support the rational and consistent determination of fitness to teach conduct cases. 26 Sep 2018 Health Matters and Medical Evidence Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to GTCS staff, Fitness to Teach Panels and Conveners as well as parties on medical evidence requirements in order to enable health matters to be properly and fairly considered within the fitness to teach process. 08 May 2018 Fitness to Teach Conduct Cases - Indicative Outcomes Guidance Practice Statement Guidance for Fitness to Teach Panels on the procedure and factors to consider in making fitness to teach determinations and in deciding what action should be taken or sanction imposed. 27 Sep 2017 Panel Consideration Practice Statement (PDF) 21 Aug 2017 Postponements, Adjournments and Proceeding in the Absence Practice Statement Guidance to Fitness to Teach Panels, the Appeals Board and Conveners when considering hearing postponement or adjournment requests. 26 Sep 2018 Privacy and Anonymity Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to Fitness to Teach Panels when making decisions regarding orders to prevent or restrict the public disclosure of any aspect of proceedings. 21 Aug 2017 Professional Competence Cases Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to support the rational and consistent determination of fitness to teach professional competence cases. 27 Sep 2017 Subsequent Registration Applications Practice Statement (PDF) 21 Aug 2017 Temporary Restriction Orders Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance on temporary restriction orders and the procedure and factors that Fitness to Teach Panels should bear in mind in making any such direction. 22 Aug 2019 Use of Electronic Communications in Hearings Practice Statement (PDF) Guidance to parties and Panels on the use of electronic communications in hearings. 25 Sep 2019 Witnesses and Hearsay Evidence Practice Statement Guidance in respect of the evidence of witnesses who are vulnerable and also on the use of hearsay evidence Useful Links Professional Standards Downloads Fitness to Teach Rules 2017 Code of Professionalism and Conduct