DRIVING FORWARD PROFESSIONAL

STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS

Annual Plan 2013 - 2014

Objective 1: Outcome: To enhance GTC Scotland as An independent GTC Scotland which is central to maintaining and improving teacher the independent professional, professionalism, while offering appropriate advice and guidance for teachers at different stages regulatory body for teaching in their careers and maintaining the confidence of the public. GTC Scotland’s position as a key in Scotland player in the promotion and development of high standards in Scotland’s schools and colleges is recognised and valued Implementation Priority Action Outcome Date

1.1 Enhance the effectiveness of (a) To continue to monitor and implement the  Clear, efficient and effective implementation of March 2014 and GTC Scotland as the agreed objectives of the Communications the Communications Strategy adapting to beyond independent professional, Strategy, suggesting revisions where policy changing policy landscapes where required. regulatory body for teaching in developments may necessitate amended or Scotland, working in new objectives partnership with stakeholders

(b) To continue to work with external  Appropriate GTC Scotland representation at March 2014 and stakeholders, at local and national level, in local and national meetings (eg National beyond order to support national policy development Implementation Board, Career-Long and change Professional Learning Network and other working groups, leading and contributing to national policy development as required

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Objective 2: Outcome: To enhance the quality of Using appropriate measures such as Education Scotland reports and international teaching and learning in comparisons, the quality of teaching and learning in Scotland will be judged positively. GTC Scotland Scotland’s lead role in setting and maintaining Standards for teachers and in enhancing the leadership capacity within Scottish education will be positively acknowledged and have the support of the public Implementation Priority Action Outcome Date

2.1 Develop, enhance and (a) To disseminate key messages about the  All key messages about policy developments March 2014 and publicise GTC Scotland’s work of GTC Scotland through the range of at GTC Scotland are communicated clearly, beyond guidance to the profession, agreed communications channels efficiently and effectively the Scottish Government Education Directorates and to other relevant organisations

2.2 Work in partnership with (a) To continue to engage with stakeholders  Positive input to developments in the March 2014 and relevant stakeholders to and be actively involved in national policy educational leadership area beyond improve leadership capacity development in relation to educational within education in Scotland leadership

(b) To engage with local authorities currently  Increased engagement with local authorities June 2014 delivering high quality leadership to provide information and support in this programmes in order to implement GTC area. Scotland accreditation of leadership  Successful accreditation of local authority programmes leading to the Standard for leadership programmes leading to the Headship) Standard for Headship

(c) To organise the second GTC Scotland  Work undertaken to build on the success of May 2014 conference and awards ceremony, the event in March 2013 recognising achievement of the Standard for Headship

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2.3 Enhance professional (a) In support of the implementation of the  Enhanced awareness and understanding of June 2014 awareness of the centrality of revised Professional Standards from August the revised suite of Professional Standards current and new Standards in 2013, to continue engagement and leading to their effective use by teachers the maintenance of quality dissemination at local, regional and national educational provision level; adapt Teacher Induction Scheme profiles and related materials in light of the revised Standards for Registration; consult on revisions to the Registration and Standards Rules that reflect the new Professional Standards; and embed the revised Professional Standards in Fitness to Teach processes

(b) To implement a revised Professional  Revised process and accreditation October 2013 Recognition process, for individual teachers framework in place to deliver outcomes that and for the accreditation of programmes, in encourage strong teacher interest and line with the Standard for Career-Long support teacher participation Professional Learning

(c) To continue working in partnership with  Phase 1 - Exploration of process, practice Phase 1 - colleagues from Glasgow, Stirling and and impact in education systems June 2013; Edinburgh Universities and associated local where models of accomplished authorities as part of a research project teaching have been adopted looking at accomplished teaching and the place of the Standard for Career-Long  Phase 2 - Identification and agreement of Phase 2 - Professional Learning in supporting this development themes for further June 2014 exploration

2.4 Develop and establish a (a) To continue the development of  Phase 1 of the Professional Update pilot August 2013 system of Professional Professional Update and to communicate completed and evaluated; increased Update that is supportive of the key messages to teachers and other participation from local authorities, further teachers in Scotland stakeholders, and consult on revisions to education, higher education and independent the Registration and Standards Rules that schools in Phase 2 of the pilot; reflect Professional Update requirements for communication with and support to implementation prior to the Professional stakeholders not yet engaged in the process; Update launch in August 2014 and enhanced awareness and understanding of Professional Update requirements by teachers and other stakeholders

 Rules at a near final stage that have been April 2014 publicly consulted on and clearly reflect the Professional Update requirements

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Objective 3: Outcome: To maintain and enhance the Quality teaching and learning for Scotland’s children and young people is provided by professional standards of competent and suitable teachers who, within the framework of the Teacher Education teachers in Scotland and Standards, and GTC Scotland’s Framework on Teacher Competence and Code of ensure their fitness to teach Professionalism and Conduct, meet and maintain the set standards and secure the confidence of the public Implementation Priority Action Outcome Date

3.1 Maintain and enhance the (a) To develop and improve the public facing  Revised public Search the Register function March 2014 integrity and quality of Search the Register facility, taking into in place which is more user friendly and information on the register account all registration requirements and contains relevant and proportionate Fitness to Teach and Data Protection information aspects

(b) To put in place a procedure to address the  Removal from the register of teachers who March 2014 position where teachers fail to maintain their fail to maintain their correct contact details up-to-date contact details

3.2 Develop and apply (a) To review end-of-year statistical data and  Continued provision of high quality hearing March 2014 and appropriate regulatory evaluate procedures and documentation and investigation services, with processes beyond procedures within the relating to hearings and related proceedings and procedures that are clear, consistent and legislative framework and the investigation stage of the Fitness to as efficient as possible Teach process, identify areas for improvement, and put in place quality assurance mechanisms (together with performance review processes for legal assessors and presenting officers)

(b) To take forward consideration of issues  Scope of the project to be agreed and risk September 2013 relating to a potential system of student assessment to be undertaken to support the teacher registration development of this initiative with a proposed date for implementation in 2015/2016

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Objective 4: Outcome: To enhance the status and GTC Scotland is well regarded as a trusted and influential player in education and teaching in standing of teaching and the Scotland teaching profession Implementation Priority Action Outcome Date

4.1 Develop GTC Scotland’s role (a) To use agreed communications channels to  Tailored communications reaching all key March 2014 and as an advocate for the disseminate key messages about the work stakeholders to raise awareness of GTC beyond teaching profession of GTC Scotland, promoting and explaining Scotland as an advocate for the teaching its role as an advocate for the teaching profession profession.

(b) To take forward development of a system to  An efficient and cost effective system in place May 2014 facilitate student placements

4.2 Speak authoritatively on (a) To use appropriate communications  Tailored communications that engage with March 2014 and education and teaching channels such as Teaching Scotland teachers and reflect their experiences and beyond matters in ways which reflect magazine and Teaching Scotland Online to professionalism the experiences and speak authoritatively on education and professionalism of teachers teaching matters, while also providing teachers with a platform to discuss their experiences

4.3 Further develop GTC (a) To undertake a formal review of the  A revised Corporate Communications Strategy November 2013 Scotland’s Corporate Corporate Communications Strategy so that that reflects the changing needs and work of Communications Strategy it continues to be fit for purpose, to meet the GTC Scotland and exploits all available demands of the changing policy landscape communications channels of GTC Scotland, and to exploit available communications channels to the full

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Objective 5: Outcome: To develop the strengths and Based on an agreed quality assurance and self-evaluation mechanism, Council members, expertise of Council appointed committee and panel members, and staff are confident that they have the skills members, appointed and expertise to carry out their respective roles and the opportunities to develop further in committee and panel the future members, and staff Implementation Priority Action Outcome Date

5.1 Continue to review and (a) To undertake a review of Human Resource  HR policies in place which are up to date, fit December 2013 develop GTC Scotland’s policies as required in consultation with staff for purpose, accessible to all and easy to staff policies and personnel representatives, to include a focus upon pay understand / implement review and development progression, training and development  Staff confirm this through the annual process to ensure that all policies, flexible working policies and travel employee survey and other mechanisms staff have the necessary and subsistence policies skills and expertise to enable them to carry out their (b) To continue to review and improve upon  A coherent and accessible system of March 2014 responsibilities expeditiously staff development systems, including a continuing professional development is review of the current Performance and available to all staff Development Review process, the use of  Staff confirm this through the annual skills audits to inform Organisational employee survey and other feedback Development Plans and the roll-out of mechanisms internal Professional Update for staff

5.2 Build upon achievements so (a) To evaluate the pilot of 360 degree  Managers and other participants receive November 2013 far in the standard of feedback undertaken in April 2013 and better information about their skills, Investors in People amend the process as appropriate, with a performance and working relationships programme in relation to view to roll out to other managers / other compared to traditional review methods and organisational development relevant staff to coincide with the Interim use this to identify areas for continuing Reviews and then integration into future professional development Performance and Development Review processes

5.3 Develop the skills of Council (a) To provide ongoing training for Council,  Council members carry out their role March 2014 members and appointed members, together with induction for appropriately and consistently committee and panel members to serve on the 2014-2018 members to enable them to Council, to enable them to carry out their carry out their duties and role on Council in an informed, effective and functions consistent manner

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(b) To provide additional training for  Appointments Committee members carry out March 2014 Appointments Committee members in their role appropriately and consistently advance of any appointments rounds that may be required

(c) To provide training for appointed Panel and  Panel and Appeals Board members carry out March 2014 Appeals Board members (including their role appropriately and consistently Conveners), together with additional guidance and training support materials, to  Panel and Appeals Board members are help them carry out their role in an informed, familiar with the new Standards for effective and consistent manner Registration with a view to these new standards coming into effect from August 2013

 The role of Servicing Officers and Legal Assessors within the hearings process is respected and clearly understood

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Objective 6: Outcome: To run an effective and cost- Stakeholders will express satisfaction that GTC Scotland provides high quality services efficient organisation that are valued by the teaching profession Implementation Priority Action Outcome Date

6.1 Make effective use of GTC (a) To maintain, monitor and review ongoing  GTC Scotland's resources are carefully March 2014 Scotland’s resources arrangements and plan appropriately to maintained and developed to ensure they through careful planning, meet organisational priorities and serve their purpose and are used or monitoring and financial requirements, including implemented in the most effective and cost- control efficient way

(1) Data Protection

 Prepare and implement a Data  All staff aware of data protection October 2013 Protection breach policy and responsibilities and trained in the use of procedure the data breach policy and procedures

 Data Protection audit  The organisation is assured that it has in December 2013 place the appropriate procedures and technological measures to prevent personal data being lost, damaged or inappropriately destroyed

(2) Procurement – Review of financial  Best value achieved March 2014 authorisation procedures, procurement strategy and wider policies, practices and contracts to ensure best value achieved with suppliers

(3) Future Funding Strategy  Options determined for consideration by March 2014 Council. Further consideration will be given to the Council’s future funding strategy in 2013/14, including whether a minimum registration fee increase of £5 to £50 is required to break-even in 2014/15

(4) Continuous development of  Management Accounts and Reporting March 2014 and Management Accounts and Reporting systems to be further revised to support beyond systems budget holders

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(5) Carry out a full review of security  Remain PCI compliant December 2013 including ICT security

(6) Develop an integrated planning,  An efficient, streamlined process, with March 2014 budgeting and risk assessment process, appropriate measures, that delivers together with appropriate Key relevant management information for the Performance Indicators Corporate Management Team and as appropriate for Council to agreed timescales

6.2 Review and develop (a) To continue to monitor, review and develop  Systems and processes comply with best March 2014 systems and processes to GTC Scotland's systems and processes to practice and other requirements and are underpin GTC Scotland’s ensure that they are appropriate for GTC suitably developed to enable GTC Scotland functions and policies and to Scotland's purposes, including: to carry out its functions timeously, effectively evaluate and measure and cost-efficiently performance (1) Implement and manage election,  Elected, nominated and appointed Council March 2014 nomination and appointment (or re- members in place for the 2014-2018 term appointment) processes for the 2014- of office 2018 Council term of office

(2) GTC Scotland Service Complaints  Number of Independent Reviewers September 2013 Procedure - appointed who can independently review Small list of Independent Reviewers to complaints not resolved through GTC be put in place for the current year (to Scotland's service complaints procedure include or replace the current Independent Reviewer as appropriate)

(3) Introduce a performance review process  Performance review procedural guidelines March 2014 for Council members, Panel members, and support materials in place and Legal Assessors  First wave of performance reviews completed or substantially completed

(4) Put in place a Membership Database to  Membership database populated and in March 2014 hold information related to Council, use Panel and Appeals Board members  Operational procedures in place to support and underpin the use of the Membership database  Database used to carry out ongoing monitoring of member attendance and for related statistical purposes

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6.3 Promote effective (a) To review and revise website content as  Accurate and current website content in December 2013 communications, and regards fitness to teach and hearings to place teacher/stakeholder care ensure that it is accurate and up to date

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GTC Scotland aims to promote equality and diversity in all its activities

GTC Scotland Direct weblinks

Clerwood House, 96 Clermiston Road, Continuing Professional Development: Fitness to Teach: Edinburgh EH12 6UT www.gtcs.org.uk/professional- development/cpd.aspx www.gtcs.org.uk/fitness-to-teach/fitness-to-teach.aspx Tel: 0131 314 6000 Fax: 0131 314 6001 Professional Learning and Development Department: Professional Update for Teachers: E-mail: [email protected] www.gtcs.org.uk/probation/probation.aspx www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-development/professional-update.aspx

Probationer Teachers: Research: www.probationerteacherscotland.org.uk www.gtcs.org.uk/research

Registration Services: Teaching Scotland: www.gtcs.org.uk/registration/registration.aspx www.teachingscotland.org.uk

Professional Recognition: www.gtcs.org.uk/professional- development/ professional-recognition.aspx

Code: GTCS……