GTCS Professional Update: a positive innovation for teachers in

Scotland

November 2013

#gtcsPU #gtcsPL

Professional Update – why now?

• Public Services Reform (GTC Scotland) Order 2011 (Section 31)– requires GTCS to set up a scheme of

reaccreditation for teachers– allows GTCS scope to develop such a scheme

and to give it an appropriate name– allows for different provision in respect of

different types of registered teachers– requires consultation before making or

varying a scheme

GTC Scotland Context

• GTC Scotland independence, April 2012‒ strengthened powers and increased responsibilities

for GTC Scotland‒ GTC Scotland review of Professional Standards

• Standards of qualification and practice are high but‒ strong political pressure about and regular press

interest in teaching standards

• Growing emphasis on teachers taking responsibility for their own professional learning and development

What has GTC Scotland done to date?

• Set up Professional Update Working Group• Published guidance and advice notes• Arranged meetings to discuss current thinking and

listen to teachers’ views• Carried out an online consultation (Feb 2012)• Continued engagement with profession• Phase 1 and phase 2 pilot programmes• Evaluation of progress

Key principles of Professional Update: teachers would have.....

• a responsibility to consider their own development needs

• an entitlement to a system of supportive PRD

• confirmation that they are maintaining the high standards required of a teacher

Some important starting points about Professional Update....

• Each PU scheme should be developed with professional associations and staff

• GTCS will seek to validate PU schemes to ensure fairness and consistency across Scotland

• Effective and supportive PRD is a key feature of this development. This process should: – be led by the teacher’s self-evaluation – be supportive, challenging but not threatening – help teachers keep their skills up to date

How should PRD work?

• PRD is not just a meeting. It is a supportive process which:‒ needs careful preparation, including:• training for all involved• an emphasis on coaching and mentoring support‒ builds on a teacher’s self-evaluation‒ should help teachers to:

• identify constructive ways to update their skills• gain access to opportunities which can address areas they have

identified as requiring support• manage change• focus on ways in which they can enhance their careers

What will happen in practice...?

• An annual update, involving submission to GTCS of changes in personal details

https://www.gtcs.org.uk/GTCS-login.aspx• Continuing engagement in the PRD process

and professional learning• Reflection against the appropriate GTC

Scotland Professional Standard• Maintenance of a professional learning record

and portfolio of evidence • A five yearly Professional Update procedure

Professional Update sign off process

• Teacher:I confirm that I have engaged in ongoing professional

development in line with the GTCS Professional Standards, maintained a CPD record and portfolio of evidence, and have discussed the impact of my professional learning with my line manager as part of my Professional Review and Development process.

 • Line Manager:I confirm that..... has engaged in ongoing professional

development in line with the GTCS Professional Standards, maintained a CPD record and portfolio of evidence and has discussed the impact of this as part of the Professional Review and Development process.

Discussion session 1

• Does this sound like:‒ The PRD process in your local

authority?‒ The PRD process in your school /

centre?‒ Your own experience of PRD?

New Professional Standards

• The Standards for Registration (Provisional, Full)

• The Standard for Career-Long Professional Learning

• The Standards for Leadership and Management (Middle Leadership, Headship)

Online Standards Support Materials

Discussion session 2

• How familiar are teachers in your school with the appropriate standards?

• How familiar are you with the appropriate standards?

• How familiar is your line manager with the appropriate standards?

Professional Update and Competence

• Competence is not a big issue: teaching standards are high in Scotland

• Professional Update is about “improving not proving” and

• is not related to competence procedures– Competence cases will continue to operate in

line with the agreed framework and– teachers should benefit from support provided

Phase 1 of Pilot 2012/13

• 3 Local Authorities, 1 independent school

• Partnership model - agreement with LNCT

• GTC Scotland validation of PRD / Professional Update schemes

• Identification of participants‒ 2 clusters of schools‒ 20% of staff• Importance of briefing and associated training

• Arrangements for sign off of Professional Update

• Evaluation throughout and at end of process

Evaluation of phase 1

• Continue to advertise MyGTCS as a means for teachers to update their details to GTC Scotland on a regular basis.

• Continued need to engage with the profession to ensure teachers are informed about the revised Professional Standards, their significance in the Professional Update process and ways in which they can meaningfully engage with them.

• Further work will be required to ensure that teachers are familiar with models and types of professional learning. The guidelines for Professional Update which are currently being developed should include examples of the wide range of professional learning opportunities.

• Further guidance about maintaining a professional learning record and evidence of impact of professional learning is required.

Phase 2 of Pilot 2013//14

• Adaptations in light of learning from phase 1

• Widen involvement from phase 1 participants

• Increase in number of local authorities (14) independent schools (7), HE (3), Education Scotland. Similar involvement as in phase 1

• Validations between March 2013 and January 2014

• Phase 2 roll out in session 2013 / 2014

• National roll out from August 2014

National roll out August 2014

2014/2015 teachers with registration years ending in a 9 or 42015/2016teachers with registration years ending in 0 and 52016/2017 teachers with registration years ending in a 6 or 12017/2018teachers with registration years ending in 7 and 22018/2019teachers with registration years ending in 8 or 3 etc.

The big issues...

• Professional Update: perception and reality– Communication of key messages

• Improving PRD: – developing a scheme which will work for teachers– Emphasis on enhancing teachers’ skills, NOT

extending competence procedures

• Addressing – the needs of teachers not currently working in

schools– the role of Head Teachers and employers

Discussion session 3

• What will you do next?‒ Impact on self?‒ Communication with staff?‒ Planning for the future?

GTC Scotland

Professional.Update@gtcs.org.uk

www.gtcs.org.uk/professional-update