ATL

Scotland

ATL Scotland members need to be aware of the issues around registration with the GTCS, says national official for Scotland Keith Robson

One issue that found its way to the top of ATL Scotland's Christmas charts was that of registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). Members should be aware that registration with the respective teaching councils in England, Wales or Northern Ireland does not automatically guarantee registration with the GTCS.

It is also important to be aware that the European Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications does not apply to movement between countries within the UK. Applications from other parts of the UK will be considered within the spirit of the directive.

If you wish to teach in state maintained schools in Scotland you have to be registered with the GTCS. Teachers in the independent sector do not have to be registered with the GTCS, although increasingly schools are asking for registered teachers.

GTCS and the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) have been discussing a protocol regarding the registration of teachers in the independent sector. SCIS has reassured us that its "strong recommendation" to member schools that teachers should have GTCS registration (and the awaited protocol) should not result in teachers losing their jobs if they are unable to achieve registration.

The GTCS website gives clear information on the criteria for registration. Each case will be different due to members' qualifications and length of service. There is the opportunity to achieve registration via the 'exceptional admission' route. If the issue of registration is pertinent to you and we can be of any assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us at the ATL Scotland office.