West Lothian College
Chapter 2: Functions of an independent General Teaching Council for
Scotland
Section 2.2 - Responsibility for the Teaching Standards
Q1: Would it be appropriate for the GTCS to be given a more explicit responsibility in
relation to the standards?
Given the differing legal jurisdiction within Scotland for professional standards
relating to Sector Skills Councils, School Education in Scotland and Scotland’s
Colleges, we would support the GTCS having lead responsibility for the
maintenance and enhancement of the standards for teaching. However, this
support is offered on the proviso that GTCS will give due recognition to the
standards set by Scotland’s Colleges in providing specialist Professional
Development Awards and initial teacher induction training, in association with
the Teacher Education Institutions, which accredit the Teaching Qualifications in
Further Education.
We further support the recommendation that the GTCS should, however, fully
consider the expertise within the College Sector and also make reference to and
take cognisance
the UK andtoEuropean
contexts
in which
professional
Section
2.3 - Entry of
Requirements
and Approval
of Courses
of Initial
Teacher
Education
Q2: Should the GTCS assume responsibility for setting entry requirements to
Courses of Initial Teacher Education?
The responsibility for the entry requirements for any academic course lies
ultimately with the organisation delivering and quality assuring that qualification.
The entry requirements should be set by that organisation, taking into account
the bodies requiring these qualifications and the needs of students taking the
course.
West Lothian College
Q3: Should the GTCS assume responsibility for the approval of initial teacher
education courses?
Scotland’s Colleges currently welcome the contribution GTCS makes to the
periodic review and updating of TQFEs, but would not wish the GTCS to have
powers to approve these. This is a matter for Scotland’s Colleges, the teacher
education HEIs and the Scottish Government.
Section 2.4 - Continuing Professional Development
Q4: Do you think the GTCS should expand its role to into CPD? If so, what do you
think this role should consist of?
Scotland’s Colleges currently provide a range of CPD opportunities to support
both academic and other college staff. This is robustly recorded through its
centralised and established My CPD facility. Scotland’s Colleges would,
therefore, particularly welcome, in light of the introduction of Curriculum for
Excellence, linking-in with the GTCS to having a lead role in supporting CPD for
teachers in public sector and independent schools. Scotland’s Colleges provide
many examples of leading practice in this and would be pleased to work with
GTCS to make provision available to teachers, resources permitting.
GTCS could provide a central mechanism for recording CPD, however we
would not support GTCS being the sole accreditor of CPD.
Chapter 3: Governance of an independent General Teaching Council for
Section 3.2 - Size of Council
Q5: What do you think is the most appropriate size for an independent Council?
The size of an independent Council should be determined by what is going to
be most effective in delivering the functions required of the organisation the
Council leads. Irrespective of size, Scotland’s Colleges supports the proposal
of a core council plus satellite committees, which could include co-opted
members.
West Lothian College
Section 3.3 - Composition of Council
Q6: How best can we ensure that the public interest is well represented on an
independent Council? In answering this question stakeholders may wish to consider
factors such as the composition, appointments process and definition of lay member
which could all play a role in ensuring the public interest is well represented.
Scotland’s Colleges would welcome an increase in the proportion of public
interest representation within an independent Council.
Scotland’s Colleges further supports the view that appointment to the council
should be made by an independent body modelled on and guided by the
principles used by The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in
Scotland and that there should, in addition to registered teachers, also be
council members representing those who employ teachers and those from other
parts of the education sector, including independent schools, Youth Work,
Colleges and Universities – colleges, in particular, given the increased activity in
college/school partnerships and the universities because of their involvement
with teacher education.
Q7: In terms of models the independent Council could adopt, do you prefer Model 1
or Model 2, a variant of either model, the status quo, or something completely
different?
Scotland’s Colleges support the openness and transparency of Model 2, with
additional appointment categories and a strengthened appointment process to
support the move towards an independent status that will enable the views of a
wide number of stakeholders to be heard.
West Lothian College
Q8: In considering the composition of the current Council, do you think that there are
groups missing from whose input the Council would benefit?
Scotland’s Colleges strongly support the proposal that a number of groups
should be considered for inclusion in the Council, including:
Support for Learning Assistants
Classroom Assistants
Youth Workers
Community Education Workers
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Learning and Teaching Scotland
Section 3.4 - Other relevant issues
Q9: Do you have any comments relating to the issues raised in this section?
Q10: Do you believe the length of time individuals should be allowed to serve on
Council should be capped?
Scotland’s Colleges believe that the GTCS should be bound by the convention
that members do not serve more than two terms except under exceptional
circumstances, which would mean that there was insufficient expertise to carry
out the work of the Council.
The creation of committees, which would spread the workload and allow the
development of greater expertise by more individuals, should also be bound by
the convention that members do not serve more than two terms.
West Lothian College
Space for additional comments
Space for any additional comments that respondents would like to make about the
future status of the GTCS.
With regard to the changes associated with the introduction of a Curriculum for
Excellence, the GTCS will need to consider major changes to its remit and to be
granted the flexibility to make those changes within a strong framework of
accountability.
One change which Scotland’s Colleges believe is essential is the extension of
the role of the GTCS to cover the Support for Learning Assistant and Classroom
Assistants professionals.
Given the majority of college lecturers who are not registered with GTCS,
Scotland’s Colleges would not support any extension to the role of the GTCS
with respect to colleges and their staff. Rather, Scotland’s Colleges would
welcome an acknowledgement by the Council of the equivalence in
professionalism, knowledge and expertise of lecturers and Support for Learning
Assistants to those teaching and supporting in schools and universities.