GTC Scotland Election 2015/2016
Candidate Information and Election Statements
Category II – Teachers (including headteachers)
in Secondary Schools in Scotland
(8 candidates)
Please note: 1
The following information has been provided by candidates. The Returning Officer is not responsible for the correctness or
otherwise of any statement made by, or for any omission from the information provided in respect of, any candidate.
2
The information shown indicates the post and educational establishment in which candidates were employed at 22 September
2015 in the election category for which they are seeking election.
Candidate
Richard J A Bell
Post held at
22 September 2015
Teacher of Geography
Educational establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Castle Douglas High School,
Castle Douglas
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held
Teaching Qualifications
held

BSc (Hons)

PGCSE

MSc in Professional Enquiry:
School Leadership and
Management

Scottish Qualification
for Headship
Election Statement
I am an experienced classroom teacher with a strong desire to see that the principles enshrined in our professional standards are
applied with equity.
Integrity, trust and mutual respect are the keystones of a genuinely collegiate profession, and I would strive to ensure that these are
emphasised through my work with the GTCS.
I have had extensive experience of representing the interests of teachers both at local and national level, serving on a number of
policy and executive committees.
I believe that I have the right mix of skills, experience and principles to ensure that your interests are effectively represented.
2
Candidate
Allan T J Connell
Post held at
22 September 2015
Teacher of Modern Studies
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

Earlston High School,
Earlston
BA (Hons) Politics and Social
Policy – Newcastle University
Teaching Qualifications
held

PGDE (Secondary
Modern Studies) –
University of
Strathclyde
Election Statement
I am a Kilmarnock native who now happily lives and works in the Borders as a Modern Studies teacher.
As an early career practitioner who has taught in the South Korean education system and worked in corporate environments before
entering Scottish teaching, I feel I have unique insights and experiences I can bring to the GTCS. It is my intention to use these to
improve the perception of teaching in Scotland while greatly contributing to bettering the work the council undertakes for its
members. I will tirelessly work to ensure the focus remains in enhancing teaching, learning and upholding professionalism.
Candidate
Karen J Farrell
Post held at
22 September 2015
Teacher (Chartered Teacher)
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Lornshill Academy, Alloa
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

BA (Hons) Applied Consumer
Studies

MEd Advanced Professional
Studies
Teaching Qualifications
held

Post Graduate
Certificate Education
(PGCE)
Election Statement
The GTCS is the teaching profession’s regulatory body playing a vital role in education policy and promoting teaching standards. I
am a classroom teacher and member of the current GTCS Council therefore I have developed an understanding of the role the
GTCS has in continuing to improve the quality of teaching in Scotland by engaging with teachers in their professional journey.
Teachers deserve to be represented at Council by members with knowledge and experience and I believe I am familiar with the
expectations of teachers in order to offer that support at all stages of their careers.
3
Candidate
Jason Fitzgerald
Post held at
22 September 2015
Depute Head Teacher
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Westhill Academy,
Westhill, Aberdeenshire
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

BSc (Hons) Applied Science

HND Applied Physics
Teaching Qualifications
held

PGCE (Sec) Physics
and Science
Election Statement
I have taught Physics and Science in schools across Aberdeenshire and City for more than 20 years and currently work as a Depute
Head Pupil Support at Westhill Academy.
I have developed a strong understanding of the workings of GTCS and the impact it has on the professional lives of teachers and the
learning experiences of our youngsters. Developments in Initial Teacher Education, the Standards and Professional Update have
been challenging and led by GTCS.
I firmly believe we need a strong voice from, and within, GTCS in this time of great change to support colleagues.
Candidate
David Innes
Post held at
22 September 2015
Head Teacher
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Harlaw Academy,
Aberdeen
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

Scottish Qualification for Headship

Master of Education (with
distinction)

Bachelor of Science
Teaching Qualifications
held
Post graduate certificate in
secondary education
Election Statement
I have worked for over 30 years in a variety of secondary schools in NE Scotland and lead work in enterprise education,
CfE and children’s rights. In 2013 I was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by UNICEF for work on rights education. I
currently serve on authority groups for: tackling bureaucracy, school security and developing Scotland’s workforce.
I am an EIS member and value the role of professional associations in building consensus and promoting collegiate
approaches. If elected I would work with GTCS to support career long learning which helps build and maintain the
confidence of the profession.
4
Candidate
Vicky A Lyon
Post held at
22 September 2015
Acting Principal Teacher
Support for Learning Teacher
(0.2 FTE/
0.8 Teacher)
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Lasswade High School,
Bonnyrigg, Midlothian
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

Doctorate in Education:
Developing Online Teacher
Communities for Communication
and Collaboration. The Open
University, 2014

Master in Education: Equality and
Diversity. (Specialist areas of
interest Dyslexia). The Open
University, 2005

Post-graduate Diploma: Pupil
Support. The University of
Aberdeen, 2012

Post-graduate Certificate: Mental
Health and Education. The
University of the West of
Scotland, (due to complete by
December 2015)

Post-graduate Certificate:
Special and Inclusive Education.
Moray House School of
Education, 2004

EIS Learning Representative
Programme. The University of
the West of Scotland, 2005

Chartered Teacher Status
awarded by the GTCS, 2007
Teaching Qualifications
held

Post-graduate
Certificate in Teacher
Education: Chemistry
and Science. Moray
House School of
Education, 1999
Election Statement
As an EIS sponsored candidate I am dedicated to supporting the development of a modern teaching profession. As a Chemistry and
Support for Learning Teacher I am proud that our children are taught by highly qualified GTCS registered teachers. I will argue for
the GTCS to use its powers to ensure teachers across Scotland have access to quality professional learning opportunities. The
GTCS has an important role in maintaining the professional standing of teachers but it is the council members who must give
teachers a voice in this process. As a council member I promise to make your voice heard.
5
Candidate
Kevin Penrose-Campbell
Post held at
22 September 2015
Teacher of Biology
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Kirkland High School,
Methil
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

BSc Environmental Ecology
Teaching Qualifications
held

PGCE Biology and
Science
Election Statement
I have been a secondary school teacher for fourteen years. During this time I have become increasingly interested in how our
profession is governed and in how our status as professionals is protected and enhanced.
I believe passionately that teachers themselves must ensure that it is our collective voice that is heard above all others when it
comes to guiding our profession through all the changes that will inevitably arise as we continue our drive towards raising our
st
professional standards into the 21 century.
During my fourteen years I have been an active member of the SSTA.
Candidate
Andrew L Smith
Post held at
22 September 2015
Head Teacher
Educational
establishment
in which employed at
22 September 2015
Carluke High School,
Carluke
Academic, Professional and
Technical Qualifications
held

BSc

SQH

MSc
Teaching Qualifications
held

PGCE Secondary
Mathematics
Election Statement
Our General Teaching Council has a strong international reputation, ensuring that the standard for entering the teaching profession
in Scotland remains high. Having served on the GTCS Appeals Panel and having served on full Council for the previous 2 years, I
have built a strong knowledge of the operation of the Council.
My involvement in local and national committees and working groups has given me the opportunity to develop an understanding of
the big issues currently facing Scottish education. In seeking your endorsement, I am confident that my experience will be a useful
asset to the operation of GTCS.