Features- Unmissable online or in person
- The whole world in our hands
- The picture of success
- Could schools power future success?
- We prepare young citizens of the world
- Take control of your career
- PVG and your registration
- How LTS supports implementation
- Annie Lennox to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS
- Scottish Learning Festival 2010
- A natural solution
- Independence and beyond
- Maintaining momentum
- Weight of responsibility
- Business as usual
- Policy with a parental perspective
- A group perspective
- The broad spectrum of the classroom
- New Council lays foundations
- Looking ahead to the future
- Making all the right connections
- Stamp of approval
- Providing a guiding light
Knowing me, knowing you
Issue 30
Teaching Scotland journalist
A dedicated communication team works at GTCS to get to know you, and make sure you know all about us. In this feature we take a closer look.
The what and why
Our Corporate Communication Strategy aims to deliver the Council's vision for the teaching profession through open and accountable activities.
It is central to the organisation that we create strong and effective communication structures that will reach teachers and educational stakeholders so that we heighten awareness of what the Council actually does on behalf of teachers.
How do we do that?
It is important that we respond to issues and react to events. We do that through a number of channels from our diverse events programme and publications to our web activity and national meetings.
Communication is about more than just informing and sharing,it's also about listening
Communication is about more than just informing and sharing,it's also about listening; that's what our communication activity attempts to do so that the Council is better informed and able to respond to the needs and aspirations of the profession.
We work closely as a team here, enhancing overall communication by the strength of each of our individual areas; all with the central aim of delivering a high quality service for teachers.
Online, on message, on demand
The GTCS website, www.gtcs.org.uk, is a portal for a huge amount of news, information and resources that teachers and other stakeholders need.
From guidance on how to become a teacher, through to registration and ongoing professional standards, the website is the first port of call for some 45,000 internet users a month.
In addition, a more personalised My GTCS section allows users to sign in, access and update personal details.
www.gtcs.org.uk has grown significantly over the years, and plans are now afoot to restructure and redesign the site to make it even easier to navigate and find the information you need.
Media relations . . . speaking for and to teachers
Media relations work is sometimes viewed as a dark art, a mystical world of spin. The reality is much simpler and more honest.
GTCS receives regular requests from newspapers, TV and radio journalists to comment on education issues. The media relations team reviews these requests and decides which to respond to. This can be an opportunity to speak to the wider public about our work on behalf of teachers.
We also handle a large volume of media enquiries around conduct and competence cases held at Clerwood House. This is often a less positive aspect of the work we do, but necessary nonetheless. We make sure that the media understand each case, cover the detail accurately, and are aware that the vast majority of teachers never come near our disciplinary processes.
Our most important media relations role is to inform teachers about the work of GTCS. It is important that you know what your membership fee is spent on and how GTCS works hard on your behalf.
Media relations is a wide ranging discipline with a lot of competing and overlapping influences and it is a central part of what GTCS does to communicate with teachers.
Teaching Scotland - straight to your door
Our magazine is sent direct to the homes of every registered teacher in Scotland, as well as a number of other key decision makers in the profession.
As GTCS' main correspondence with teachers, the magazine contains important and often statutory information that we are obliged to communicate. It also carries stories on research, professional standards and professional and personal development.
In an age when more and more communication is delivered online, Teaching Scotland continues to provide an important channel for GTCS. Because of the demographic of our audience, many of our stakeholders prefer to receive a magazine.
That is not to say we ignore the opportunities that technology provides us with. Plans are advanced to relaunch the online supplement in the new academic year, giving the audience access to interactive functions such as opinion polls and discussion threads.
Meet the Communications team
Glenise Borthwick
As head of communications, Glenise has overall responsibility for the development and delivery of our communication strategy. As well as overseeing and supporting each of the channels, Glenise benchmarks our activities against other similar bodies and develops our operations accordingly.
Kelly Forbes
Kelly co-ordinates all of our communication activity, including the production of information leaflets and booklets, application forms and marketing materials. Kelly also has responsibility for ensuring our brand guidelines are followed in all of our output, and building and maintaining our extensive picture library.
Alison McWilliams
Our events manager creates and delivers a diverse programme of activities throughout the year, from our National Lecture and Conference to a myriad of visits from international delegates keen to learn from GTCS.
Martin Osler and Kelly Paterson
Martin and Kelly look after media relations, making sure all enquiries are dealt with appropriately. They also advise GTCS on their direct dealings with journalists.
Angela Hamilton
Angela and the small team in Web Services look after all online communications. The GTCS website contains an extensive resource of information, which they maintain and develop to meet the needs of users and the Council.
Daniel Lambie
Daniel edits Teaching Scotland magazine, co-ordinating all aspects of its production, distribution and ongoing development.
Our hints and tips for better communications
Our Communications Team has compiled some top tips on how to improve your magazine and on writing a news story: Communications tips (PDF, 1.1MB)
Related websites
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they do feel that fostering a sense of global citizenship in the classroom can have a long-term, positive effect on the wider world?
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Latest comment...
would like to knowthe GTCS view on this scenario. I agree with Steve its a last option!
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