Always the best policy

Issue 31

Photo of John Anderson

John Anderson, Head of Professional Practice, GTCS

Central to the professionalism of teachers is a need to be open, honest and transparent at all times.

Man taking notes

Honesty and integrity are central to a teacher's professionalism and the level of trust expected of them. It is essential for teachers to ensure that the information they provide for job applications or applications for registration is honest and accurate.

This aspect of honesty and integrity sits alongside things such as making expenses claims and the handling of school property or pupil's money or school funds.

Providing professional information

Section one of the Code of Professionalism and Conduct (COPAC) stresses the need for teachers to be honest in terms of providing professional information. Paragraph 1.5 of the Code states that teachers 'should always be honest and accurate when providing professional information about colleagues or yourself, particularly when applying for posts or in your dealings with the Council and employers'.

GTC Scotland has in the past removed teachers from the register in cases where it has been found that false information has been provided in a reference or job application. Such cases have varied in the level of dishonesty from small amendments being made to references, to entire references being created or references fraudulently signed and submitted in the name of a referee who had no knowledge of the application.

Falsifying or amending

It is important to note that it is not only acts such as falsifying a referee's signature or an entire reference which could be considered unprofessional and lead to serious consequences regarding a teacher's registration. It would also be inappropriate to amend the wording of existing references, omitting details or even adding information which may be factually accurate, but which was not originally included by a referee when writing a reference. You should be mindful whenever you are submitting references that, if a colleague or former colleague has provided information in the form of a reference for you, then it is for them alone to amend any of the details given in their name.

Protecting vulnerable groups

The introduction in the future of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme will further enhance safe recruitment of all those working with children and young people. Therefore references, together with Enhanced Disclosure and employment history checks, as well as performance at interview, are all integral parts of the recruitment process for teachers.

The importance of honesty

Employers and the public have the right to expect that information submitted for the purpose of obtaining teaching posts is true and references are bona fide; for this reason employers and GTC Scotland will always treat any deliberate attempts to deceive when applying for jobs or registration very seriously.

It is also worth remembering that in circumstances where an individual does provide false information this disadvantages other applicants who have been honest, truthful and professional throughout the process.

Related websites

Copies of COPAC have been sent to all schools and colleges and can be found at www.gtcs.org.uk/copac

For more information on professional conduct, please visit www.gtcs.org.uk/professionalconduct

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Latest comment...

would like to knowthe GTCS view on this scenario. I agree with Steve its a last option!