Opportunities to contribute to the work of GTC Scotland - Next steps

In April 2012, GTC Scotland will become the world's first independent selfregulating professional body for teaching.

Council Election 2011

Nominations for the 19 registered teachers to stand for the Thirteenth Council have now been received.

Keep an eye on the GTC Scotland website at www.gtcs.org.uk/election where we will shortly share with you the names of all of the nominees to help you decide who to vote for.

Now it's down to you!

Your vote is important. Voting for your preferred candidate to represent your category on the new, independent Council will have a significant impact on shaping the future of teaching and the teaching profession in Scotland.

Those elected will have a unique opportunity to influence the direction of the new, independent Council in taking forward:

  • a fully supportive system of Professional Update for teachers
  • promoting teacher professionalism and accomplished teaching
  • developing policy in respect of national issues such as Curriculum for Excellence, the Donaldson Review of Teacher Education, and the McCormac Review of Teacher Employment as they impact on teaching standards

The deadline for teachers who want to change their election/voting category is 31 October 2011.

What do you need to do now?

Make sure:

  • you are in the correct election/voting category in order to vote
  • that your contact details are up-to-date so we can send you information on candidates and how to vote for them. Log in to MyGTCS to check your contact details and your election/voting category.

Don't worry:

  1. if your election/voting category and/or contact details are different to what is recorded at MyGTCS - you can update your contact details and request a change to your election/voting category via MyGTCS
  2. if you don't have a MyGTCS account - sign up for one now

Key election 2011-2012 diary dates

  • 31 October 2011 - Closing date for electors; by this date all electors must be in the appropriate election category
  • 21 November 2011 - Ballot papers issued (including information relating to voting online or by post)
  • 14 December 2011 - Closing date for receipt of votes online or ballot papers by post
  • 19 December 2011 (or as soon as possible after this date) Publication of results
  • February/March 2012 - Induction (two days) and initial meeting of the new Council and Training of committees / panels (dates for the above to be announced)
  • 2 April 2012 - New Council takes up office

Compensation payment

  • Council, Panel and Appeals Board members may be eligible to claim a compensation payment of £75 for each half-day (up to 3.5 hours) for attendance at agreed Council, committee or panel meetings or training events (This rate is currently under review)
  • Members will be refunded all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with GTC Scotland business.

What will happen next?

Voting Process

A ballot paper will be sent out by post by 21 November 2011 to all teachers on the register relating to the voting category against their name on the register on 31 October 2011.

This will be accompanied by a document containing details of all the candidates and their election statements in that particular category.

The ballot paper will contain information on how to vote online or by post.

Voting Online

  1. The ballot paper will:
    • give the relevant website address where teachers can vote online
    • contain a two-part security code number unique to the teacher to whom it has been sent. The teacher will require to enter both parts of the security code number in order to gain access to the voting page on the relevant website
  2. The website will then give clear instructions on how to select the chosen candidates and submit the vote
  3. The online voting service will be available 24 hours a day until noon on Wednesday 14 December 2011
  4. The electronic votes are received by Electoral Reform Services, the Independent Scrutineer

Voting by post

A pre-paid envelope will be enclosed for the return of the ballot paper by post to Electoral Reform Services, the Independent Scrutineer.

Ballot papers must be received by the Independent Scrutineer no later than noon on Wednesday 14 December 2011.

Appointment of Adjudicating Panel and Appeals Board members

Our current invitation round has now closed for applications for the appointed lay Council member, and registered teacher and lay Adjudicating Panel and Appeals Board member vacancies for the new, independent Council.

Our Appointments Committee will be conducting interviews throughout November and December 2011 to select those who will serve in these positions from 2 April 2012.

Those who are appointed will serve for a four-year term. They will have a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the work of the new, independent Council in ensuring the maintenance of high standards in teaching and learning, and the protection of children and young people.

In the meantime, keep a watchful eye on the Council's website at www.gtcs.org.uk/appointments where we will keep you up-to-date on what is happening with the appointments process and any further opportunities to work with us that may arise.

Key appointment process dates

  • From November to December 2011 - Interviews to be held in Edinburgh
  • Shortly after the final interview date - Offers of appointment to be issued to successful candidates
  • Mid-January 2012 - Written confirmation of acceptance of appointment required
  • March 2012 - Training of Adjudicating Panels and Appeals Board (two days -
    dates to be announced)
  • 2 April 2012 - Adjudicating Panels and Appeals Board take up office

More Information

on the appointments process is available on the Council's website at www.gtcs.org.uk/appointments

issue 42
october 2011