Standards - GTCE Closure Will Not Jeopardise Teacher Supply, Says REC Education

The abolition of the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) from 31 March 2012 was confirmed in a letter this week from its Chief Executive Alan Meyric . The new Teaching Agency will take on some of the GTCE’s remit, but there will no longer be a formal registration scheme for teachers.

Commenting on the implications of the change, John Dunn, Chair of REC Education says:

"The closure of the GTCE should have no real impact on the safe and effective supply of teaching staff. The feedback from most supply agencies is that, although the registration scheme had got better, it’s main impact was to create significant cost and bureaucracy.

"The focus now must be on two areas that can really make a difference to the safe recruitment agenda. The first is to continue raising awareness amongst schools and local authorities of the need to use agencies with a clear commitment to the highest industry standards – particularly with regards to vetting procedures. The second is to ensure that new procurement mechanisms and cost cutting priorities do not jeopardise the safety and quality of supply.

"REC Education will look to work constructively with the new Teaching Agency and will continue to take these messages forward through ongoing dialogue with Government, schools, local authorities and teacher organisations."

The Teaching Agency - a new executive agency of the Department for Education – will take over some of the GTCE's remit, such as the award of the QTS, induction certificates and handling disciplinary cases. It will maintain a database of who has been awarded QTS and a list of those prohibited from teaching. 

For the most up-to-date information and guidance, visit the GTCE’s website on www.gtce.org.uk

For more information on REC Education go to: http://www.rec.uk.com/regions-sectors/sectors/education/join

For more information on the REC's work to continue enhancing industry standards, go to: http://www.rec.uk.com/about-recruitment/standards