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NEWS


 


 


Professional Update – are you ready?


 


Professional Update begins rolling out from the start of this new academic year. Teachers should ensure they are aware of their rights and responsibilities and understand what Professional Update means for them.


 


What is Professional Update?


 


Professional Update requires the following of teachers:


 


• an annual update of contact details to the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS);


• engagement in professional learning and development;


• self-evaluation against the appropriate GTCS Professional Standard;


• discussion of this engagement and the impact of this, as part of the professional review and development (PRD) process;


• maintenance of a professional learning record and portfolio of evidence;


• five-yearly confirmation of this engagement to the GTCS.


 


Professional Update is intended to maintain and improve the quality of teaching and to enhance teachers’ continued professionalism.


 


What is the NASUWT’s view?


 


The NASUWT has been clear that Professional Update must not pose an additional workload burden for teachers and that it must offer teachers opportunities to participate in high-quality career-long professional learning which supports them to achieve their career aspirations and develop their skills.


 


The Union has been clear that it must operate as a genuine dialogue between teachers and reviewers, in which teachers take ownership of their professional learning.


 


Professional Update focuses on continuous improvement rather than on determining whether a teacher is, or has remained, competent.


 


The NASUWT has been working closely with the GTCS and other stakeholders to ensure that Professional Update, in conjunction with local authority procedures for PRD, will provide a consistent experience for teachers. The NASUWT has been involved in local authority validation processes.


 


What should be happening in my school or local authority?


 


Schools and local authorities should be operating a PRD system which is supportive and developmental, not punitive.


 


A positive PRD system should:


 


• be a continuous process, not just an annual review;


• allow teachers to take responsibility for their own development needs;


• support discussions to take place in an atmosphere of trust;


• offer training for both those participating in and undertaking a review;


• be based on a clear and non- bureaucratic recording system for PRD;


• support reflection using the new GTCS standards;


• include a suitable appeals process.


 

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