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NEWS


 


 


When will I complete my five-yearly Professional Update?


 


Registered teachers will be required to complete Professional Update on a five-yearly cycle as follows:


 


• 2014/2015 – teachers with registration years ending in 9 or 4;


• 2015/2016 – teachers with registration years ending in 0 or 5;


• 2016/2017 – teachers with registration years ending in 6 or 1;


• 2017/2018 – teachers with registration years ending in 7 or 2;


• 2018/2019 – teachers with registration years ending in 8 or 3.


 


I am a supply teacher/on maternity leave/long-term sickness/career break


 


The NASUWT has continued to highlight the importance of ensuring that teachers who may have difficulty accessing professional development and the PRD process, such as supply teachers or teachers on a career break or long-term sickness absence, are not disadvantaged as a result of Professional Update. Further guidance has been published by the GTCS for supply teachers and employers on completing Professional Update.


 


The GTCS has confirmed that teachers unable to complete the sign-off process in a given year because of circumstances such as maternity leave, career break or sickness will be able to apply to defer Professional Update for a period of one year. Further guidance will be published for teachers wishing to defer. The NASUWT is still engaged in discussions with the GTCS over the process which should be followed for teachers undergoing competence procedures.


 


What guidance and advice is available to support me?


 


The GTCS is publishing detailed advice on professional learning opportunities that teachers might engage at www.gtcs.org.uk/professional- update/professional-learning.aspx.


 


The GTCS has revised the suite of Professional Standards to ensure they offer constructive support for teachers as they consider how they might develop their professional knowledge and skills through on-going self evaluation and professional learning.


 


While full registration continues to be the benchmark of teacher competence, the GTCS has developed Standards which move beyond this baseline to support teachers’ skill development throughout their careers. Teachers are expected to reflect on their progress and development needs against the Professional Standards during the Professional Update process. Further guidance is at www.gtcs.org.uk/standards/reflective-questions.aspx


 


What should I be doing now?


 


All local authorities should have been diseminating information and engaging the workforce in the implementation of Professional Update.


 


The NASUWT has been supporting Local Association Secretaries to ensure that Professional Update is being implemented in an appropriate way and this support will continue.


 


Local Association Secretaries have been working with employers to press for:


 


• equitable access to professional learning for supply and temporary teachers;


• the provision of effective IT systems to support the PRD process;


• adequate time for employers to discuss new procedures with staff;


• high-quality guidance and support for schools.


 


Further support Contact the NASUWT Scotland National Centre on 0131 226 8480 or email rc-scotland@mail.nasuwt.org.uk


 

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