Fully Registered (General)

The default status for all currently Fully Registered teachers and college lecturers is that of Fully Registered (General) and this is what will be required to teach in schools, colleges, and for posts which involve judging the quality of schools or teachers.

In terms of Professional Update, the status of Fully Registered (General) requires the following:

• On an ongoing basis:
  Self-evaluation against the appropriate Professional Standards
  Engagement in ongoing Professional Learning
  Maintaining a reflective professional learning record and associated evidence of impact
  Engagement in the Professional Review and Development process

• On an annual basis:
  Updating your details held on the GTC Scotland register including checking that your personal and employment details are up to date.
• On a 5-yearly basis
  Signing off to confirm engagement in the process with GTC Scotland (by the individual and their line manager)

Fully Registered (Associate)

The  Fully Registered (Associate) status option is for those holding full registration who do not wish to remain in the General category because of circumstances. Anyone considering this option may choose to contact us to discuss their specific circumstances if they are unsure if Associate Status is right for them.

Associate Status could be appropriate for those who wish to remain on our Register and:

• have retired from education and will not engage in any further teaching (please note that if you have retired from your substantive post, but may undertake supply teaching, if is a requirement to engage in Professional Update and retain Fully Registered (General) status)
• are not currently working or not working in an educational "front line" context
• are working outwith Scotland with no intention of returning within the foreseeable future

Teachers with Associate Status are not required to complete the five yearly sign off process for Professional Update. As they remain on the GTC Scotland Register, registrants with Associate status are required to update their details annually and to act appropriately in terms of the Professional Values and Personal Commitment section of the Standards. Although not required, those with Associate status may, if they wish, participate in ongoing professional development, record their professional learning and associated evidence of impact, and use the GTC Scotland Professional Standards. MyPL is available for those who wish to use it for these purposes, and can be accessed through your MyGTCS account.

In summary registrants with Fully Registered (Associate) status requires:

• On an annual basis:
  • to update their details held on the GTCS register through their MyGTCS account
• On an ongoing basis:
  • to maintain the appropriate Professional Values and Personal Commitment set out in the appropriate Professional Standards

Importantly like all other teachers they will continue to be subject to Fitness to Teach requirements.

It will be open to the individual to seek return to the Fully Registered General status at any time following the guidelines as set by GTC Scotland.

A teacher who opts for Associate status may transfer to General status as follows:

• Less than five years since becoming Associate: at any time by contacting GTC Scotland. At this point your PU sign-off year will be reset. In most cases PU sign-off will be required during the current academic session.   
• Between five and 10 years: by meeting a quality threshold through agreeing a professional learning plan with a GTC Scotland Officer. You may also wish to consider undertaking a GTC Scotland accredited 'Return to Teaching' course. Contact professional.update@gtcs.org.uk for details.   
• More than 10 years: by meeting a quality threshold through undertaking an accredited GTC Scotland 'Return to Teaching' course and then contacting GTC Scotland. Contact professional.update@gtcs.org.uk for details.