Information for schools

Headteachers must not agree to begin an induction period for teachers unless they have confirmation that:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) has been awarded;
• the teacher is registered with the General Teaching Council (GTC).

If teachers have successfully completed initial training, they will receive a certificate that confirms QTS but it is unlikely that this will have been sent by the time the school decides to appoint the teacher. At the time of appointment the teacher should be advised that statutory induction cannot commence until the teacher provides their certificate to show that QTS has been awarded.

The new induction regulations that take effect from September 2008 make it clear that it is for headteachers to check registration and qualification details of teachers they have appointed, or wish to appoint.

It is now possible for schools to use the GTC Employer Access service (https://www.gtce.org.uk/employeraccess/) to view the registration and qualifications of teachers in their school.

By using Employer Access, schools can view and print off a list of all teachers who are recorded as being employed at the school on the GTC Register. At a glance schools will be able to check the following:

• Award of QTS;
• GTC registration status;
• Any restrictions that apply – such as suspensions, prohibitions or barrings from teaching.

It is also possible to check QTS and registration for a newly-appointed teacher, or one the school wishes to appoint.

This service is in line with the Government’s Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education guidance. It does not exempt schools from the other checks that must be made for all staff; for example, Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), List 99, identity and health checks.

For security and maintenance reasons the service is only available to users from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

The GTC have published a guide to using the service (Ref. P-EA01-0308) and this can be obtained by request, which can be emailed to 2info@gtce.org.uk.

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