Author: Professional Learning

Teaching standards and professional guides

Teaching standards and professional guides

The 2021 professional standards have recently been republished. The content of the Standard for Provisional Registration remains the same, but we have more clearly articulated its role as the standard for programmes of initial teacher education, as well as setting mandatory requirements for registration with GTC Scotland.After stakeholder engagement and GTC Scotland Council consideration on 11 June 2026, our refreshed Engaging online guide has also been published as Engaging online, AI and expression of views . It is available on the GTC Scotland website in digital and PDF formats and will be sent to all registrants of GTC Scotland.

Why refresh the Engaging online guide?

The guide has been refreshed to reflect current professional expectations, COPAC, the Professional Standards and learning from the Fitness to teach insight report 2018–2023, particularly in relation to public and digital expression of views.

Our Professional guides explain teaching standards in practical contexts across the teacher journey, support sound professional judgement and help sustain public confidence in teaching as a trusted and respected profession.

We continue to welcome feedback on the guide which will be closely monitored in its first year of publication. Please email gtcs@gtcs.org.uk if you have any comments you wish to share.

A draft guide on professional boundaries is in development and will be shared with you for feedback in September 2026.

Thank you for supporting this work to embed teaching standards.

The 2021 professional standards have recently been republished. The content of the Standard for Provisional Registration remains the same, but we have more clearly articulated its role as the standard for programmes of initial teacher education, as well as setting mandatory requirements for registration with GTC Scotland.After stakeholder engagement and GTC Scotland Council consideration on 11 June 2026, our refreshed Engaging online guide has also been published as Engaging online, AI and expression of views . It is available on the GTC Scotland website in digital and PDF formats and will be sent to all registrants of GTC Scotland.

Why refresh the Engaging online guide?

The guide has been refreshed to reflect current professional expectations, COPAC, the Professional Standards and learning from the Fitness to teach insight report 2018–2023, particularly in relation to public and digital expression of views.

Our Professional guides explain teaching standards in practical contexts across the teacher journey, support sound professional judgement and help sustain public confidence in teaching as a trusted and respected profession.

We continue to welcome feedback on the guide which will be closely monitored in its first year of publication. Please email gtcs@gtcs.org.uk if you have any comments you wish to share.

A draft guide on professional boundaries is in development and will be shared with you for feedback in September 2026.

Thank you for supporting this work to embed teaching standards.

Gender-based Violence Early Intervention Programme & Equalities Policy Guide Professional Learning Programme

We are pleased to share information about two upcoming programmes from the Inclusion, Wellbeing and Equalities Team:

Gender-based Violence Early Intervention Programme – 24th September 2026 to 10th December 2026 (4 online twilight sessions)

The Gender-based Violence Early Intervention Professional Learning Programme is for primary practitioners looking to engage in early intervention approaches to prevent gender based violence. This programme aligns with the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme, providing a more cohesive, joined up approach to prevention across sectors. All programme details, including how to sign up, can be found on the programme webpage: Gender-based Violence Early Intervention | Professional learning programmes | Professional learning programmes, webinars and events | Professional Learning | Education Scotland

Equalities Policy Guide Professional Learning Programme – 30th September to 3rd June 2027 (7 online twilight sessions)

The Equalities Policy Guide Professional Learning Programme is designed to support practitioners to develop a robust, learner-informed equalities policy for their setting using the Equalities Policy Guide roadmap and supportive materials. This programme forms part of Education Scotland’s Equalities in Education suite of learning and resources and is relevant to practitioners from all educational sectors looking to lead on policy development.

The programme will benefit practitioners looking to develop leadership skills and increase understanding and confidence in relation to equalities and will contribute to whole-setting approaches to equalities work (e.g. preventing and responding to Gender-based Violence, anti-racist education and LGBT inclusion) and connects to key priorities such as Rights Respecting Schools, UNCRC. All programme details, including how to sign up, can be found on the programme webpage: Equalities Policy Guide | Professional learning programmes | Professional learning programmes, webinars and events | Professional Learning | Education Scotland

Healing Classrooms Course

We have a very unfortunate update. Our UK Healing Classrooms programme has struggled to find funding meaning the programme will come to an end in August 2026.

All sessions will unfortunately be cancelled and we instead ask you to join our Open University Healing Classrooms course which will stay live for years to come.

We know this news is shocking and we are devastated to no longer be able to run our training sessions which are more important than ever. We have been tirelessly searching and applying for funding but have been unsuccessful in our bids. We thank all of those who helped us in this endeavor for your efforts in offering to partner with us, sharing available funding opportunities and more.

Building Racial Literacy

Building Racial Literacy – applications open now, and close Friday 04 September!

For all professional levels

The national Building Racial Literacy programme promotes anti-racism as a baseline professional value, empowering educators to identify and implement anti-racist behaviours and processes in their everyday practice. The ultimate goal of the Building Racial Literacy programme is to make every educator in Scotland racially literate, effective at dealing with racism and confident in leading anti-racism.

SB Learn – Mandatory Training Update

*** 🚨SB Learn – Mandatory Training Update!🚨 ***

Our SBC mandatory training programme is currently under review. As a result of that, we have moved several modules out of the CORE training programme. For the time being, the only module that is mandatory for all staff to complete is the Prevent Refresher. We’ll give a further update on the mandatory training programme in the near future.

AI and Data Literacy

Our hugely popular AI and Data Literacy 4-day courses are kicking off again from September, for their fifth and possibly final year!! (We’re awaiting the decision on our project funding continuing…cross your fingers for us!)

 

What previous cohorts have said about the course:

  • “I’ll struggle to find more enjoyable, worthwhile and welcoming CPD!”
  • “To ALL teachers (not just for CS teachers!): This is a really engaging and worthwhile course to attend. I learned a lot – probably the best professional learning course I have been on.”
  • “Whether you know anything about data/AI literacy or not, come on this course and you will be amazed! Your mind will be opened to a new way of engaging your pupils across all areas of the curriculum.”

 

As part of our funding conditions, we have four places reserved for SBC teachers and/or senior leaders (two Primary, two Secondary), so please do take them up or they will be released to other local authorities! This means the course is free to attend (catering included) and we will offer 50% of the cost of getting classroom cover.

 

The Secondary course dates are:

  • Wednesday 16th September 2026
  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • Tuesday 3rd November 2026
  • Wednesday 2nd December 2026

For details and to apply for the Secondary course visit https://dataschools.education/ai-and-data-literacy-courses-for-secondary-2026/. Teachers in all subject areas welcome!

 

The Primary course dates are:

  • Thursday 24th September 2026
  • Wednesday 18th November 2026
  • Tuesday 26th January 2027
  • Wednesday 17th March 2027

For details and to apply for the Primary course visit https://dataschools.education/ai-and-data-literacy-courses-for-primary-2026-2027/

 

All sessions will be in-person and held in the Edinburgh Futures Institute, 9am-3pm, though arrangements can be made for virtual attendance on a case by case basis, just get in touch. As we are kicking off soon, please apply as soon as possible if you’re interested! Feel free to reach out to Jasmeen (jasmeen.kanwal@ed.ac.uk) if you have any questions.