General Teaching Council for Scotland launches revised Professional Standards

General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) launches revised Professional Standards

A suite of revised Professional Standards for teachers was launched by GTC Scotland this week, which will replace the current four Standards in August 2013.  The revised Standards require teachers to demonstrate Knowledge, skill and action in outdoor learning:

The Standards for Registration (incorporating the Standard for Provisional Registration and the Standard for Full Registration)

3.1.3 Employ a range of teaching strategies and resources to meet the needs and abilities of learners Student teachers: demonstrate that they can select and use a wide variety of resources and teaching approaches, including digital technologies and outdoor learning opportunities; Registered teachers: skilfully deploy a wide variety of innovative resources and teaching approaches, including digital technologies and, where appropriate, actively seeking outdoor learning opportunities;

3.2.1 Create a safe, caring and purposeful learning environment Student teachers: use outdoor learning opportunities, including direct experiences of nature and other learning within and beyond the school boundary; Student teachers: know about and be able to apply health and safety regulations as appropriate to their role.
Registered teachers: use outdoor learning opportunities, including direct experiences of nature and other learning within and beyond the school boundary; Registered teachers:  know about and apply appropriately health and safety regulations as an integral part of professional practice.

The Standard for Career-Long Professional Learning

Key area (i) Pedagogy, learning and subject knowledge;  understand and develop the most appropriate contexts and environments for learning including outdoor learning, and be able to apply appropriate pedagogies for these environments.