Teachers work in a complex and dynamic society. This means that teachers need to be critically informed, have professional values and knowledge and take actions that ensure a positive impact on learners and learning. Teachers therefore need opportunities to develop in order to address these changing demands.
The most successful education systems invest in developing their teachers as reflective, accomplished and enquiring professionals who are able, not simply to teach successfully in relation to current external expectations, but who have the capacity to engage fully with the complexities of education and to be key actors in shaping and leading educational change.
Teaching Scotland's Future: Report of a review of teacher education in Scotland, G Donaldson, Scottish Government (2011)
Scottish education recognises the importance of high quality career-long professional learning for all teachers. In recognition of this national partners are working together to inform and support the teaching profession.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland’s (GTCS) Professional Standards and supporting guidance have been developed to support self-evaluation within professional learning. As teachers progress through their careers, the Standards can be used to identify, plan and develop professional learning, ensure continuing development of professional practice as part of the PRD process and help to prepare for a variety of roles. This guidance and the Framework for Educational Leadership have been developed not as stand-alone resources but to be used in conjunction with the Professional Standards to support self-evaluation and professional learning.
It is vital that engagement with the Professional Standards, this Career-long Professional Learning guidance and the Framework for Educational Leadership is underpinned by effective Professional Review and Development (PRD) and Professional Update processes.