Towards a new member-led College of Teaching 1

What would be in it for teachers? The Claim Your College proposal suggests the following although the members ultimately decide what this body will do for them Professional Development Better access to high quality professional development and learning A respected portfolio to show professional impact Guidance from a College Mentor Recognised by Schools Schools committing to access to professional learning and accreditation Schools committing to sector-led standards, peer-to- peer review Professional Knowledge Pooling knowledge of the best way to help pupils succeed Drawing upon academic research and making this available to professionals Contributing to a growing knowledge base to help all professionals Professional Standards Respected standards with validity and portability Accreditation against sector-led standards Career development opportunities 2

The College must be: Independent Voluntary The arbiter of the highest standards of evidence- informed practice Run by teachers for the ultimate benefit of learners Subject to a governance model that ensures no single interest group can dominate Trusted to act as an informed and single voice to represent the profession in debates on policy and practice 3

The College will benefit members by offering: Professional standards. Members will be accredited against valid, portable, respected, sector-led standards; these will provide opportunities for career development, confer status and inspire respect Professional development. The College will provide a career pathway that informs access to high-quality professional development and learning, and enable its members to build a validated portfolio documenting professional impact supported by a College Mentor Professional knowledge. The College will provide access to a quality assured professional knowledge base, drawing from academic research and teachers’ judgement of the best ways to help children succeed in specific contexts Recognition by schools. Organisational affiliation will demonstrate a school’s commitment to providing access to professional learning and accreditation, including peer-to-peer review A common code of practice which reflects aspirational standards of teaching, an evidence-informed approach to practice, ethical behaviour, promotion of the profession and the best possible opportunities for learners. 4

How will it differ from the GTC? Although they are interested to support, College of Teaching is NOT a government initiative and will be independent Membership will be voluntary It will be governed by its members to support them in raising standards of professional practice The organisation will focus on aspiration, development and recognition, not regulation and striking-off It will provide a point of stability through changes in policy and fashion. 5

Common questions (i) How does the new College relate to the existing College of Teachers? The existing college holds the Royal Charter for teachers’ professional development. It is committed to being completely transformed through broad, inclusive partnership, into the new college. It is using the powers of its Royal Charter to give the highest level of authority and legitimacy to the process of transformation, and to the work being undertaken by partners, and will lead the process of getting a new Royal Charter for the new college. 6

Common questions (ii) Why do some people refer to a ‘Royal College of Teaching’? Initial discussions referred to this name but applying to use the word ‘Royal’ in the title is a separate process from getting a new Royal Charter. It would be up to members of the future College whether to request this name, the granting of which is strictly controlled by Royal Prerogative. 7

Common questions (iii) How much would membership cost? This depends on the take-up and costs in the early years of the College, but initial models and estimates are around £70 per year at entry level, rising for (chartered)Fellows to around £150. Who is funding the start-up costs? The plan is to approach a large number of funders to provide start-up support, including prospective members. Eventually the college would be funded through professional membership subscriptions. 8

Where are we now? The initial consultations, facilitated by the Prince’s Teaching Institute brought hundreds of teachers together with unions, subject associations, and dozens of other influential bodies that support teachers The grass-roots campaign to build a new College (#claimyourcollege) has been supported to date by the existing College of Teachers, the Prince’s Teaching Institute, the Teacher Development Trust and the SSAT Critically we need to harness the support of teachers, school leaders and organisations to join the campaign A proposal has been developed in response to the DfE call for expressions of interest in Dec 2014 Consultation and communications on that proposal continue with the wider profession. 9

What can you do? Hold an event in your school to get people talking and raise awareness Critically we need to harness the support of teachers, school leaders and organisations to join the campaign Register your interest and keep up with latest developments at Join in on Twitter using #claimyourcollege 10

Towards a new member-led College of Teaching 11