Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order confers additional functions on the General Teaching Council for England, a body corporate established by section 1(1) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998. The Council’s functions include establishing and maintaining a register of teachers, issuing a Code of Practice laying down the standards of professional conduct and practice expected of registered teachers, exercising disciplinary powers in relation to registered teachers and persons applying for registration and giving advice about teaching issues to the Secretary of State and others.
The additional functions conferred by this Order are to assist the Secretary of State with his function of determining whether a person is a qualified teacher under section 218(2) of the Education Reform Act 1988. They comprise the following:
where the Secretary of State so requests, giving him advice, assistance and recommendations about the award of qualified teacher status to individuals;
giving information and advice to the public about obtaining qualified teacher status; and
where the Secretary of State so requests, carrying out administrative tasks connected with the award of qualified teacher status.