Union slams revised code of practice for teachers in Wales

The largest teachers’ union in Wales has strongly criticised the launch of a revised code of practice.

The code, which can be downloaded here, was first introduced in 2002 by the General Teaching Council for Wales. It is designed to set out the key principles and standards of good conduct and practice for registered teachers in Wales.

The 2010 version, which will apply to nearly 40,000 teachers, combines the Statement of Professional Values and Practice with Professionalism in Practice into a single document. It also addresses issues such as how pupils and teachers interact on websites such as Facebook.

Disciplinary committees set up by the GTCW may take the code into account when determining a case, but it is not bound to do so.

The GTCW pointed out that the code sets out expectations on teachers in relation to their day-to-day behaviour and practice. “As such, it is equally relevant to the 99% of teachers who will never face a GTCW disciplinary investigation,” it said.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, claimed that the GTCW had “become a law unto itself, believing that it knows best, and can, therefore, ignore the voice of the teaching profession in Wales”.

Keates argued that the code was neither wanted nor needed, and represented a waste of public money.

“Just like its English counterpart, the GTCW appears determined to ‘dig its own grave’,” he added.

Rex Phillips, NASUWT Wales Organiser, said the union would refuse to attend the launch of the code as it did not wish to give it legitimacy, “not least, since it has been implemented in the face of a consultation process that revealed overwhelming opposition to its introduction”.