This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Teaching council members appointed
11/10/2001
Six new appointments have been made to the tenth General
Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
Education Minister Jack McConnell's nominations for
appointment are: Mr Ephraim Borowski; Ms Joyce Cullen; Mrs
Sylvia Hehir; Mr Peter Hughes; Mr Mark Irvine; and Mrs Jean
Smeaton. All six will serve for the four-year term of the
Council from November 2001.
Welcoming the appointments, Mr McConnell said:
"The GTCS has a crucial and developing role in driving
up standards in the teaching profession, helping to create
a better education for our children.
"They carry a great responsibility in modernising
teaching in Scotland, a responsibility that can only be met
by having a Council of quality and vision. In making these
appointments I wanted to ensure that the interests of
parents, employers, and children and young people with
special educational needs are well represented on the
GTCS.
"I am therefore pleased to announce these nominees, as
their outstanding range of expertise and experience can
only bring benefit to the Council for the challenges
ahead."
He concluded:
"I would also like to record my thanks to the outgoing
members for their commitment to the Council - their
dedication at a time of change was valuable."
BACKGROUND
- The General Teaching Council for Scotland is an
advisory NDPB responsible for the registration of
teachers in Scotland. As a result of the Standards in
Scotland's School Act 2000 the Council has been
reconstituted requiring existing members to leave
office by 31 October, and has been given an extended
role into the areas of continuing professional
development and incompetence and responsibility to
operate in the public interest.
- The nomination process was carried out under
guidance on public appointments from the Commissioner
for Public Appointments, and was publicly advertised.
The Minister's appointments are not representatives of
the Executive and are unpaid. Selection is made on the
basis of the range of expertise they can bring from a
variety of backgrounds which is unlikely to be
reflected in the elected or other appointed
members..
- The GTCS has 50 members, of which 26 are registered
teachers elected by the profession, 18 are appointed by
CoSLA, the Association of Directors of Education in
Scotland, the Scottish Council of Independent Schools,
the Association of Directors of Social Work in
Scotland, churches and universities. The remaining six
are the Minister's appointments. The Minister
previously had four appointments; this is the first
time he has six.
4. Biographical information on each of the Minister's
appointments is below:
Ephraim Borowski
Mr Borowski has extensive academic experience in the
field of Philosophy at high levels in various
Universities.
He has a particular interest in how Education responds
to Racial Equality issues and has worked on the development
of this issue with CERES. He also has experience in a range
of other voluntary positions.
Joyce Cullen
Mrs Cullen is a solicitor with Messers Brodies WS,
Edinburgh. She is an employment law specialist. She has
been re-appointed for a second term having served on the
Council as a member since February 1999. In this time she
was a member of the Communications and Disciplinary
Committees.
Sylvia Hehir
Mrs Hehir is currently working in the administration
side of her husband's musical instrument manufacture,
manages a project which runs music workshops with local
children, and is a supply teacher of Sciences. She has
worked in Special Needs education.
As a parent Mrs Hehir has been involved in her childrens
School Board and has been instrumental in the group set up
to campaign for a new Secondary School in her local area.
This has been successful and building of the new school is
underway.
Peter Hughes
Mr Hughes is Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering. He
has extensive experience of working with schools on the
link between education and manufacturing engineering. He
sits on several Government and other bodies representing
the engineering profession.
He is also Chair of the Board of Governors of New Park
School, St Andrews.
Mark Irvine
Mr Irvine is an independent adviser, writer and
commentator with a wide range of interest in all aspects of
public policy. A parent, he has extensive experience of
negotiations and change management through a career in
Trade Union and working with Local Government.
Jean Smeaton
Mrs Smeaton currently works as a Principal Teacher,
Support for Learning. She has almost 20 years experience in
teaching children with Special Education Needs and is
committed to safeguarding the interests of children with
SEN. She has worked with Angus Council on several groups to
represent them.
She also has experience of working on the Childrens
Panel.