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4. Responding to the Consultation

4.1 Response Form

The response form is also available in MS Word format

We are inviting responses to this consultation by 26 June 2009.

It is possible to respond to this consultation by downloading this response form from www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations and then by sending the form to David.Roy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk . Alternatively respondents may remove chapter 4 from the consultation paper itself and send it to:

Space has been provided in the form for responses to be written. Please feel free to continue your answers/comments on additional pieces of paper. If doing so, please ensure that answers can be clearly associated with the questions.

Chapter 2: Functions of an independent General Teaching Council for Scotland
Section 2.2 - Responsibility for the Teaching Standards

Q1: Would it be appropriate for the GTCS to be given a more explicit responsibility in relation to the standards?

Section 2.3 - Entry Requirements to and Approval of Courses of Initial Teacher Education

Q2: Should the GTCS assume responsibility for setting entry requirements to Courses of Initial Teacher Education?

Q3: Should the GTCS assume responsibility for the approval of initial teacher education courses?

Section 2.4 - Continuing Professional Development

Q4: Do you think the GTCS should expand its role to into CPD? If so, what do you think this role should consist of?

Chapter 3: Governance of an independent General Teaching Council for Scotland
Section 3.2 - Size of Council

Q5: What do you think is the most appropriate size for an independent Council?

Section 3.3 - Composition of Council

Q6: How best can we ensure that the public interest is well represented on an independent Council? In answering this question stakeholders may wish to consider factors such as the composition, appointments process and definition of lay member which could all play a role in ensuring the public interest is well represented.

Q7: In terms of models the independent Council could adopt, do you prefer Model 1 or Model 2, a variant of either model, the status quo, or something completely different?

Q8: In considering the composition of the current Council, do you think that there are groups missing from whose input the Council would benefit?

Section 3.4 - Other relevant issues

Q9: Do you have any comments relating to the issues raised in this section?

Q10: Do you believe the length of time individuals should be allowed to serve on Council should be capped?

Space for additional comments

Space for any additional comments that respondents would like to make about the future status of the GTCS.

respondent information form

the Scottish Government consultation process

Consultation is an essential and important aspect of Scottish Government working methods. Given the wide-ranging areas of work of the Scottish Government, there are many varied types of consultation. However, in general, Scottish Government consultation exercises aim to provide opportunities for all those who wish to express their opinions on a proposed area of work to do so in ways which will inform and enhance that work.

The Scottish Government encourages consultation that is thorough, effective and appropriate to the issue under consideration and the nature of the target audience. Consultation exercises take account of a wide range of factors, and no two exercises are likely to be the same.

Typically Scottish Government consultations involve a written paper inviting answers to specific questions or more general views about the material presented. Written papers are distributed to organisations and individuals with an interest in the issue, and they are also placed on the Scottish Government web site enabling a wider audience to access the paper and submit their responses. Consultation exercises may also involve seeking views in a number of different ways, such as through public meetings, focus groups or questionnaire exercises. Copies of all the written responses received to a consultation exercise (except those where the individual or organisation requested confidentiality) are placed in the Scottish Government library at Saughton House, Edinburgh (K Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD, telephone 0131 244 4565).

All Scottish Government consultation papers and related publications (eg, analysis of response reports) can be accessed at: Scottish Government consultations ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations )

The views and suggestions detailed in consultation responses are analysed and used as part of the decision making process, along with a range of other available information and evidence. Depending on the nature of the consultation exercise the responses received may:

• indicate the need for policy development or review
• inform the development of a particular policy
• help decisions to be made between alternative policy proposals
• be used to finalise legislation before it is implemented

Final decisions on the issues under consideration will also take account of a range of other factors, including other available information and research evidence.

While details of particular circumstances described in a response to a consultation exercise may usefully inform the policy process, consultation exercises cannot address individual concerns and comments, which should be directed to the relevant public body.

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