General Teaching Council for England

The GTC was established by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 which set two aims: "to contribute to improving standards of teaching and the quality of learning, and to maintain and improve standards of professional conduct among teachers, in the interests of the public".

In line with the aims set by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998, the GTC had three principal functions.

Each panel was normally held in public, and included two teachers, one lay member, and a legal advisor employed by the GTC.

Some teachers were represented by trade unions, although Trade Unions employ solicitors and barristers to comply with the Human Rights legislation affording defendants equal representation to the barristers and solicitors employed by the GTCE.

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, announced on 2 June 2010 of the Government's decision and intention to abolish the General Teaching Council for England by primary legislation.

[4] The Times Educational Supplement lamented the demise of the GTC and criticised the role of school teaching trade unions causing the profession to become little more than an extension to the civil service.