Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc. Act 2000

45Functions of the Council

(1)In section 1 of the 1965 Act (which makes provision for the establishment of the General Teaching Council for Scotland)—

(a)after subsection (2) there shall be inserted—

“(2A)The principal aims of the Council in exercising their functions shall be—

(a)to contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning; and

(b)to maintain and improve teachers' standards of professional competence.”; and

(b)after subsection (3) there shall be added—

“(4)In exercising their functions the Council shall have regard to the interests of the public.”.

(2)In section 2(3) of that Act (which imposes on the Council the duty of considering certain matters relating to the education, training and fitness to teach of teachers and of making recommendations), after the word “training” there shall be inserted “, career development”.

(3)After section 4 of that Act there shall be inserted—

“4AAdditional functions

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by order confer or impose on the Council such additional functions as the Scottish Ministers consider it would be appropriate for the Council to discharge in connection with any of the Council’s functions under this Act.

(2)Before making an order under subsection (1) above, the Scottish Ministers shall—

(a)consult the Council; and

(b)carry out such other consultation as appears to them to be appropriate.”.

(4)After section 5 of that Act there shall be inserted—

“5AGeneral advice and publication of advice and recommendations

The Council may give advice of a general nature, on any matter relevant to their functions (whether or not it is a matter as respects which they may make recommendations under any other provision of this Act), to any person or body; and they may publish any such advice or recommendations.

5BSupply of information relating to teachers

(1)The Council shall supply to the General Teaching Council for England and the General Teaching Council for Wales such information as it is necessary or desirable for the Council in question to have for the purpose of carrying out any of the functions conferred on them by or under the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c. 30).

(2)Once the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland is established, subsection (1) above shall apply in relation to that Council and to the functions conferred on them by or under the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/1759 (N.I. 13)) as that subsection applies in relation to, and to the functions of, the General Teaching Council for England and the General Teaching Council for Wales.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) above do not limit the circumstances in which information may be supplied other than by virtue of this section and are without prejudice to section 9A of this Act.”.