Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the development of a common shared civic morality forms part of any future professional training of teachers.

Teachers are expected to maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour throughout their career.

The Teachers’ Standards, a copy of which is attached, make clear that ‘Teachers make the education of their pupils their first concern, and are accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct.’

The Standards cover various aspects of teaching. Standard 8 on wider professional responsibilities sets out an expectation for teachers to make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school. Part Two of the Standards, ‘Personal and Professional Conduct’, sets out that a teacher is expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct, including maintaining high standards of ethics and behaviour.

The Teachers’ Standards are used to assess all trainees working towards Qualified Teaching Status, and all those completing their statutory induction period.

The recently announced Early Career Framework (ECF) was developed against the Teachers’ Standards, including Standard 8 (fulfil wider professional responsibilities). Part Two of the Teachers’ Standards must always be met and stands alongside the ECF. Once rolled out nationally in September 2021, the ECF will underpin an entitlement to a two year package of structured training and support for early career teachers. A copy of the ECF can be found attached.