PGCE Professional Standards (Teachers' Standards) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Teachers' Standards (2011) are divided into two parts. What are they?
- Part One: Subject Knowledge; Part Two: Classroom Management
- Part One: Teaching (Standards 1-8); Part Two: Personal and Professional Conduct (Correct answer)
- Part One: Planning; Part Two: Assessment
- Part One: Behaviour Management; Part Two: Safeguarding
Correct answer: Part One: Teaching (Standards 1-8); Part Two: Personal and Professional Conduct
The Teachers' Standards comprise Part One (Teaching), which contains Standards 1-8 covering expectations for teaching and learning, and Part Two (Personal and Professional Conduct), which sets out the behaviour and attitudes expected of teachers.
Question 2: Teachers' Standard 1 states that teachers should 'set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.' Which of the following best demonstrates this in practice?
- Setting different, lower expectations for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Maintaining consistently high expectations for all pupils regardless of background, providing appropriate support and challenge to enable every pupil to achieve (Correct answer)
- Only challenging the highest-attaining pupils while giving easier work to others
- Telling pupils they must achieve top grades or they will fail in life
Correct answer: Maintaining consistently high expectations for all pupils regardless of background, providing appropriate support and challenge to enable every pupil to achieve
Standard 1 requires teachers to have high expectations for ALL pupils. This means not lowering the bar based on background or prior attainment, but providing the differentiated support needed for every pupil to meet ambitious expectations.
Question 3: According to Teachers' Standard 8, which of the following is a key wider professional responsibility?
- Designing the school timetable
- Making a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school, and developing effective professional relationships with colleagues (Correct answer)
- Managing the school budget
- Leading all staff meetings
Correct answer: Making a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school, and developing effective professional relationships with colleagues
Standard 8 covers wider professional responsibilities including contributing to the school community, collaborating with colleagues, communicating effectively with parents, and taking responsibility for professional development.
Question 4: Part Two of the Teachers' Standards addresses personal and professional conduct. Which of the following behaviours would breach this standard?
- Attending parents' evening and providing constructive feedback
- Engaging in a social media relationship with a current pupil and sharing personal information (Correct answer)
- Participating in professional development courses during school holidays
- Volunteering to support an extra-curricular club
Correct answer: Engaging in a social media relationship with a current pupil and sharing personal information
Part Two requires teachers to maintain proper professional boundaries. Engaging in social media relationships with pupils and sharing personal information breaches these boundaries, potentially compromising safeguarding and professional integrity.
Question 5: What does Teachers' Standard 3 specifically require regarding subject knowledge?
- Teachers only need to know the content of the lessons they are teaching that day
- Teachers must demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge, keep their knowledge up to date, and address pupils' misconceptions (Correct answer)
- Teachers need a PhD in their subject area
- Subject knowledge is only assessed during initial teacher training, not afterwards
Correct answer: Teachers must demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge, keep their knowledge up to date, and address pupils' misconceptions
Standard 3 requires teachers to have strong, up-to-date subject and curriculum knowledge, demonstrate a critical understanding of developments in their subject, and be able to address common misconceptions. This is an ongoing professional responsibility.
Question 6: During the induction year (ECT), how are the Teachers' Standards used?
- They are not relevant during the ECT period
- They form the basis for assessment — ECTs must demonstrate they meet all the Standards by the end of their induction period (Correct answer)
- ECTs only need to meet Standards 1-4 during their first year
- The Standards are only used if an ECT is struggling
Correct answer: They form the basis for assessment — ECTs must demonstrate they meet all the Standards by the end of their induction period
The Teachers' Standards are the framework against which ECTs are assessed during their two-year induction period. ECTs must demonstrate they are meeting all the Standards by the end of induction, supported by their induction tutor and mentor.
PGCE Professional Standards (Teachers' Standards)
The Teachers' Standards (2011) are divided into two parts.
What are they?