They fully respect differences of gender, marital status, religion, colour, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability. Teacher professionalism involves challenging prejudice and stereotypes to ensure equality of opportunity. The Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 empowers the General Teaching Council to issue a code of practice for registered teachers. This Code has been produced, following wide consultation, to affirm the high standards of teacher professionalism in this country and to provide guidance to those within the profession. As such, it forms the backcloth to all the Council's advisory and regulatory work.
Teachers have knowledge of and insight into the learning needs of young people.
They use professional judgement to meet those needs and to select the best ways of motivating those they teach to achieve success. They use assessment to inform and guide their work. Teachers strive to maintain high expectations for all pupils and students, helping them progress irrespective of their personal circumstances, diverse needs and backgrounds. They work to ensure the intellectual and personal development of the whole individual and to safeguard their general health, safety and well-being. Teachers demonstrate in their own work the characteristics they seek to inspire in pupils and students including curiosity, tolerance, honesty, fairness, respect for diversity and appreciation of cultural and religious differences.