Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives the public the right of access to information held by public authorities and requires public authorities to make this information available. The intention of the Act is to increase visibility into the work of public bodies, to ensure that policymaking processes are fair, democratic and open.

More information about the FOIA at the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) website.

Publication scheme
The FOIA requires all public authorities to produce a Publication Scheme that specifies the classes of information which the public authority publishes or intends to publish. To comply with the FOIA, the Publication Scheme sets out:

• what information the GTC will make available, classified by type of information
• how you can access the information. 

In May 2008 the ICO issued guidance on new model publication schemes, which public authorities are being encouraged to adopt from 1 January 2009. The GTC has adopted the relevant model scheme.

The classes of information are defined in the new guidance under the following headings:

• Who we are and what we do
  Organisational information, locations and contacts, constitutional and legal governance.
• What we spend and how we spend it
  Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts.
• What our priorities are and how we are doing
  Strategy and performance information, plans, assessments, inspections and reviews.
• How we make decisions
  Policy proposals and decisions. Decision making processes, internal criteria and procedures, consultations.
• Our policies and procedures
  Current written protocols for delivering our functions and responsibilities.
• Lists and registers
  Information held in registers required by law, and other lists and registers relating to the functions of the authority.
• The services we offer
  Advice and guidance, booklets and leaflets, transactions and media releases. A description of the services offered.

More information about classes of information - and publication schemes generally - is available on the ICO website. 

Information on all these categories is already published on the GTC website. To find information we already publish:

• navigate to your area of interest using the links at the top of each page
• use the main search facility at the top of each page
• use the site map
• visit the GTC publications page

Requests for a paper copy of information included under this scheme should be directed to: 

• Teacher Enquiry Service
  The General Teaching Council for England
  Victoria Square House
  Victoria Square
  Birmingham
  B2 4AJ
• Phone:

For information not listed in this scheme, requests should be addressed to the Data Protection Officer at the address above.