The Professional Standards provide a framework for teachers and trainers to critically appraise their own practice and improve their teaching through Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Almost 1,000 sector professionals were involved in the development of the standards to ensure they accurately reflected practitioners needs. 

The Professional Standards:

• set out clear expectations of effective practice in education and training

• enable teachers and trainers to identify areas for their own professional development

• support initial teacher education; and,

• provide a national reference point that organisations can use to support the development of their staff.

Visit the ETF website for more information and to download the Professional Standards.

Professional Standards Self-Assessment Tool

An online Self-Assessment tool is available on the Foundation Online Learning website and provides a simple, quick and effective way to understand how well you currently perform against the standards.  

If you would like to use a saveable version of the Self-assessment tool, please sign into the Foundation Online Learning website. 

Professional Standards Research Tool

The Professional Standards Research Tool gives you quick access to an enhanced range of new resources relating to each of the 20 Professional Standards including blogs, papers, videos, posters and much more. The clear navigation to the range of intuitive features means the tool can be accessed anywhere, anytime on any mobile or desktop devices.

The tool is for use by anyone undertaking CPD, especially if you are undertaking Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status or Advance Teacher Status (ATS). The Professional Standards Research Tool is a redeveloped and enhanced version of the QTLS interactive research map.