Registration Information
Introduction
Welcome to the revised and amended Registration section of GTCNI's Website. We have created specific registration pages dealing with the following areas:
- Registration with the Council;
- Access to information on the Register;
- Information for Employers; and
- Application Forms
Please go to these pages for futher information or please click here to view all FAQs
Register of Teachers
The Education (NI) Order 1998 authorises the Council to establish and maintain a Register of Teachers. Registration is required for all teachers, including peripatetic teachers, working in grant-aided schools. Employing authorities are required to ensure that they only employ teachers that are registered with the GTCNI.
The Council is committed to developing a comprehensive and accurate Register of Teachers. It will work closely with the Department of Education and the employing authorities / employers to ensure that the registration process is as straightforward and efficient as possible.
Northern Ireland Substitute Teacher Register
Should you wish to be employed as a supply/substitute teacher in a grant-aided school, you must be registered with the Northern Ireland Substitute Teacher Register (NISTR), a free register which is maintained and operated by the Belfast Education Library Board (BELB). Criminal records checks carried out by NISTR can take a minimum of 8 weeks; therefore it is advisable that you apply to register with them as early as possible. You can register with NISTR by visiting their website: www.nistr.org.uk by email [email protected] or by telephoning 028 9056 4000 Ext 4427.
Please note that registration with GTCNI is required in order to join the NISTR.
Annual registration fee
Those registered with the GTCNI will be required to pay an annual registration fee. The registration period runs from the 1st April to 31st March each year and the Council has set an annual registration fee of £44. The Council's fee collection process commences in April with a deduction from the teacher salary. This deduction from salary applies to teachers who are in employment in the month of April, including some supply teachers. It is important teachers check their pay statement in April/May to ensure the fee has been deducted.
Those teachers who are not part of the deduction from salary process will be invoiced in June.
- Currently employed by a Local Authority (supply work included) – the annual registration fee is deducted via your salary. This will show in your April or May pay slip.
- Currently on Maternity Leave – although you may still be technically employed, the annual registration fee may not necessarily be deducted from your maternity pay. Therefore, you will be notified by letter to pay the fee direct to GTCNI.
- Currently not in employment/ on a career break/ long term illness – you will be notified by letter to pay the fee direct to GTCNI.
If payment is not received, your record on the Council's Register of Teachers will be closed. This means that you will not be eligible to teach in a grant-aided school in Northern Ireland.
Please note the GTCNI is an approved ‘Professional Body’ with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and as such registration fees paid to the GTCNI may be eligible to tax relief as ‘payment of professional fees’. Full information on how to claim Tax relief for professional fees and subscriptions is available on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/relief-subs.htm and http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/incometax/how-to-get.htm or call 0845 300 0627 to claim your tax relief over the phone.
Payment of the GTCNI Registration Fee
If your registration has lapsed or you have received an invoice from the Council you can easily re-activate or renew your registration with the Council, by contacting the Registration Team on 028 9033 3390 to pay by Credit/Debit Card, giving your name, TR number and card details.
For those teachers who have received an invoice, you can log onto MyGTCNI where you can review some of your details as held on the register, request any necessary amendments and pay your registration fee.
Alternatively you may also pay by cheque or postal order, please make the payment of £44.00 payable to ‘GTCNI No 1 Account’. Please write your name and teacher reference number on the back of the cheque and send it to the address below.
Registration Team
The General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland
3rd Floor Albany House, 73 - 75 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AF
Or by telephone (028) 9033 3390.
- Marriage Certificate;
- Deed Poll;
- Decree Absolute; or
- Birth Certificate.
Up-to-date details are a requirement for ensuring you receive the Council’s correspondence and for continued registration.
Information held on the Register
Initial registration information was obtained from a transfer of details held on the Department of Education's Teachers' Branch databases, or in some specific cases, from individual school or ELB records. There are currently some 27,000 teachers' records in the Register. Information held on an individual teacher's record includes the teacher's name, school, contact address and qualifications.
The data held will provide accurate information about the composition of the teaching profession in Northern Ireland. This will enable the Council to speak with authority on behalf of the profession on a range of educational issues.
Access to information on the Register
Information on the Register can be obtained by registered teachers, employers and the general public. For further details please go to the 'Access to information on the Register' page.
Contacts
For any matters concerning registration, please contact the Registration Team using any of the following:
General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland
3rd Floor
Albany House
73 - 75 Great Victoria Street
Belfast BT2 7AF
Tel: (028) 9033 3390
Email: [email protected]
Office hours are Monday to Thursday 08:30 to 16:45, Fridays 08:30 to 16:30.
How to find us
View and download our how to find us location map
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