Professor Sarah Anderson and colleagues Professor Andrew James Davies (University of Swansea), Professor Emeritus Rachel Lofthouse (Leeds Beckett University), Mr Daryl Phillips (Aberystwyth University), Sevda Ozsezer Kurnuca (Ministry of National Education, Türkiye) and Pinky Jain (Leeds Beckett University) have published an article in The Teacher Educator titled, ""A Comparative Analysis of Professional Teacher Standards Across the UK Home Nations of England, Scotland, and Wales."

The Teacher Educator journal is focused on current issues, research, and program innovations that augment teacher preparation and continued professional development for educators. The journal serves as an international forum for stimulating discussion among educators who seek to challenge existing boundaries in the field. The article reported a comparative analysis of professional standards for newly-qualified teachers across England, Scotland, and Wales, following the 1999 devolution of educational policies. By aligning national frameworks with UNESCO’s Global Framework of Professional Teaching Standards (2019), the study critically assessed how teacher competencies are articulated within each jurisdiction. Utilizing critical policy analysis and crosswalk methodology, this research offers the first systematic cross-national comparison of professional teaching standards providing novel insights into devolved educational standards. The findings reveal ideological distinctions: England emphasizes measurable outcomes and accountability, Scotland prioritizes holistic development and social justice, while Wales integrates performance metrics with cultural values. These variations influence teacher preparation, professional development, and student outcomes. This study underscores the need for nuanced, context-sensitive policy approaches that support teacher agency and educational quality, fostering a more coherent and informed debate on the future of teacher education in the UK.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08878730.2025.2509163

First published: 10 October 2025

<< Academic News