John Beattie takes over in September

Mr Beattie, who began his teaching career in 1966, said it was a privilege to be elected as the first practising teacher to chair the GTC.

"Encouraging a culture, where teachers feel empowered to have an impact on shaping professional policy and practice, including standards, is a long term commitment," he said.

"My priority is to continue to encourage teachers to believe that by working together the profession can really turn things around.

"I am confident that by working in this way we can tackle the challenges that face teaching and can strive towards a shared goal - the development of a profession that meets the aspirations and needs of both existing and new teachers."

'Time is right'

The appointment was welcomed by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), where Mr Beattie stood as president in 1998/99.

The time is right now for the profession to have a qualified teacher at its helm

ATL

"The Association of Teachers and Lecturers is delighted that the GTC has elected a classroom teacher as its chair," said deputy general secretary Gerald Imison.

"This shows the confidence that a teacher can lead the profession," he said.

"We must pay tribute to the work of Lord Putnam in piloting the GTC out of the harbour, with some potential reefs along the way.

"The time is right now, however, for the profession to have a qualified teacher at its helm."

Curriculum vitae

Mr Beattie is deputy head at Exmouth Community College, which has over 2,300 pupils.

He has experience of teaching in grammar, secondary modern and comprehensive schools.

He has been involved with the ATL since the early 1980s.

As ATL executive member for Devon, he was involved in working parties with the county council and was later elected ATL president for 1998/99.

Mr Beattie has also held board level posts with the National Foundation for Educational Research and with the Associated Examining Board before it merged with the Northern Examination and Assessment Board.