This is a required check for new starters to check prior to appointment that a teacher is not prohibited from teaching.

In order to carry out this check, use the free Employer Secure Access sign-in portal to access the Teaching Regulation Agency’s (TRA) Teacher Services’ web page (see TRA FAQs below).

A person who is prohibited must not be appointed to a role that involves teaching work in schools, sixth form colleges, 16-19 academies, relevant youth accommodation and children’s homes in England.

This check used to only apply to teachers who had qualified teacher status (QTS), but this is no longer the case.

For any teachers appointed after the 1st of April 2012 who have not been checked, you should carry out this check retrospectively.

Although there is no requirement to retrospectively check teachers who commenced their current employment prior to that date, it would still be prudent to do so.

There remains a number of individuals who are still subject to disciplinary sanctions, which were imposed by the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) prior to its abolition in 2012.

New to using the TRA?

The Secure Access / DfE Sign-in portal via the Teaching Regulation Agency’s (TRA) Teacher Services is a free service available to all schools and colleges. Registration is required for first-time users and can be requested from Teacher Services.

How do I use the TRA?

Please consult A guide for using the TRA and proceed to this link to sign into the TRA. The school should complete the TRA checks (as appropriate to the role), print the teacher's record to retain in the personnel file and 'claim' the teacher on the TRA website. Alternatively, schools can save the teacher's record on Sign In Central Record.