Teaching Accreditation System

Currently the BGA has two levels of accreditation:

General level: For Go teachers who will normally be teaching adults. This level also includes individuals who help teach young people in a supervised setting. (For example: helping to teach young people Go in a classroom where a teacher is present. This would not fall under the criteria of ‘regulated activity’ as defined by the Home Office).

Accredited to teach young people: This level is for anyone who may be regularly teaching children or young people in a situation where there is no DBS checked supervisor. (For example: running a weekly Go Club for young people alongside a parent. This is likely to fall under the definition of ‘regulated activity’.

[For a further explanation of ‘regulated activity’ and the legal implications of this please see the BGA's Policy and Procedures for checking criminal records].

All accredited teachers must meet the requirements set out by the Player Development Committee. These can be accessed through the Members site at http://www.britgo.org/policy/policies9

For the General Level :

• A teacher should be at least 4 grades stronger than their students
• A teacher should be in receipt of positive feedback from students
• The teacher must have studied our "Guide to Teaching Go to Beginners"

At all teaching events run by us students are asked to fill in a Feedback Form to provide comments on the Teacher. These forms are assessed by the Player Development Committee to see if the person is considered to be a suitable teacher. The Player Development Committee may also take into account additional information in deciding if the applicant is suitable for accreditation. Applicants turned down by the Player Development Committee may appeal to Council.

This is the appropriate accreditation for Go teachers who will normally be teaching adults. It also includes individuals who help teach young people in a supervised setting, for example helping to teach young people Go in a classroom where a teacher is present.

To be accredited to teach young people:

In addition to the requirements for general level accreditation by the BGA, they must also:

• Confirm that they’ve read the BGA policy on Working with Children and Young People.
• Provide clear DBS certificate dated within the past three years (the BGA can assist an individual to apply for a DBS check).
• Provide two references using the BGA reference form. One reference at least should be from outside the Go community.
• Have experience of teaching go to young people.

It is stressed that participation in all aspects of this scheme is entirely voluntary (except as required by UK Legislation). There is no requirement or compulsion on anyone to become accredited, and members are free to continue to visit schools (or other youth groups) of their own volition if agreed with the school/youth group itself. However, some members may wish to become "accredited" by us as it may ease their way through local bureaucracies.

However, the BGA recommends that those individuals who do visit schools (or other youth groups) and who do not have a current clear DBS certificate should acquaint themselves with the legislation concerning ‘regulated activity’ to ensure that they do not inadvertently break the law.

The BGA believes that there are a number of advantages to accreditation – particularly for those who wish to teach Go to young people. These are:

• The accreditation process follows NSPCC recommendations with regard to the safe recruitment of volunteers. This helps to keep children and young people safe from harm.
• Parents and carers who are looking for a Go teacher are assured that the BGA recruits suitable volunteer teachers.
• The BGA is shown to be a professional organisation that takes the principles and practice of safeguarding children seriously.
• Accreditation through the BGA may ease the individual’s way through local bureaucracies.

The teachers accredited to the general level or accredited to teach young people under the scheme are shown here.

Useful links

Guide to Teaching Go to Beginners, Chapter 4 of the Club Organiser’s Handbook.

For more information and advice on issues relating to child protection and DBS checks please email us.