TEACHERS in East Lancashire have been having their say on the formation of the new College of Teaching (CoT).

Modelled after the existing organisations such as the Royal College of Surgeons, the CoT would set out what the 'best practice' of teaching would look like and create 'charted teachers'.

Around 50 at Alder Grange in Rawtenstall took part in the 'Big Staff Meeting' event on Tuesday to discuss the proposals and talk about what they think should be considered best practice.

It is hoped that other secondary schools in East Lancashire will hold similar events in the coming months.

Former executive headteacher at Alder Grange Iain Hulland, who is also a member of the team behind the new college, said that it has already got the unanimous backing of secondary school headteachers in the region.

He added that talks are on going with primary school headteachers to help secure their backing.

Mr Hulland, who retired in 2014, said: "The College of Teaching is about consolidating the views of best practice in our profession and giving teachers one voice to talk to government and the public about issues facing them.

"It will be similar to bodies such as the Royal College of Surgeons and will help define what exact best practice means.

"These events, which are taking place throughout the country, are about getting the views of teachers on the make up of this new college.

"We are talking about if it will only be open to teachers or headteachers as well and how it should function."

The event at Alder Grange saw teachers discuss the future make up of the organisation for just under and hour and was opened up for group discussion about how it should move forward.

Mr Hulland added that he would have liked more time for that session so that more views could be given.

He said: "We are right at the start of this consultation process really and there are things that we would want to do better during future meetings.

"The College of Teaching as an idea has been around since I started my career more than 40 years ago.

"But it only became a legal body in September so there is still a long way to go."