JOHN Beattie, an Exeter assistant principal and English teacher, has been elected chair of England’s General Teaching Council in a surprise result.

The dark horse won through despite only gaining eight votes in the first round, trailing behind the favourites - vice-chair Liz Paver with 16, and seasoned union officer Mick Carney’s 14.

Mr Beattie then picked up more support than the other two under the single transferable vote system which sees the candidate with the fewest votes eliminated and their votes redistributed.

Nine of the 64 GTC council members did not vote in the election for the pound;35,472 post, which attracted six candidates.

Mr Beattie, aged 60, has taught English at Exmouth community college for the past 25 years. He will take over from Lord Puttnam in September.

Strong feeling within the GTC that a teacher should be elected is thought to have helped him, although the classroom unions preferred Mr Carney.

Mrs Paver, head of Intake first school in Doncaster and past president of the the National Association of Head Teachers, was said by one council insider to “have no depth of support”.

Mr Beattie, who expects to carry on part-time at Exmouth College, was nominated by his union, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. He was its president in 1998-99. He said: “It is a challenge and a privilege to follow David Puttnam. He is a terrific advocate for teachers.”

During his year in office he intends “to keep up the strong working relationship” between the GTC staff and its members. He will spend two days a week on GTC business. Mr Beattie is Scottish-born and educated. He and his wife Linda, also a teacher, have two sons and a daughter.

Gerald Imison, deputy general secretary of the ATL, said: “This shows there is confidence that a teacher can lead the profession. John will bring a first-hand understanding of the issues that concern teachers.”

Mr Carney, former treasurer of National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, who teaches at St Bede’s school in Peterlea, Durham, said: “I am disappointed because I thought I was a good candidate with 20 years of working at national level which would be useful to the GTC.”

Mrs Paver said: “There were six nominations and it could have been any one. I hoped to give my 100 per cent in that role, but I am sure John will do a good job and I will be supporting him 100 per cent.”

Meanwhile, Professor John Andrews has been unanimously elected chairman of the GTC for Wales for a further two years. His re-election was warmly welcomed by teacher unions.

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