Teachers, like all other employees, have to be capable of doing the job they are contracted to do. This means, to begin with, holding the relevant qualifications for teacher status (QTS), and maintaining your capability while you are in work - by appropriate training, studying or experience.  Teachers are expected to:

• be able to communicate effectively;
• possess sound judgement and insight;
• remain alert at all times;
• be able to respond to pupils’ needs rapidly; and
• be able to manage classes.

If your capability to perform your duties is called into question the school must do what it can to help and support you. But in the end it is you that must make the improvement.  Consequently it is likely that the school will invoke the Capability Procedures. These will have been set by the governing body (usually based on the LA's recommended policy), and must be made known to the staff.
In 2000 the government in co-operation with the teaching unions produced a model policy. LAs, church authorities and maintained school governing bodies must have regard to this guidance when constructing or reviewing their policies and when dealing with any lack of capability in teaching staff in maintained schools.
Independent schools may publish their own procedures.

School Staffing (England) Regulations 2003.
Model Capability Procedures (Guidance 0125/2000).
The Staffing of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations 2006 and The Staffing of Maintained Schools (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2007.
Quick Guides Capability Procedures (C) Section under Management of Staff.

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