I am not a teacher, but I am concerned about the extra-legal powers the General Teaching Council for England wishes to award itself (“247 scrutiny infringes civil rights, says union”, TES, January 23). If it does this, how can we ensure it won’t later “enhance” these powers to determine what political or religious beliefs you may hold?

It seems to me that the body seeks to emulate the General Medical Council, but without the substance and against the interest and wishes of its members.

Teaching will become not a profession, or even a job, but a forced vocation with a loss of civil liberties, self-determination and rights to a private life - effectively an Asbo imposed just for becoming a teacher!

A Giscombe, Radlett, Hertfordshire.