Institutional Membership gives a measure of quality assurance in that the organisation itself accepts the College’s Code of Professional Practice as well as the principle of continued professional development.

The College of Teachers is a Professional Awarding Body by Royal Charter and its qualifications stand in their own right; it offers flexibility and quality.

A Royal Charter is issued to an organisation that the State feels contains the premier expertise in a field.

This means that the College of Teachers has the power to issue officially recognised qualifications in the UK which by definition gives them international currency.

A Centre is not accredited.

A Centre offers a course that is accredited.

Accreditation is not awarded to organisations, but to courses themselves, meaning that a training provider might offer courses that are not accredited by The College.

Accreditation, incorporating validation, is the service provided by The College which declares that a specific course is firstly fit for purpose and secondly achieves and maintains the correct level of study.

If a Centre does not have a course or courses accredited, an institution cannot claim to be a Centre of The College.