The code is due to be implemented next month but posters have now been distributed to every school urging teachers to sign the petition, the union said.
The code of conduct tells teachers to "maintain reasonable standards in their own behaviour that enable them to maintain an effective learning environment and also to uphold public trust and confidence in the profession".
However, an introduction to the instructions says: "The code sets out expectations of reasonable standards of behaviour but does not limit a teacher's right to a private life."
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: "The NASUWT is deeply concerned about the content of the code. It is riddled with vague statements which are open to wide interpretation and abuse, putting the careers and jobs of teachers and headteachers at risk. It is unnecessarily long, littered with pious statements, conflicts with contractual provisions and intrudes into private lives.
"Teachers and headteachers must of course behave in a professional manner, but the code has unreasonable expectations about how they should conduct themselves. We also have serious concerns about how the consultation which led to this code was conducted. It was fundamentally flawed in a number of respects. Nothing in this code will raise or enhance the status and standing of the profession. The code should be withdrawn and a fundamental review undertaken of what constitutes an effective code of conduct and practice."
Keith Bartley, chief executive of the GTCE, denied the code was too intrusive.
"It is a well-established principle that individuals have a duty to uphold the reputation of their chosen profession [but] we are absolutely explicit that the code does not in any way intrude into teachers' private lives."
"Personal misconduct outside school would only be drawn to the GTC's attention if the alleged behaviour were serious enough to warrant dismissal. Provided behaviour is legal and private, this is a matter for individuals but the GTC will assess any behaviour that may damage the ability of the individual to fulfil their role because it has become public."

Maintain reasonable standards in their own behaviour that enable them to maintain an effective learning environment and also to uphold public trust and confidence in the profession.

Act appropriately towards all children and young people, parents, carers and colleagues, whatever their socio-economic background, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion or belief.

[...]

Help children and young people to understand different views, perspectives, and experiences and develop positive relationships both within school and in the local community.

Any link to what the code of conduct says?

The principle is sensible, teachers should be setting an example for students, not smoking dope or having affairs with 6th formers... But wether the code of conduct is actually needed as a document and what it actually says are a different matter.

Says who? If a teacher isn't doing anything illegal (which excludes dope smoking but not affairs) then it's not the business of either the state nor the school frankly.

As long as its not flaunted and doesn't effect the time they are paid to work I can't see how you could hope to make this work.

Quite. If it isn't compulsory and they discipline someone due to it they'll be asking for a employment tribunal to drop on them from a stratospheric height and and I very much doubt they can make it compulsory without an equally long and damaging human rights court case. The very idea you can make someone's behaviour when not on the job limited by what they're supposed to do when they are on the job is ludicrous. Maybe you could push it if the job involved wearing a distinctive uniform then you could restrict someone's behaviour if they were wearing the uniform at the time but otherwise it's just not a goer. Can you just imagine what would happen if they applied the same logic to MPs? There'd be none lef.... err hold on, I've got an idea...

Jon

Can you just imagine what would happen if they applied the same logic to MPs? There'd be none lef.... err hold on, I've got an idea...Jon

Since when are teachers "having affairs" or practising any other socially unacceptable behaviour and then flaunting it in front of their students?