What is TRN (Teacher Reference Number)?

The Department for Education issues TRNs to teachers and trainee teachers. The number has had several names over the years, including QTS, GTC, DfE, DfES and DCSF number, so staff may know it by one of those. Teachers can often find it on a payslip, a teachers’ pension statement or teacher training paperwork, and there is a GOV.UK service to find a lost TRN.

Employers use the TRN with the DfE’s Check a teacher’s record service. This shows whether someone holds qualified teacher status, has passed induction, and whether they are subject to a prohibition order that bars them from teaching in England.

England and Wales

The TRN is an England identifier. In Wales, teachers must also be registered with the Education Workforce Council (EWC), which holds its own register. Teachers who have worked in both nations may have a TRN and an EWC registration number.

Why it matters for your setting

• In England, KCSIE expects a prohibition from teaching check for anyone carrying out teaching work, and the TRN makes this straightforward.
• It lets you confirm a teacher’s qualifications quickly before they start.
• Recording the TRN helps with your single central record and future checks.

How PupilDB helps

PupilDB keeps each staff member’s TRN on their staff record, next to their DBS details, EWC number, references and certificates.