What does it mean to "develop professional standards"? This paper argues that the task is one of setting up the processes and resources that will bring about an informed and growing teaching community. This is not a task in making lists of the "competencies" that teachers are to be measured against. Considerable work by government and professional associations worldwide have produced useful documents, projects and auditing methods that may not adequately address the implied processes of change. In recognising that professional standards are in fact located in the ongoing development of individuals and groups, we can pursue a standards debate which is located within this process, and with the clear aim of recognising and advancing good practice.