FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Early Career Framework (ECF) underpins an entitlement to a fully-funded, two-year package of structured training and support for early career teachers linked to the best available research evidence. The package of reforms will ensure new teachers have dedicated time set aside to focus on their development. The ‘early career teacher’ (ECT) replaces the NQT to reflect the two-year induction period, as opposed to one year. The package offers more dedicated time for teachers to focus on their development. The Department for Education have commited to: 

• Funding and guaranteeing 5% off-timetable in the second year of teaching for all early career teachers; early career teachers will continue to have a 10% timetable reduction in their first year of induction.  

• Creating high quality, freely available ECF curricula and training materials;  

• Establishing full, high quality ECF training programmes;  

• Funding time for mentors to support early career teachers; and  

• Fully funded mentor training. 

Ambition Institute – click here for more information: Ambition Institute. We have partnered with Ambition Institute as their values and style closely align with our own. We believe in the process of high quality ‘coaching’ style support. Key features of the programme include regular, bite-sized learning as part of a regular and frequent routine. The programme will also share practical examples of putting theory into practice using classroom videos for a variety of settings. Practice is at the heart of teacher learning and the programme builds time in for practicing routines in order to make progress.  

It is fully funded by the DfE and schools will not have to undergo additional fidelity checks at additional cost as they will be using a recognised provider. 

The only benefit would include resourcing and delivery of the ECT entitlement. However, Ambition Institute’s offering is of high quality. It is not cheaper for schools to design their own programme

For the two-year induction, mentors are expected to meet with the early career teacher each week. Mentor training will be taking place in the summer term (June/July) but there will also be mop-up sessions in September 2021. 

We will be using NQT manager who will be re-branded ECT manager and have changed their systems in response to the changes in guidance. Progress will be made through monitoring and observations. A report will be submitted at theend of each term where an assessment does not take place, and full assessment reports will be submitted at the end of year one and two.  

As much as possible, we would like to keep existing links and partnerships between schools. Within each borough that we serve (Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, City of London, Camden and Islington) we have partnership schools across all phases to support with the delivery of the ECT programme, including face-to-face clinics and conferences. 

We will be using NQT manager who will be re-branded ECT manager and have changed their systems in response to the changes in guidance. Progress will be made through monitoring and observations. A report will be submitted at the end of each term where an assessment does not take place, and full assessment reports will be submitted at the end of year one and two. 

Yes but this is not compulsory. 

There are two roles, Induction Coordinator (also known as tutor) and Mentor.  

The mentor supports the ECT’s practice on a weekly basis, conducting observations and meetings. They will support them in working towards the Teachers’ Standards. The mentor should be ideally in the same subject area.  

The Induction Coordinator will be involved at formal monitoring points during progress reviews at and end of term assessments. The mentor provides evidence to the tutor to support this. The tutor should ideally remain in the post, even if the mentor changes. 

The ECT programme is for two years instead of one, so funding is available for both of these years. 

Due to demand, we are asking that schools sign up as soon as possible. We would like to ask that schools can sign up by Friday 28th May at the latest. You can do so here. 

No – you are able to register with us for the full induction programme but use a different AB service, such as the local authority. Teaching Schools will no longer be able to serve as your AB service if they have done previously.  

Our cost per ECT on the full induction programme for AB services will be £400 for two years (the duration of the Induction Programme). Pricing for AB services where schools have chosen the core induction or school-led induction programme are different. Please contact us for more information about this scenario.