We take a look the most significant changes that every Early Career Teacher (ECT, formerly NQT) will encounter and FAQ’s in relation to their new 2-year induction and the benefits the ECF reforms will bring to their teaching career.
The Early Career Framework (ECF) reforms are part of the government’s teacher recruitment and retention strategy, which aim to improve the training and development opportunities available to teachers and their career prospects.
The reforms will create a huge change in support for Early Career Teachers (ECTs, replacing the previous term NQT), providing a funded entitlement to a structured 2-year induction of high-quality professional development.
What is the reasoning behind the ECF reforms?
The main purpose of the ECT induction is to provide a bridge between teacher training and the teaching career. It is a combination of a structured programme of development, with support & professional dialogue (underpinned by the Early Career Framework), as well as consistent monitoring and assessment of performance against the Teachers’ Standards enabling the ECT to become an effective and successful teacher.
What main changes are ECTs likely benefit from?
- There will be a 10% timetable reduction received in the first year of induction, followed by a 5% timetable reduction in the second year
- A mentor role has been created in addition to the role of induction tutor and will have the key objective to support the ECT during induction
- There will be two formal assessment points, one midway through induction and one at the end of the induction period. These will be supported by regular reviews to monitor progress, to take place in each term where a formal assessment is not scheduled
- The number of ad-hoc absences permitted has been extended, in line with the extended length of induction
These changes have been designed to help with teacher retention whilst also ensuring that all new teachers have the best possible chance to complete their induction process. It’s designed to allow ECTs to have more support, guidance and training to prepare them for their career in teaching. The increased timeframe also allows time for professional development within a less pressured and more realistic time frame.
Are there any changes to the pay?
Early Career Teachers will still be able to progress on the pay scale as current arrangements allow, both during and after induction.
What if the induction period was started by the ECT before 1st September 2021?
The government has acknowledged that some Early Career Teachers will have potentially started their induction period prior to the date of this new induction for early career teachers. It has therefore laid out some guidance in relation to this.
“ECTs who, on 1 September 2021, had started but not completed their induction, hereafter referred to as ‘the pre-September 2021 cohort’ have until 1 September 2023 to complete induction within three terms.” (Gov.uk – March 21)
For those ECTs that fall into this category, you will be expected to take part in the changes to the induction process, but not over the same period of time. You will be following the school’s induction process that will be underpinned by the ECF for the remainder of your induction period.
How important is it that ECTs complete the induction period?
“An ECT has only one chance to complete statutory induction. An ECT who has completed induction, and is judged to have failed to meet the Teachers’ Standards at the end of their induction period, is not permitted to repeat induction (although they may appeal against the decision). While such an ECT does not lose their QTS, they cannot be employed lawfully as a teacher in a relevant school, including any post where they would carry out specified work. Their name is included on the list of persons, held by the Teaching Regulation Agency, who have failed to satisfactorily complete an induction period.” (Gov.uk – March 2021)
If you are an ECT and would like any further support in lining up a September opportunity, please contact one of your local justteachers teams today, who are ready to discuss your options.
