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***Important Service Update - September 2023***

Induction for ECTs from September 2023

For ECTs already completing induction with us:

We will continue to support our current ECTs who are registered with us and who won’t have completed enough time to finish their induction in July 2023.   The Department for Education feel this transition period is in ECTs’ best interests because it allows schools to provide stability for them during their induction.  By allowing schools to keep their existing ECTs with us, the majority of ECTs who began induction in September 2022 will avoid any disruption by remaining with one AB throughout.

We are delighted with this decision as it allows us to continue to support our existing ECTs and we look forward to doing so in September.

For new ECTs:

Unfortunately, as a result of government changes to who can act as an Appropriate Body for the purposes of ECT induction, The Education People (ECT Induction Team) will not be able to accept new registrations from 01 September 2023

For any new ECTs registering for induction after 01 September 2023, we will be working with the two Teaching School Hubs in Kent to support them in their delivery of ECT induction services and so schools will need to contact one of the hubs below to register any new ECTs from September.  Please find below contact details for both TSH:

Kent Teaching School Hub - [email protected]

Thames Gateway Teaching School Hub - [email protected]

***Early Career Framework Programme with Best Practice Network - September 2023 Update***

We are pleased to confirm that we are still able to support schools with the delivery of the Early Career Framework (ECF), which was a new requirement from September 2021.  We have teamed up with one of the 6 lead providers of the ECF – Best Practice Network (recently rated OUTSTANDING by Ofsted), to deliver a full induction programme.  Follow this link to find out more about the recent changes to our ECF programme structure, based on feedback from our schools.

Having successfully reached the end of year 2 of our first cohort, we have supported its development to ensure it meets the needs of our schools locally.  We have the added benefit of being able to offer the face to face training in a number of districts across Kent to ensure the sessions are easily accessible.   To register for the delivery of the ECF with us and BPN, please follow the instructions below.

Registering with The Education People and Best Practice Network for the delivery of the ECF:

Registering ECTs and Mentors

The registration process is simple. The DfE step-by-step guidance can be accessed here.

  • School Induction Tutors must register their ECTs and Mentors on the DfE Online Service (BPN then collect additional details directly from the ECTs and ECMs to enable allocation to their local training group)

Not yet registered with BPN?

  • If your school has not yet had an ECT, or is changing Lead Provider to Best Practice Network, you will be prompted with instructions for next steps within the DfE Online Service
  • If your school has not yet had an ECT or is changing Lead Provider, the school will also need to register with Best Practice Network here

Things to note

  • Schools already working with Best Practice Network do not need to re-register with BPN
  • Schools do not need to re-register ECTs and ECMs moving into the second year of their ECF programme

*** If you have chosen an alternative provider for the delivery of the ECF, please liaise with your chosen provider on how to ensure you are appropriately registered for the delivery of the ECF.***

ECT Induction and Support

How The Education People Support ECTs

The Education People is an 'Appropriate Body' for schools from all over the world, who choose us to oversee their ECT teacher induction period. The appointment of an Appropriate Body is a statutory requirement for all ECT induction periods.

Our ECT Induction & Support team provides specialist support, guidance and advice on ECT induction for over 1,000 ECTs each year - in schools, HE colleges and academies across England and in British Overseas Schools. The team delivers a comprehensive service including:

  • an online system for schools to submit termly ECT assessments
  • online resources for ECTs and their tutors
  • confidential support and advice via email and phone for ECTs and their tutors - to ensure schools are able to sufficiently support and monitor their ECTs, or to discuss any concerns about the induction period
  • termly newsletters for ECTs and their tutors, with timely information about the induction process
  • quality assurance visits to ensure that best practice is consistent across all our schools – these visits also allow schools to ask any questions they may have about their schools ECT induction process
  • training for ECTs in the form of a webinar covering how to be successful in their induction
  • social media updates about all elements of teaching
  • initial progress reviews, which may result in a visit to the school if an ECT is making limited progress and needs additional support*
  • face to face training for induction tutors/mentors who support ECTs in schools*
  • a training programme for primary ECTs covering all aspects of teaching*
  • bespoke packages providing training and support for ECTs and their mentors in school.*

We offer a friendly and personalised service to our customers, and will ensure that our schools are able to fulfil the statutory responsibilities for the successful completion of ECT induction periods.  If you would like to discuss our service and the support that we can offer you, please get in touch and we would be happy to talk to you.

Our Services

What are ECTs?

An ECT is a 'Early Career Teacher' who has just obtained QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). This phase involves undertaking an induction programme that enables them to be legally employed as a teacher in a maintained school.

What is ECT Induction?

Induction is the bridge between initial teacher training and a career in teaching, and is designed to offer teachers support and guidance in their professional development. During the induction period, ECTs build on their initial teacher training to show that they’re able to meet expected Teachers' Standards over a long period of time. ECTs can do their induction in any maintained school, as well as independent schools including free schools, academies, nursery schools and certain independent schools overseas. ECTs can’t do their induction in a school that has an Ofsted special measure judgement.

Only teachers who have completed their induction programme can go on to teach in maintained schools in England. However, ECTs who intend to work solely in independent schools, including academies and free schools, don’t have to go through induction.

Throughout the induction period, teachers will have a slightly reduced timetable and will work towards demonstrating that they have met all the relevant professional standards to become an effective teacher. This involves being assessed every term by a school-based induction mentor or tutor, appraising their progress towards meeting the Teachers' Standards (these detail the required skills in areas such as subject knowledge, planning, assessment and managing the learning environment, as well as personal and professional conduct).

Once the final assessment is submitted by the school, the school is required to make a recommendation to the Appropriate Body (us) stating whether their ECT has made satisfactory progress towards meeting the standards. The Appropriate Body will then assess whether they have met the requirements to pass their induction period.

How Long Does Induction Last?

Induction takes two academic years for ECTs working full time.  From September 2021, ECTs carrying out their induction on a part-time basis are also able to complete after 2 years, if they are meeting the standards.  The Appropriate Body would make the final decision on this based on evidence from the school and the online assessments.

Contacting the ECT Induction Team

Tim Spoerry, Induction Manager
Elizabeth Dean, Induction Adviser (part-time)
Helen Grzeszczak, Induction Coordinator (part-time)
Rhea Clarke, Induction Administrator (part-time)
Amanda Risbridger, Induction Administrator (part-time)

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 03301 651 300