Our support for Early Career Teachers

At Queens’ Federation we support Early Career Teachers (ECTs) to make the best possible start to their teaching career with us. We follow the statutory guidance from the Department for Education throughout the two school years induction period and utilise the support of the Early Career Framework (ECF) to provide ongoing support throughout this induction period. Our support for ECTs includes the following:

• A 10% timetable reduction in the first year of induction, followed by a 5% timetable reduction in the second year of induction.
• An induction period that is underpinned by an Early Career Framework (ECF). Queens’ Federation chooses to use a funded provider led programme (accredited by the Department for Education), who design and deliver a programme of face-to-face and online training to ECTs and their mentors.
• Two formal assessment points, one midway through induction, and one at the end of the induction period. These will be supported by regular progress reviews to monitor progress, to take place in each term where a formal assessment is not scheduled.
• The appointment of a qualified teacher who will act as a mentor, and who has been trained in this role. The mentor will meet regularly with the ECT for structured mentor sessions and will provide effective targeted feedback. They will work collaboratively with the ECT and other colleagues involved in the ECTs induction and will provide mentoring and coaching. The mentor will also take prompt, appropriate action if an ECT appears to be having difficulties.
• The appointment of an induction tutor, who will provide or co-ordinate, guidance for the ECTs professional development and who will carry out regular progress reviews throughout the induction period. They will also ensure that the ECTs teaching is observed and feedback is provided. They will ensure that ECTs are aware of how to raise any concerns about their induction programme or their personal progress. The induction tutor will take prompt, appropriate action if an ECT appears to be having difficulties and will ensure that all monitoring is done in the most streamlined and least burdensome way.
• A quality assurance procedure through an appointed appropriate body.
• The ability to see other colleagues teach and to learn from excellent practice across our Federation.
• A progressive career path with high expectations for all.
• The opportunity to collaborate with other ECTs across our Federation and across the cluster of local schools.