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Early Career Teachers (ECF & Appropriate Body)

Full Induction Programme (Appropriate Body with ECF)

The Early Career Framework (ECF) reforms created a step change in support for early career teachers, providing a funded entitlement to a structured two-year package of high-quality professional development.

Our ‘Full Early Career Induction Programme’ incorporates both our Appropriate Body service and Early Career Framework full induction programme (FIP) - £185 pa 

We would recommend this package as it offers the best value for money and is designed around teacher workload. However, all schools are able to choose their own approach irrespective of working with us as the appropriate body.

If you choose to sign up for our full induction programme then this offer has not only got the biggest financial benefit to schools but will also lower staff workload with SFET Teaching School Hub coordinating all elements of induction, assessment and training.

We currently support over 800 ECTs and in both primary and secondary schools across Hampshire and Surrey, with more schools joining every year due to our workload friendly programme and focus on efficient use of time for greatest impact on the ECT’s progress and attainment. Our primary and secondary programmes run separately to ensure phase specific training and support.

“The ECF is a game changer in terms early career retention and teacher quality. It represents the most significant reform to teaching in a generation. It embeds a funded entitlement to training and guarantees all early career teachers access to a shared understanding of the best available evidence - akin to the highest performing systems internationally”

Professor Samantha Twiselton, OBE

What does our 'Full Early Career Induction Programme' consist of?

Our ‘Full Early Career Induction Programme’ incorporates both our Appropriate Body service and Early Career Framework full induction programme (FIP) - £185 pa 

Early Career Framework
  • Early Career Framework training for mentors, SLT induction leads and early career teachers (ECTs)
  • Online learning platform - a treasure trove of resources, videos, exemplification of practice
  • Self-study materials for early career teachers
  • Regional expert facilitators - representing outstanding practice from schools across Hampshire and Surrey
  • National experts write, shape and present modules
  • Primary and secondary delivery teams
  • Regional networks for ECTs and their mentors - led by schools across the counties (phase and subject specific)
Appropriate Body 
  • Registration of your ECTs (previously called NQTs) with the Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA)
  • Primary and secondary delivery teams
  • Training on assessment processes and induction
  • Providing simple and school friendly assessment tools for school induction tutors to use
  • Monitoring assessment and progress of ECTs
  • Providing support and guidance as necessary -a dedicated team and administrator who will respond on the same day where possible
  • Providing advice and guidance regarding the Early Career Framework aspect of induction
  • ECT Manager (paperless management system)
  • Regional networks for ECTs and their mentors - led by schools across the counties (phase and subject specific)
  • Quality assurance - making sure that we are offering the highest possible service 
  • Access to wealth of training and resources

Let SFET Teaching School Hub support you.

Click here to register!

 

What are the benefits?

If you choose to sign up for our full induction programme then this offer has not only got the biggest financial benefit to schools but will also lower staff workload with SFET Teaching School Hub coordinating all elements of induction, assessment and training.

Our dedicated delivery and administrative team are on hand all year to respond to any questions you may have. 

We understand the induction reforms in their entirety and are well-placed to ensure that your school has everything that it needs.

Our team include primary and secondary practitioners and leaders who understand the demands on staff workload at all levels of the organisation. Training dates and times are carefully considered and resources available online for access at any point.

Streamlined and efficient approach.

No fidelity checks required (schools opting for the core induction or school based programmes will be required to undergo fidelity and quality assurance checks to ensure that the early career teacher entitlement is met in full).

We train over 170 new teachers each year across Hampshire and Surrey and understand their needs as they progress into their first teaching position.

Our team sit on several national advisory bodies (including the Teaching School Hub Council and national ITT Advisory Group) ensuring that the region has a voice at the highest level.

The full induction programme (FIP) is fully funded by the Department for Education. There are no costs to school for the training provided over two years - an incredible offer.

How our Appropriate Body and Early Career Framework programmes fit together

It is important to consider the programmes as a whole. You can download our 'at a glance' overview sheets at the bottom of this page or by clicking on the screenshots below. You will be able to see how the programmes fit together.

DfE funding for ECF-based training

DfE funding for ECF-based training

The DfE supports state funded schools with additional funding for ECF-based training. This is paid directly to schools and covers:

  • 5% off timetable for early career teachers (ECTs) in year 2 of induction, for induction activities including ECF-based training and mentor sessions
  • a dedicated mentor for each ECT, based on 20 hours of mentoring in year 2 of induction

The full provider-led induction programme is fully funded by the Department for Education

If a school uses a training provider, DfE will fund:

  • training delivered to ECTs by the lead provider or delivery partner, paid directly to lead providers
  • training delivered to mentors by the lead provider or delivery partner, paid directly to lead providers
  • 36 hours of mentor time off timetable for training over 2 years, paid directly to schools

Year 1 funding for ECF-based training

Schools receive their core funding through the dedicated schools grant (DSG). The DfE calculate this using the national funding formula (NFF). This funding is primarily based on pupil numbers and characteristics and is allocated by the local authority.

Funding is not ‘earmarked’ for statutory induction. It’s up to headteachers to manage the funding they receive.

Headteachers should use core funding to cover the cost of 10% off timetable for ECTs in year 1 of induction.

Year 2 funding for ECF-based training

DfE pay this funding directly to schools in the summer of year 2. It covers the cost of giving each ECT:

  • 5% off timetable in year 2 of induction
  • 20 hours of mentor support in year 2 of induction

Funding is calculated using the average hourly rate for mentors and early career teachers, split by region.

Read more about funding for time off timetable for ECTs and mentors.

DfE collects data on ECTs and mentors through the school workforce census to minimise the administrative burden on schools.

Backfill payments for mentor training

You can read the separate guidance document on backfill payments for time off timetable for ECF mentor training.

Proportionate funding

DfE makes proportionate funding payments for ECTs who:

  • are on a reduced induction period
  • are serving a part-time induction
  • move to a new school or withdraw from induction during year 2
  • take parental leave

They will identify these ECTs using school workforce census data collections over the period.

Eligible schools and establishments

Schools and establishments eligible for DfE funding include:

  • state-funded schools, colleges, sixth forms, children’s centres and nurseries
  • maintained and non-maintained special schools
  • independent schools that receive Section 41 funding

Eligible early career teachers (ECTs)

ECTs should be eligible for DfE funding if they both:

  • hold qualified teacher status (QTS)
  • start their induction on or after 1 September 2021

ECTs who started their 1-year induction before 1 September 2021 and did not complete it by 31 August 2023 are now required to serve a 2-year induction. They’re eligible for DfE-funded training and mentor support for the remainder of their induction period.

ECTs with qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS) are not eligible for DfE funding, because they are exempt from statutory induction.

How DfE checks the eligibility of ECTs and mentors

If a school uses a training provider or accredited materials, we have to make sure that everyone taking part is eligible for funding and access to materials.

The school must also register their ECT with an appropriate body, who must then register the induction with the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). When school induction tutors register ECTs and mentors with DfE, we check the teacher’s details in the TRA records.

DfE check that the ECT:

  • holds qualified teacher status (QTS)
  • has not completed statutory induction before
  • has not started an induction before 1 September 2021

DfE check that the mentor:

  • does not have any prohibitions, sanctions or restrictions on their record
  • has not received funded training for ECF-based mentoring before

The school induction tutor can sign into DfE’s service to see the status of these eligibility checks.

Full Funding and eligibility for ECF-based training guidance can be read here.

Let SFET Teaching School Hub support you.