ECT Information

In September 2021 the Early Career Framework was introduced in England. For teachers new to the profession, they are now known as Early Career Teachers (ECTs). For those who started in post before September 2021 but are still within their period of induction, they are now known as Transitional Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs).

Derby City Council is an Appropriate Body for the Verification and Support of ECTs and Transitional NQTs. The Appropriate Body, along with the Head Teacher / Principal is jointly responsible for the monitoring, support and assessment of the ECTs and Transitional NQTs during induction and has the main quality assurance role. We help schools to meet statutory requirements to supporting ECTs and Transitional NQTs, to meet their responsibilities for monitoring, support and guidance and in undertaking a rigorous and equitable assessment of the ECT(s) and Transitional NQTs.

Contact Details

Derby City LA wishes to provide head teachers, induction tutors, ECTs and Transitional NQTs with the highest levels of support. If you have any issues, concerns or questions, please contact us at ECT.administration@derby.gov.uk

The Three Induction Pathways

Within the ECF three routes have been identified for ECTs to complete Induction. It is the school’s responsibility to choose a route and make sure that each ECT is supported.
The three routes are:

Full Induction Programme
- this is a funded, provider led programme
- it should offer high quality training for ECTs and their mentors
- it should also include relevant professional development resources and materials
Core Induction Programme
- in this route, schools can access and use professional development content and materials accredited by the DfE to deliver their own ECT and mentor support
School-based programme:
- this route means that the school can create their own induction programme, based on the early career framework
- it will also mean that the school will need to provide any training required to mentors

As an Appropriate Body, Derby LA will undertake ECF fidelity checking where necessary. The level of fidelity check expected will vary depending on the type of ECF-based induction being delivered by schools. The Appropriate Body will not check the fidelity of Full Induction Programmes, as these have already been subject to quality assurance through Ofsted and contract management. Schools opting to use the Core Induction or School-based programmes should contact us for further information

Transitional NQTs

Statutory guidance on NQT inductions that started before 1 September 2021 www.gov.uk/government/publications/induction-for-newly-qualified-teachers-nqts

Guidelines on the Appointment of an ECT

Prior to appointment of an ECT the head teacher:

must supply brief details of the post to provide information which will ensure it is suitable for induction purposes. The information should include whether the ECT would be teaching:
- full classes
- the same classes throughout the assessment period
- the whole curriculum, as appropriate to the setting.

Before you appoint an ECT please use the ECT suitability checker which will help you to decide if this is a suitable post for an ECT.

Action: The information should be sent to ECT.administration@derby.gov.uk by email:

ensuring the school has the capacity to provide the ECT with the support of an appropriately experienced and trained colleague in the role of an Induction Tutor
ensuring that there is an appropriately skilled colleague to fulfil the role of Mentor
checking that the ECT is eligible for Induction
checking whether the ECT has completed any of their Induction periods and the recommendations made on the formal assessment reports.

At Interview Stage

At interview stage head teachers should confirm with the ECT:

the ECT’s eligibility for induction (checking QTS certificate, evidence of skills tests, as appropriate)
the ECT’s status on the Teaching Regulation Agency database.

Immediately after appointment

Immediately after appointment head teachers:

should register the ECT on ECT Manager which will send an email to the LA to enable the Appropriate Body to carry out the required checks (if you are unable to log on email ECT.administration@derby.gov.uk )
inform the Appropriate Body and confirm all the information submitted on ECT Manager
agree the date on which Induction can begin
ensure that the processes and practice for ECT Induction within the School/Academy are commensurate with those required in the “Induction for early career teachers (England) Statutory guidance for appropriate bodies, head teachers, school staff and governing bodies “ – www.gov.uk/government/publications/induction-for-early-career-teachers-england
support the Appropriate Body in providing quality assurance information as required
ensure formal assessment reports are submitted via ECT Manager within the identified timescale for the Appropriate Body to fulfil the verification aspect of their role
inform the Appropriate Body immediately if an ECT is at risk of not meeting the required standards.

Appropriate Body Sold Service

By appointing Derby City Council as the Appropriate Body you are agreeing to purchase either:

The Appropriate Body package
The Fast-Track Service (for Transitional NQTs where applicable)
Support with reduced induction (for suitably experienced ECTs)

For costings refer to the Derby Way Sold Service Brochure.

Quality Assurance Visits

As an Appropriate Body, we have a duty to assure ourselves that schools understand and are able to meet their responsibilities for overseeing ECT induction in their particular school. Most visits will be random, but we will prioritise schools where there are ECTs are not on track to meet the Teachers’ Standards. This visit is not an inspection. We will check processes (for compliance with what is a statutory procedure), offer support to tutors and ECTs, and make what we hope are helpful suggestions.

Training

New ECT Induction Tutor and Mentor training: at the time of writing, it is expected that Full Induction Providers will include training for Induction Tutors ad Mentors. If you opt for the Core Induction Programme, we expect appropriate support to be accessed through the resources and materials published by the provider. For those using School-based Induction, the way you provide this will be part of our fidelity checking.

ECT Handbook and Forms

The Derby City Appropriate Body ECT Handbook can be found here along with appendices for schools.

If there is anything further that you need please contact us by email ECT.administration@derby.gov.uk

Appendices

ECT Handbook

If you would like to read more about ECTs, please read the ECT Handbook.