What is the context? The DfE published their Early Career Framework (ECF) in January 2019. The framework underpins an entitlement to a fully funded two-year package of structured training and support for early career teachers.
The DfE has committed to the following for the national rollout in Autumn 2021:
- funding and guaranteeing 5% off-timetable in the second year of teaching for all early career teachers early career teachers continuing to have a 10% timetable reduction in their first year of induction
- creating high quality, freely available ECF curricula and training materials
- establishing full ECF training programmes
- funding time for mentors to support early career teachers
- fully funding mentor training
ASCL’s position: ASCL welcomes the funding of additional non-contact time for teachers in their second year of teaching (NQT + 1) and for appropriate time and training for in-school mentors to support these teachers.
The Early Career Framework (ECF) must be an entitlement for additional support in year two of teaching but the NQT induction assessment period should remain at one year.
Why are we saying it? We are supportive of the framework. It is, however, vital that the framework is used in the way intended, and that early career teachers benefit from the additional non-contact time. It is also important that this does not create additional workload for school leaders through the implementation. Formal NQT induction assessment must not be extended to the end of the second year.