DfE Changes Guidance For Early Years Teachers – Here’s What It Means For ECTs

As we approach the end of the third year since the implementation on a national basis of the Early Career Framework (ECF), the Department for Education (DfE) has made revisions to their statutory guidance for Appropriate Bodies, Headteachers, ECTs, those who support them in schools and school Boards of Governors.These updates were implemented with effect from 1 September 2023, and therefore lay out the next steps in the ongoing effort to reform the teaching profession.Let’s start by analyzing what these changes really involve.The key change the DfE has announced is that sessions where Early Career Teachers meet with their Mentors will be officially recognised as time that has to occur within teaching hours - this means that schools will have to ensure that any first or second year teacher will be released to attend their mentoring sessions. However, the DfE does note that there may be exceptional circumstances when ECT mentoring sessions can be scheduled at different times if there are problems - this allows for flexibility in the scheme, which recognises that mentoring may occasionally have to take place outside of teaching hours. Nonetheless, the DfE stresses that the general principle is that all ECT mentoring sessions should take place within the times specified within a ECT’s contractual hours, thereby ensuring that activities related to the scheme do not take up time exceeding usual commitments.

There remains huge anxiety within the profession regarding the workload implications of the ECF, with surveys and reports again providing evidence of these concerns – a considerable number of ECTs state that their workload has increased as a result of the ECF requirements.

Again, it is clear that careful implementation and support need to be in place to ensure that the ECF achieves its aim of enhancing teacher induction, rather than further compounding pressure on the profession.

A New Shift In Who Oversees ECTs

Appropriate Bodies (ABs) are critical to quality assurance in the induction of ECTs, providing robust governance over the process.

The role of Local Authority-based ABs for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) has changed, and is changing.

From September 2023, schools have been unable to register new and part-completed ECTs with LA-based ABs, instead using Training School Hub (TSH)-based ABs for this; from September 2024, all ECTs registered with LA-based ABs will need to be transferred to TSH-based ABs to complete their ECT induction, and LA-based ABs will cease to function.

The NEU has said LA-based ABs have a unique ability in terms of the support they are able to provide to ECTs and schools beyond ECTs in their areas - it says that taking local authorities out of the induction process may hinder the ability to tailor local support in specific contexts, further complicating the process of the ECF.

New Rules for Teachers From Overseas

To maintain high‐quality teaching in the UK the Department for Education (DfE) has published guidelines for newly appointed overseas teachers who have gained UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Under these guidelines, if you are a teacher who was not trained in the UK, you must serve the full induction period if your teaching experience is less than two years full-time before receiving your QTS.

The requirement for an induction period reflects the DfE’s desire to ensure that all teachers satisfy the full range of professional standards required in the UK.

The induction is important in integrating overseas teachers into the UK education system, providing them with a knowledge of the curriculum, the standard of teaching and the culture of education so that they are effective and adaptable teachers in a new educational environment.

Final Thoughts On DfE Changes Guidance For Early Years Teachers

For ECTs in Lambeth, this revamped programme offers a sturdy platform to aid your professional journey.

Teaching is an extremely difficult and rewarding process, and this new guidance from the DfE is meant to help you through your journey to ensure success. 

As you walk through the door of your new classrooms as a Lambeth teacher, remember that this programme is designed to help you feel supported, developed, confident and effective.

By scheduling mentorship meetings during school hours (though allowance for extenuating circumstances is made) it keeps the ECF at the forefront of your mind without overshadowing everything else and becomes a regular and valuable part of your teaching life.

In conclusion, the updated guidance from the DfE highlights the ever-changing world of teacher induction and support.

For new ECTs in Lambeth this is due to lead to increased support, structured development and acceptance that there are many different ways in which you may have approached becoming a teacher.

You should enter this exciting period in your career with the thought that these changes will only help you to become the inspirational, effective teacher the children and young people of the future need.