Early career teacher (ECT) induction: summary

Read about your school's requirements and responsibilities for the statutory 2-year induction period for early career teachers (ECTs).

updated on 6 September 2023
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School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 38997
Contents
  1. Early career induction (ECI) period is statutory 
  2. Your school can choose from 3 types of induction programmes
  3. Your school's induction programme will be based on the ECF
  4. ECTs will have 2 formal assessments
  5. Transition arrangements from NQTs

Statutory guidance on induction for early career teachers (ECTs) came into force in September 2021 and the transition period for this ended on 1 September 2023. This guidance and the term 'ECT' replaces old guidance and wording on 'NQTs'.

Early career induction (ECI) period is statutory 

Your school is required to deliver a 2-year induction programme, underpinned by the Early Career Framework (ECF) (see the section below).

To teach in maintained schools

  • All teachers must have completed (or be working towards) an ECI period

To teach in academies, free schools, independent schools or in further education

  • An ECI period is not required, but these settings may still choose to offer ECTs a statutory induction period

During an induction period, ECTs have timetable reductions from the rest of the teaching staff

These are:

Maintained and special schools are eligible for funding to cover timetable reductions

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