New programme for Early Career Teachers now LIVE
Applications are now open for the September 2023 cohort of the National Institute of Teaching’s Early Career Teachers programme.
Our programme offers:
Personalised learning: Our self-directed study materials will help ECTs learn what they need, when they need it. Our curriculum builds on what’s gone before, but reduces repetition from ITT years.
1:1 support: Mentors will be able to access relevant training and development to support their ECTs on their learning journey, and will support and guide their ECTs through the first two years with clear action steps.
Learning from others: Our local networking sessions allow ECTs and mentors to solve thorny problems together, learning from others on their doorsteps.
Access to international experts: Our unique in-depth webinars give ECTs and mentors the chance to learn from international experts on behaviour, literacy and formative assessment.
Our programme is respectful of your time
Reuben Moore, Executive Director of Programmes at the National Institute of Teaching, said:
"We have designed a programme that we believe is incredibly respectful of the time of ECTs and their mentors.
"The Early Career Framework is an important and valuable addition to new teacher induction accelerating new teachers to success more quickly and building the foundations for a thriving career in teaching.
"We’ve heard feedback that it can feel like additional workload and complex registration processes can add to the burden for schools.
“Our flexible and feasible programme reduces unnecessary workload, while still maintaining high-quality content and delivery. It provides excellent content from the best research but also links to how this can be put to work in classrooms for greater success.”
"Above all, we know that headteachers want to invest in their ECTs – they want the best teachers in their classrooms, giving children the best possible lessons.
“Our school-led programme takes the pain out of registering ECTs and mentors for the programme, offers highly contextual study and access to cutting edge research.”
Why study with us?
We are school-led. We understand the unpredictability of school life – the day-to-day challenges that teachers face. We want our teachers to be in school, working with great mentors and colleagues to learn everything they can, without causing disruption to an already complex timetable.
Be part of a movement for change. The NIoT is a pioneering institute, representing schools and trusts across the country. Our large reach of trusted partners and networks means teachers and leaders can learn from each other. Our research function directly influences our programmes, meaning participants learn from relevant, up-to-date research. We’re shaping the education system for the better.
Unique benefits of our exceptional programme
- Unique wellbeing check: Our teacher wellbeing model is informed by research, and takes a pulse survey of teachers and mentors when they are engaging with the programme. This will inform a national conversation about ECF satisfaction, and gives us the opportunity to learn and adapt in real-time.
- Minimal disruption: Events are a combination of online and in-person, to minimize disruption to teaching. This also reduces the need for travel, fosters small group meetings, specialist sessions and networking.
- Application matters: We understand that ECTs may have limited time for reading, which is why we prioritize application over extensive reading. Our programme places a strong emphasis on the mentor-ECT relationship, allowing us to provide bespoke sessions for each ECT and facilitating genuine networking opportunities. With reduced travel and more time spent in school, our programme is designed to help manage workload and prioritize wellbeing.
- Highly contextual study: Our robust cycle of mentoring, feedback, observation/actions, and reflection ensures that all study is contextualized and applied in practice. ECTs will have ample opportunity to regularly observe others to inform their practice and progression. Our programme also includes subject/phase seminars to help make learning more relevant in year 2. We prioritize the mentor-ECT relationship and offer specialist sessions from industry experts. With a focus on context-specific mentoring, our programme is tailored to meet the needs of ECTs in each phase/subject.
- Focus on the mentor-ECT relationship: The mentor-ECT relationship is priority on this programme, and our specialist sessions from industry experts also assist mentors in building effective mentoring relationships.
- Support for mentors: Our Early Career Framework (ECF) programme provides focused training to help mentors develop their mentoring and coaching skills. As a mentor, you will receive ongoing support throughout the programme to help you grow and develop your skills further. We have a tailored programme for repeat mentors to reduce the time required for future study. Our structured cycle for mentor/ECT is designed to streamline and reduce the organisational onus on the mentor. We also provide support to contextualize the programme through subject/phase-specific training and an observation cycle.
- Open source materials: Our open-source materials offer flexibility for mentors to study at a time that works for them. With fewer in-person sessions, our programme is designed to reduce pressure on schools and mentors. We prioritize workload management and wellbeing and provide optional sessions from industry experts to supplement the learning experience.