Early Career Teachers

The National Institute of Teaching’s Early Career Teacher programme delivers flexible training and relevant support, to help teachers succeed right from the start.

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 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.

• Built-in flexibility and wellbeing innovative pulse surveys monitor ECT experiences, providing timely support. For September 2025, enjoy customisable module sequencing aligned with your school's priorities.
• A contextual learning blend of online and in-person delivery minimises disruption while maximising impact. We focus on practical application through targeted mentoring cycles of observation, feedback, and reflection, rather than emphasising extensive reading.
• Enhanced mentor support through comprehensive training develops coaching expertise without administrative burden. Access phase-specific resources and expert sessions to support ECT development effectively.
• Our research-informed approach shaped by our research team's insights, including studies on rural and coastal schools, has guided our innovative 2025 programme design. Year 1 builds on ITT foundations, while Year 2 deepens strategic application and career development.

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.

We take the pain out of recruiting ECTs. The Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) is an important and valuable addition to new teacher induction, but so far it has often been accompanied by heavy admin loads and complex registration processes. Our flexible and feasible ECT programme reduces unnecessary workload, while still maintaining high-quality content and delivery.

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.

How learning is facilitated:

ECTs will have weekly meetings with a designated mentor. These meetings will involve a cycle of self-study, actions, observations and deliberate practice to set specific action steps, allowing new teachers to build great habits in their teaching. More specifically, ECTs will receive a weekly 15-minute observation, with feedback from their mentor, which will allow ECTs to focus on making small, incremental, manageable improvements to their teaching practice.

To find out more about our curriculum and talk to our team, click here.

In their first year of teaching, ECTs are entitled to a 10% reduction in their timetable. In their second year, their entitlement will be reduced by 5%. This allows for regular mentoring, study and action from the ECT and ensures there is space for them to embed their learning. Schools are funded for and should facilitate this when planning their timetable. To hear more about how best to prepare your school for the ECTE, listen to our induction tutor podcast here.

It’s required that mentors also be given intentional timetable capacity, to provide the best support for the ECT. The investment in ensuring mentors have this time to meet their ECT as well as to observe them every week is vital for the ECT’s progress, confidence and development.

Our regional campuses are in: Birmingham, Blackburn, Bradford, Bristol, Doncaster, Liverpool, London or Redcar. For more information on the nearest delivery school or centre, please click here.

Participants will continue to be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards during their ECT years by their Appropriate Body and won't be asked to collect evidence against the ECTE. Schools will need to choose their own Appropriate Body. This programme gives training and support for early career teachers and should not be seen as an additional assessment tool.

Partner with us and let our programme support your school in providing an excellent experience for your early career teachers and their mentors. 

Complete this form to tell us that you would like to use the National Institute of Teaching's Early Career Teacher Programme with your Early Career Teachers and mentors.

You can also contact us by email for more information about the Early Career Teacher programme.

Teachers are eligible for funding if they:

• have obtained Qualified Teacher (QTS) status
• started induction on or after 1 September 2021

Teachers who have obtained Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, are not required to take part in this programme and do not qualify for funding. Schools that are not accredited for Section 41 funding, or are nurseries, are not eligible for Early Career Framework (ECF) funding from the Department for Education (DfE). This includes independent schools, Welsh establishments, and British schools overseas.

Find out more about funding and eligibility for the ECT programme here.