NAHT has welcomed the development of the Early Career Framework (ECF), which is a new approach to supporting teachers in the first two years of their career.

From September 2021, the statutory period of induction for newly qualified teachers (NQTs) will increase to two years. The NQT period will be underpinned by an entitlement to a two-year programme of structured training and development.

The DfE has committed to providing additional funding for:

• a 5% timetable reduction for teachers in their second year of teaching;
• ECF programmes; and
• time for mentors and mentor training.

Early rollout from September 2020
The DfE has confirmed the details for areas involved in the early roll out of the ECF. This will begin in September 2020 in the following areas:

• the north east;
• Greater Manchester;
• Bradford; and
• Doncaster.

The DfE will use the findings from the early rollout to inform the full national rollout from September 2021.

Early rollout will not be mandatory, but the DfE is encouraging all eligible schools to participate.

Who can opt in to the early rollout?
All schools in early rollout areas, with an early career teacher starting induction in September 2020, will be eligible to opt in.

This will give them access to funding and training to support the development of early career teachers and their mentors.

Although the ECF support package will last two years in the early rollout areas, the statutory induction period for an NQT will continue to be one year.

After one year, early career teachers will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards to determine whether they have passed induction. There is no change to present arrangements.

More information is available at on the DfE website.

First published 18 March 2019