Early career teacher (ECT) induction: summary

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

Last reviewed on 26 July 2023See updates
School types: AllSchool phases: AllRef: 42308
Contents
  1. The early career induction (ECI) period is statutory 
  2. Choose from 3 different types of induction programme
  3. Base your induction programme on the Early Career Framework (ECF)
  4. Appoint both an induction tutor and an induction mentor
  5. Keep in contact with your 'appropriate body'
  6. ECTs will have 2 formal assessments
  7. Transition arrangements from NQTs

Statutory guidance on induction for early career teachers (ECTs) came into force in September 2021, and has been updated for September 2023. This guidance and the term 'ECT' replaces old guidance and wording on 'NQTs'.

The early career induction (ECI) period is statutory 

The ECI period is a 2-year induction programme, underpinned by the Early Career Framework (ECF) (see the section below).

The period may be extended by the appropriate body (see section 5) for reasons including: 

  • Personal crises
  • Illness
  • Disability
  • Issues around the support during induction
  • Where there's not enough documentation to make a decision about the ECT's performance

To teach in maintained schools

  • All teachers must have completed or (be working towards) an ECI period
  • Where teachers have significant experience before entering the maintained sector for the first time, the appropriate body may choose to reduce the induction period to a minimum of 1 term 

An ECI period is