The Early Career Framework - Getting Support for New Teachers Right, From the Start
4th June 2021 – Tags: Early Career Framework
By Nathalie Gotting, Early Career Lead, Windsor Academy Trust
It is exciting times to start a career in teaching!
The Early Career Framework (ECF) is a new package of extensive support which launches in September 2021 and will support all new teachers during their first two years.
It’s well known that the first years in any new profession can be challenging. The ECF recognises this and provides extensive support, specifically to new teachers.
“One of the most significant turning points of the decade” - Stephen Tierney, author of Educating with Purpose
Windsor Academy Trust has extensive experience in delivering programmes that support new teachers and is now offering the ECF as a delivery partner with University of Birmingham (UoB) and Capita.
We work very closely with UoB delivering Initial Teacher Education. The ECF partnership provides a natural progression from nurturing trainee teachers to supporting them in their first years of teaching (and beyond!).
About the Windsor Academy Trust Early Career Framework programme
From September, all new teachers on our ECF programme will benefit from:
- a dedicated expert mentor
- a detailed programme of support including:
- an ECF Conference at the start of the year
- a full day training with Jason Bangbala on his Conquering Low Level Disruption course
- self study materials that can be fitted in around timetable commitments
- six clinics throughout the year
- an additional 10% off timetable
- being part of a network of other new teachers.
Expert Mentor
An expert mentor will typically be a more experienced colleague teaching a similar subject/phase.
Mentor meetings will build upon lesson visits and use an instructional coaching methodology to focus on the new teacher's needs. Mentors will identify and model high leverage interventions to provide targeted support.
Self study
Each week a different module of self study will be considered. Each module will use videos, examples of teaching and learning and reflection activities to focus on classroom practice, underpinned by the latest educational research. Modules are arranged thematically, and a defined pathway ensures interleaving and gradual developmental progression.
Support throughout the year
The conference delivered at the start of the programme is an opportunity to learn about the programme and help teachers get the most out of the self study materials.
It will also give early career teachers (ECTs) the chance to meet other new teachers and develop those all-important networks of mutual support! The clinics each half term will also provide ECTs with further support and training and additional opportunities to meet up with other new teachers.
Conquering Low Level Disruption with Jason Bangbala
Jason Bangbala has delivered training to Windsor Academy Trust new teachers for many years. Jason's training sessions consistently receives outstanding feedback:
“A fantastic session; I use the behaviour management strategies all the time.”
“The session improved my confidence challenging low level disruption in lessons and highlighted the importance of fostering positive relationships with students.”
Early career teachers on our programme will have access to this training included.
New Teacher Network
Participants in our ECF programme will meet many new teachers across subjects and phases from many different settings. We actively support setting up groups for mutual support and collaboration.
Who is the Early Career Framework programme open to?
Any teacher starting teaching for the first time in September 2021 will be eligible to join our programme.
How do I register for the programme?
If you are an ECT starting in autumn, talk to your new school about ensuring you have a place on the programme.
If you are a school leader and you have recruited ECTs to start in September, register your school with Windsor Academy Trust below.