Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE)

Early career teacher entitlement (ECTE) is a 2-year programme that supports early career teachers (ECTs) when they start their teaching career. It’s designed to: 

  • develop their professional skills 
  • provide them with the knowledge and skills to meet the  teachers’ standards 

 It includes: 

  • a training programme for ECTs 
  • mentor support for ECTs 
  • a training programme for new mentors (if the school uses a DfE funded lead provider) 
  • time off timetable for ECTs and mentors 
  • regular progress reviews and 2 formal assessments for ECTs against the teachers’ standards 

The term ‘early career teacher entitlement (ECTE)’ replaces ‘ECF-based training and induction’ from September 2025.

Does an ECT only have one chance to complete statutory induction?

Yes, an ECT who has completed induction, and is judged to have failed to meet the Teachers’ Standards at the end of their induction period, is not permitted to repeat induction.

An ECT is encouraged to start their induction as soon as possible after gaining qualified teacher status (QTS) but there is no set time limit for starting or completing an induction period.

Is the ITTECF used to assess the ECT progress during their 2-year induction? 

No. The ECT is assessed at the midway and end point of the induction period against the Teachers’ Standards. The ITTECT is not an assessment framework. It is an evidence based professional development curriculum which is carefully sequenced to help ECT understand what they should know and be able to do. It is designed to support their progress against the Teachers’ Standards.

Do I have to register with an appropriate body

Yes, all early career teachers must be registered with an appropriate body (AB) before they can begin induction. Registering for AB services is separate to registering for our ECT training programme.

The DfE has recently announced reform to the AB sector. From September 2023, Local Authorities will no longer be able to take on new ECTs. 

  • From September 2023, all new ECTs will need to be registered with their local Teaching School Hub for AB services

For more information on the role of appropriate bodies please see here.

Who will be completing the induction sign off

The Appropriate Body makes the final decision as to whether an Early Career Teacher has performed satisfactorily towards the Teachers’ standards.