Appropriate Body FAQ

Is the ECF used for the assessment of induction?

The Early Career Framework is not an assessment framework and should not be used for assessment by an appropriate body. All ECTs will be assessed termly with progress reviews and assessments, against the Teachers' Standards.

Part time ECTs

Our appropriate body has the ability to reduce the induction period for ECTs who are completing induction on a part-time basis. We should only consider granting a reduction and bringing forward the final assessment point once the ECT has completed a period covering but not equivalent to two school years. An ECT starting induction in September 2021 and working 0.5FTE would ordinarily be expected to complete a four-year induction finishing in summer 2025, but can be considered for a reduction in summer term 2023. A prerequisite for considering reduction past the two-year point will be that the ECT is considered to be meeting the Teachers’ Standards. In making this decision, our team will consult the headteacher and must always gain the agreement of the teacher concerned.

Reduction to the two year Induction Period

 All ECTs are entitled to a two-year induction programme. Reductions to the length of induction are only be granted in exceptional circumstances and are likely only to be appropriate for ECTs who have significant experience of teaching prior to completing induction. As set out in the Induction statutory guidance, in exceptional individual cases, a headteacher or ECT might request a reduced induction period on the basis that the ECT meets the Teachers’ Standards. This will need to be evidenced through the Xavier Teaching School hub ‘Application for Reduced Induction’ which is then supported with headteacher sponsorship, an observation and professional discussion from a member of the central Xavier team, to decide if reducing the induction period is appropriate for the ECT. Cases are decided on an individual basis, the minimum period that can be counted towards completion of the induction period (for both full-time and part-time ECTs) is continuous employment equivalent to one term (based on an institution that operates three terms in a school year). As it is important that the ECT is in post long enough to be able to receive sufficient monitoring and feedback and prepare for a fair and reasonable assessment of their performance. Xavier appropriate body can therefore reduce the length of the induction period to a minimum of one term (at our discretion).

Understanding the process for extending an ECT

If Xavier appropriate body decide that an ECT’s performance has not satisfactorily met the relevant standards then we decide after consultation with the school to extend or in extenuating circumstances fail the ECT’s induction. An appropriate body can expect the ECT’s final formal assessment to detail which of the relevant standards the ECT’s performance is considered to have been met or not met, and what evidence supports the headteacher’s recommendation. Xavier will look at all the evidence to make an informed decision, where a school has not provided sufficient detail or sufficient evidence, or where we have not been assured that the school has a fair and appropriate approach to assessment, we may request to see additional detail or evidence that supports the headteacher’s recommendation. Each case must be decided on its own merits, but situations where extending an induction is reasonable could include:

• the ECT’s induction period has been disrupted due to personal crises, illness, or disability
• the ECT has not received the necessary support during induction
• there is insufficient evidence for an informed decision to be made about whether the ECT’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards is satisfactory

Failure to successfully complete an induction period will prevent the ECT being employed as a teacher in any school where statutory induction is mandatory and nor are they able to repeat induction. Except in cases of significant absence which lead to an induction being extended automatically (where absences total 30 days within one year), there is no prescribed length for extensions. Xavier can consider what length of extension is reasonable in order for the ECT to meet the relevant standards, Xavier will be required to check that ECTs serving an extended induction continue to receive the relevant timetable reduction.

ECTs who started induction before September 2021

These ECTs (NQTs) will complete the three term induction period that they started. The changes to induction apply to all ECTs who start their induction on or after 1st September 2021. ECTs who, on 1 September 2021, had started but not completed their induction, hereafter referred to as ‘the pre-September 2021 cohort’ have until 1 September 2023 to complete induction within three terms. The pre-September 2021 cohort should continue to have regard to previous statutory guidance, last revised in April 2018.

What happens if an ECT fails induction?

An ECT has only one chance to complete statutory induction. 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. If Xavier appropriate body decides that the ECT has failed to complete their induction period satisfactorily, they will inform the ECT of their right to appeal against this decision, with the name and address of the Appeals Body (the Teaching Regulation Agency), and the deadline for submitting an appeal. The ECT must notify the Teaching Regulation Agency that they wish to appeal the decision within 20 working days, after which the right of appeal expires except in exceptional circumstances.

Institutions where induction can’t be served

Workplaces which cannot offer statutory induction are:

• a secure training centre
• a secure children’s home
• a school requiring special measures (i.e. one which is eligible for intervention under section 62 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006), except in cases where Ofsted have judged a school, or part of a school, to be suitable to host induction
• an FE institution where, following an Ofsted inspection, it is reported that the overall effectiveness of the institution, or part of its education or training, has been judged to be inadequate (category 4) except in cases where Ofsted has judged the institution or part of the institution to be suitable to host induction

Relevant schools and academies can continue to host induction where a teacher was employed on an employment-based initial teacher training scheme in the school prior to gaining QTS, or had already started an induction period in the setting, before it entered special measures. Xavier should be satisfied that such circumstances will not unfairly compromise the ECT’s ability to complete induction successfully.

What are the statutory requirements for induction - The headteacher/principal must ensure that the ECT has a reduced timetable. In the first year (terms 1-3) of induction an ECT must not teach more than 90% of the timetable of the school’s existing teachers on the main pay range and in the second year (terms 4-6) of induction must not teach more than 95%. This is in addition to the timetable reduction in respect of planning, preparation and assessment time (PPA) that all teachers receive.

What happened if an ECT leaves the role during induction?

When an ECT leaves a post after completing one term or more in an institution but before the next formal assessment would take place, the induction tutor or headteacher is expected to complete an interim assessment. This is expected to take place before the ECT leaves their post to ensure that the ECT’s progress and performance since the last assessment are captured. This is especially important where concerns about progress may have arisen. The information recorded on the interim assessment report will help to ensure that induction can be continued effectively in any subsequent post.

What happens if an ECT is employed mid year?

The Department for Education has instructed all ECF Providers to run a January Cohort of the Early Career Framework Programme.  The key principles of any ECF programme (no matter when it starts) are guided by the DfE's Statutory Guidance for Induction for ECTs (linked here):The January programme will be delivered over 2 years, as the September cohort is. This means Programme Members will start their programme in January 2022 and finish it in Dec 2023.