Supporting newly qualified teachers

The programme has been announced as part of a two-year package to support new teachers at the start of their career and  aims to support early career teachers by helping them to engage in regular, constructive dialogues with their peers and mentors.

It will be delivered by the Early Career Framework Consortium - a partnership of universities and schools involving the Institute of Education, UCL; Manchester Metropolitan University; Doncaster Research School by Partners in Learning, and Greetland Academy Trust.

Working with the North East Teaching Schools Partnership (NETSP), a collaboration between Newcastle University and primary and secondary schools across the region, experts from the schools and the University will design a suite of free resources for new teachers and mentors.

The materials will be aimed at helping recently qualified teachers apply new learning in their work and strengthen their professional identity, knowledge and skills over time. 

Professor René Koglbauer, Dean of Lifelong Learning and Professional Practice at Newcastle University said: “As Newcastle University is committed to the lifelong learning agenda, we are delighted that we are able to continue to support early career teachers beyond their initial teacher training. Building on the North East Teaching Schools Partnership’s role in school leadership development, it will not only bring immense educational and professional expertise to the ECF consortium but also the regional intelligence.”

Working with schools

The Early Career Framework Consortium will offer support packages for schools in the North East, Bradford, Doncaster and Greater Manchester as part of an early roll-out from September 2020, ahead of a national roll-out in September 2021.

Anita Bath, Chair of NETSP said, “One of the main strengths of our consortium is how university and school providers are working seamlessly together to improve the support given to teachers in their early years, when we know they are most vulnerable to leaving the profession. 

“Within our consortium we are fortunate to have not only Newcastle University but also three SCITTs, Carmel Multi Academy Trust, Shotton Hall Research School and Sacred Heart Trust. We are a proven partnership in delivering National Professional Qualifications and are delighted to be extending our collaboration to deliver the ECF.”

Training high quality teachers

Lesley Powell CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the North East Learning Trust and Shotton Hall Research School, said: “Speaking on behalf of all partner schools in the ECF Consortium, I am delighted to offer our combined workforce development experience and expertise as part of the Early Career Framework initiative. We are each practised in developing high-quality teachers through our evidence-informed initial teacher training and professional development programmes, and we look forward to ensuring the framework is adopted and used effectively in schools across the country.”

The North East schools involved in the Early Career Framework consortium are: Carmel College, Darlington; Emmanuel College, Gateshead; Prince Bishops Teaching School Alliance, South Tyneside and Sunderland; Sacred Heart Catholic High School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Sandhill View School, Sunderland; The Sele First School, Hexham; Shotton Hall Research School, Peterlee; St John Vianney Roman Catholic Primary School and Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Hartlepool; St Thomas More Catholic School, Blaydon and WISE Academies, Sunderland.

The training materials are expected to be ready within the next six months and will then be made available to any school.

Schools interested in getting involved can register their interest at www.netsp.co.uk/ecf/