NQT changing to ECT

[Zig27]

The NQT year is changing to 2 years and renamed as ECT (Early Careers Teacher).

Is this better than the current system?

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/972316/Statutory_Induction_Guidance_2021_final__002_____1___1_.pdf

I'm mentoring someone on the ECT programme as we are in a pilot area. Like a lot of things, it has it's pros and cons.

I think the biggest positive is that I will still mentor my ECT in his second year (used to be the RQT year). The idea is we meet fortnightly rather than weekly. We won't have to track standards in the 2nd year as he will pass his NQT this year but going forward, they would still evidence the standards. I think the extra mentoring will have a positive impact on retention and it will be good for my ECT to still have some support through the 2nd year.

The online programme of learning we find less useful to be honest. Some scenarios aren't applicable to our setting so we tweak things and do the parts that are relevant to us.

I have to say, our school has absolutely exceptional provision for trainees and ECTs. Mentors are chosen very, very carefully which I think makes a massive difference. I have a great relationship with my ECT and have enjoyed watching him grow professionally.

I think in schools where provision is less good, a two year programme may not be of benefit.

I've read mixed things. On the face of it the ECF sounds brilliant. But the online stuff sounds like a lot of workload for the mentor. I saw 1.5 hours online per half term. That's quite a chunk on top of mentor meetings and teaching FT.

I think the rollout has come at the wrong time. It would be better in some ways to delay for a year and implement it properly. This year it will be done badly because no one has time to look at it and consider how it will work in their setting.

I think on the face of it it's a good idea, another year of gentle support can only be a good thing for new teachers and help in their retention.
Perhaps this year, under the mad circumstances, it's not the best time to implement a change and they could have waited till sep 2022.
It does look like it might take a bit if extra time.

Another positive is it might also stop some schools from their bad habit of giving 1 year contracts to NQTs just because they can.