Early Career Framework and Appropriate Body News (ECF & AB)
Class of July 2025 - Congratulations!
Approximately 121 ECTs successfully completed ECF induction with STEP Appropriate Body in the summer term. Throughout their two-year (or equivalent) Early Career Teacher phase they engaged in Best Practice Network self-study, locally facilitated training and in-school mentoring to underpin their professional growth and progress against the Teachers’ Standards. We are proud to celebrate their achievements here and wish them every success for the future.
Individual ECT and trained mentor graduations continue to occur as we progress through the new academic year which is always a joy, so congratulations to all!
Early Career Framework to Early Career Teacher Entitlement
September marked the beginning of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) and our collaboration with University College London (UCL). STEP are delighted to be working with another ‘outstanding’ Lead Provider, with both UCL and BPN securing the highest grade in their summer 2025 Ofsted inspections.
Whether ECF participants are continuing to train with BPN or ECTE teachers and mentors are embarking upon training with UCL, all can be certain of a high-quality, research-based programme, approved by the DfE and facilitated by local experts.
Registration Success
Thank you to Induction Tutors and Head Teachers for registering your ECTs and Mentors. We recognise this has been a little harder this year, as we straddle ECF and ECTE, so your perseverance and dedication to giving new teachers the best start possible is very much appreciated.
The DfE portal remains open for ECTE registration for Spring cohort starters, so if you have staff new to the profession joining your team, Induction Tutors must register ECTs with an Appropriate Body (e.g. STEP via ECT Manager) as well as a Lead Provider (e.g. UCL or BPN via DfE) for accurate TRA induction records and to ensure DfE funding. Successful registration enables ECTs and their mentors to access ECTE training programmes which underpin ECT progress against the Teachers’ Standards, thereby providing a crucial foundation for longevity and success within the profession.
Guidance can be found on our website at: Shropshire and Telford Education Partnership - ECF/AB (stepwm2.co.uk). Please contact us if you need any further assistance with this.
Just to reiterate, Term 1 ECTs should be registered with UCL as the Lead Provider on the DfE portal, whereas ECTs part-way through their induction who are changing schools should be registered with Best Practice Network (or other existing Lead Provider). Please contact the STEP Team with any questions.
Welcome!
We were pleased to meet new ECTE participants during our Welcome Conference and Training Days in September. It was fantastic to see so many coming together to understand their training programmes and entitlements, roles and responsibilities and network with fellow colleagues. While mentors continue to work through their asynchronous study package in UCL Extend before we meet again in person in the summer, ECTs meet with their local cohorts for facilitated training each half-term to supplement their online training programme and in-school mentoring.
Initial feedback has been extremely positive and we look forward to continuing to see your engagement and success as we move forwards.
Briefings and Drop-ins
Thank you to all those Induction Tutors who attended our IT Briefing in October. These termly updates are scheduled to share good practice and support ITs in the crucial role they hold in new teacher development. The next is scheduled for Wednesday 11th February at 3.30pm and we look forward to seeing you there. Your Teams invite will follow in due course.
It was lovely to speak with ECTs, Mentors and Induction Tutors during our recent drop-in events earlier in the month. These informal Teams calls allow participants to say hello, share experiences and ask any questions they may have so they can feel confident they are on the right track. Mentors working across two Lead Providers were also able to gain additional clarity as to how to work successfully both for their ECT and also in completing their own training. Our Spring Term drop-ins are scheduled for the 25th & 26th February 2026 and we will send the invites out for these in January.
STEP Reporting deadlines:
Our Autumn Term Professional Progress Review / Assessments for ECTs are due by Friday 12th December (except for ECTs commencing mid-term). Induction Tutors should complete these via ECT Manager.