Welcome to SecEd’s annual supplement for early career teachers (ECTs), offering 16 pages of advice to help new teachers survive and thrive at the chalkface. From professional conduct to safeguarding, from wellbeing tips to common challenges, and some useful classroom ideas to boot – this supplement is packed full of practical guidance for new teachers everywhere
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Download: A survival guide for early career teachers

The supplement offers a range of practical advice to support trainee teachers and those teachers in the first years of their careers – especially those colleagues starting life as an ECT in September.

Articles in this edition of the supplement include

  • What does it mean to be a professional? What does it mean to be part of the education profession? What does it mean to finally step up and become a teacher?
  • Maintaining the professionalism that is required of a teacher is not necessarily an easy feat. We offer ECTs 10 ways to build and maintain your professional persona
  • The Highway Code for ECTs: With high numbers of ECTs still quitting in their first few years, it is essential that we develop healthy habits and look after ourselves on our teaching journey...
  • Safeguarding: Getting it right: From the moment you start in your role in school, you have safeguarding responsibilities and form a vital part of the safeguarding culture in your school. Where do you begin?
  • Five ideas to retain your joy in teaching: A third of new teachers quit after five years. What can you do to stay mentally well and retain your joy in teaching?
  • Thriving, not just surviving: Cultivating your wellbeing in your first years of teaching is key if you want to thrive and not simply survive. Here are eight secrets to get ECTs started
  • Marking and feedback can be a driver of workload and burn-out. So what practices and habits must ECTs develop now to support their students while also protecting themselves?
  • One of the secrets to hitting the ground running as a new teacher is adopting effective routines in your lesson planning and teaching practice. We offer you 10 to get you going.