Our expert panel explores the Department for Education’s new Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework – due to come into effect in September 2025.
The combined ITT-ECF sets out what trainee and ECTs need to know – and know how to do – at the start of their careers and the panel discuss what is in the new combined framework and how it might work in practice, including how the distinct ITT and ECF elements will work together and key elements such as SEND and inclusive practice.
We also touch upon the eight standards within the framework and invite our guests to pick out some of the elements crucial to meeting these standards.
We discuss the transition from being a trainee teacher to being an ECT, including how trainees can best be supported to progress from trainee to ECT and then to successfully complete their induction and become fully qualified.
We offer advice on a number of specific issues, including how ECTs can manage their priorities and embed themselves into their new schools as well as advice for trainees when applying for their first teaching job, among other “top tips” for new teachers.
Our panel also discusses mentorship – what skills do good ECT mentors need and what support should they be offering to new teachers? What should new teachers expect from their mentors?
This episode is hosted by Matt Bromley, an education journalist, author, and advisor with 25 years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as a secondary school headteacher. His guests for this discussion are:
- Elizabeth Jobling is acting principal of the Leadership and Training Centre based at the 5 Dimensions Trust in Milton Keynes. The centre opened in 2012 to provide nationally accredited and bespoke professional development and training for leaders in education. Find Elizabeth’s previous contributions to SecEd via www.sec-ed.co.uk/authors/elizabeth-jobling
- Shanti Chahal has worked in teaching at both secondary and primary level, including as an English subject lead and a curriculum developer. She currently works for e-Qualitas Teacher Training as a English subject lead and lead mentor for wellbeing. Find Shanti’s previous contributions to SecEd via www.sec-ed.co.uk/authors/shanti-chahal
- Tom Fisher is in his 12th year of teaching and works as a teacher of PE at Orchard School in Bristol. He is in his second year as an ECT induction tutor and has also recently been appointed senior ITT mentor. Find Tom’s previous contributions to SecEd via www.sec-ed.co.uk/authors/tom-fisher
To hear other SecEd podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'The SecEd Podcast' in your podcast streaming application of choice. Or visit www.sec-ed.co.uk/podcasts. For details about The SecEd Podcast, or to suggest future topics, email editor Pete Henshaw at editor@sec-ed.co.uk