ECTP Course Overview

The ECT Programme supports both Early Career Teachers and their Mentors through a carefully sequenced, evidence-informed curriculum. 

At a Glance

Length: Two years 

Delivery: Blended (online modules, face-to-face and virtual sessions) 

Cost: Fully funded by the Department for Education  

Focus: Evidence-informed teaching and instructional coaching 

ECTs engage with high-quality training materials based on the best available research, alongside regular mentoring and coaching to apply their learning in the classroom.

How the ECT Programme Works

ECTs learn through a blend of online study, live sessions and instructional coaching.  

Over two years, the programme includes:  

   - Three full-day conferences 
   - 35 online modules (typically one per fortnight) 
   - Six facilitated online clinics 
   - Weekly coaching from a mentor in year one 
   - Fortnightly coaching from a mentor in year two 

Each online module includes videos, reflection tasks, and diagnostic activities to support practical application in the classroom. 

What ECTs Will Learn

 The Early Career Training Programme is aligned with the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF), which sets out what early career teachers need to know and be able to do.  

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ECTs develop their practice across four core areas:  

Behaviour 

- Establish clear routines and expectations 
- Create a positive classroom culture 
- Respond to disruption and restore relationships 
- Support pupils to regulate behaviour and emotions 
- Foster resilience and positive attitudes to challenge 

Instruction 

- Build on pupils’ prior knowledge 
- Deliver clear explanations and modelling 
- Design effective practice and scaffolding 
- Support long-term retention through retrieval 
-Increase challenge to deepen thinking 

Curriculum and Assessment 

- Sequence knowledge across lessons and topics 
- Identify and address misconceptions 
- Use formative assessment effectively 
- Provide high-quality feedback 
- Adapt teaching to meet pupil needs 

Professional Practice 

- Engage with high-quality research 
- Manage workload and responsibilities 
- Contribute to school culture 
- Reflect on and improve practice over time 

 Curriculum Structure

Each term of the ECT Induction has its own ‘Theme’. This helps to tie the four areas of learning into a logical flow as the two year induction goes on.  

During each Theme, a variety of areas will be covered, giving ECTs the opportunity to develop their skills over time and revisit key areas with increasing degrees of complexity. 

Cost and Eligibility

Funding

This programme is fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE).  

Schools receive funding to support:  

- 10% timetable reduction for ECTs in year one 
- 5% timetable reduction in year two 
- Mentor time and support 

Eligibility 

ECTs are eligible if they: 

- Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) 
- Started their Induction on or after 1st September, 2021 
- Work in an eligible school or setting 

Find out more about funding and eligibility for the ECTP.