A suitable post

In order for the ECT to serve induction the headteacher and appropriate body must first agree that the post is suitable for this purpose. In particular a suitable post must:

• have a headteacher/principal to make the recommendation about whether the ECT's performance against the Teachers' Standards is satisfactory;
• have prior agreement with an appropriate body to act in this role to quality assure the induction process;
• provide the ECT with an ECF-based induction programme;
• provide the ECT with the necessary employment tasks, experience and support to enable them to demonstrate satisfactory performance against the Teachers' Standards throughout and by the end of the induction period;
• include the appointment of an induction tutor, who is expected to hold QTS;
• include the appointment of a designated mentor who is expected to hold QTS;
• provide the ECT with a reduced timetable to enable them to undertake activities in their induction programme;
• not make unreasonable demands upon the ECT;
• not normally demand teaching outside the age range and/or subject(s) for which the ECT has been employed to teach;
• not present the ECT, on a day-to-day basis, with discipline problems that are unreasonably demanding for the setting;
• involve the ECT regularly teaching the same class(es);
• involve similar planning, teaching and assessment processes to those in which other teachers working in similar substantive posts in the institution are engaged; and
• not involve additional non-teaching responsibilities without the provision of appropriate preparation and support.

In addition, the governing body must be satisfied that the institution has the capacity to support the ECT and that the headteacher/principal is fulfilling their responsibilities.

These questions may help ECTs identify an appropriate school in which to carry out their induction period.

• When was the last time the school employed an ECT?
• Will there be any other ECTs employed at the school?
• Will you be following the full, provider led, ECF programme with OTSH?
• Who is likely to be your induction tutor?
• Who is likely to be your mentor?
• Will your mentor meetings be included in your timetable (they should be)?
• Will the mentor have time on their timetable for mentor meetings?
• What support is provided in addition to the statutory requirements?
• How often will you be observed and given feedback during the induction period?
• Who will be observing you? 

It is possible to complete ECT Induction in post-16 organisations, however we would like to draw your attention to the Statutory Guidance which states:

"An FE institution, sixth-form college or 16–19 academy wishing to offer an ECT a post in which to serve a statutory induction period must ensure that: 

• normally no more than 10% of the ECT's teaching in the FE institution is devoted to teaching classes predominantly consisting of pupils aged 19 and over; 
• to enable them to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of day-to-day practices and the role of a teacher in a school, ECTs must spend the equivalent of at least ten days teaching children of compulsory school age in a school during their induction; and
• every effort is made to provide the ECT with up to a further 15 days’ experience in a school setting."

Please note that OTSA will support post-16 organisations in finding schools for ECTs to spend their mandatory ten days teaching children of compulsory school age by providing introductions to headteachers and lead induction tutors in OTSA partner schools. However, the arrangements for the placement, including any payments to the placement school, are the responsibility of the post-16 organisation. OTSA cannot guarantee a placement for the ECT and therefore the arrangements for the placement must be agreed and confirmed in writing by the host school before OTSA will register the ECT for induction. The placement may take place as a block placement, or as a series of days throughout the induction period.