Special circumstances
Leaving or changing school
When an ECT leaves a post after completing one term or more in an institution but before the next formal assessment would take place, the induction tutor or headteacher is expected to complete an interim assessment.
This is expected to take place before the ECT leaves their post in order to ensure that the ECT's progress and performance since the last assessment are captured. This is especially important where concerns about progress may have arisen. The information recorded on the interim assessment form will help to ensure that induction can be continued effectively in any subsequent post. This is also required if the ECT leaves during their final term of induction.
If an ECT leaves a post having completed less than one term (65 days) in an institution, this time does not count towards induction, however, sometimes it is still necessary to complete an interim assessment.
Please contact us in advance to ensure that an interim assessment form, if required, is completed and submitted before the ECT leaves the school.
Reduced Induction Period
Even though some teachers already have significant teaching experience when they enter the maintained sector for the first time, they are still required to serve statutory induction. In such cases, appropriate bodies have discretion to reduce the length of the induction period to a minimum of one term (based on a school year of three terms) to recognise this experience.
In making such a decision they must take account of advice from the headteacher and must gain the agreement of the teacher concerned. If a teacher wishes to serve the full induction period they must be permitted to do so.
The appropriate body must consider and will want to see evidence of previous experience and performance in order to reach their decision including performance management or appraisal documentation from previous teaching employment. In all cases, the school will be required to submit the ECT's Teachers' Standards Evidence Form.
Reductions should only be considered where an ECT was previously employed on a teacher's contract and has extensive prior experience of teaching whole-classes to the Teachers’ Standards. Any time spent undertaking Initial Teacher Training or employment as a Teaching Assistant will not count.
Examples of when this discretion might be considered appropriate include a teacher who has taught in the independent sector or who has gained QTS via the assessment-only route. In such cases, only the final assessment meeting and report will be required with the headteacher’s recommendation on whether the teacher’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards is satisfactory or not. The appropriate body will then consider the request. If the school recommends that the ECT has not met the Teachers' Standards, the reduced induction request will not be granted.
Separately, ECTs serving induction on a part-time basis may, on completion of a period covering but not equivalent to two full years, be able to have their induction period reduced. It is for the appropriate body to consider whether to grant a reduction and bring forward the final assessment point. When considering whether to reduce a part-time ECT’s induction, the appropriate body is expected to consult the headteacher/principal and must gain the agreement of the teacher concerned. A reduction should only be made on the basis that the ECT has met the Teachers’ Standards.
Examples of where OTSA will consider reducing the induction period:
Significant teaching experience as a teacher in:
- An independent school
- An Academy or Free School
- An FE institution
- A British School overseas
- Any other institution where induction may be served
and/or
Significant teaching experience as:
- An unqualified teacher
- A teacher in a school where induction cannot normally be served
- A teacher in a school that did not register them for induction
- A teacher in an overseas school
- A part-time teacher who has completed a period covering but not equivalent to two full years
Requesting a reduced induction period
To request a reduced induction period login to ECT Manager and download a 'Reduced Induction Request Form' from the 'Resources' section and send it, with a copy of the ECT's Teachers' Standards Evidence Form, to the ECT Induction Administrator a minimum of 10 working days before the date of the assessment (proposed end date of induction period).
Teachers trained in Scotland or Northern Ireland
Teachers who trained in either Scotland or Northern Ireland can apply for QTS in England without any further fees or training.
Teachers Trained in Ireland
Teachers from Ireland who have full registration as they have completed induction with the Teaching Council in Ireland (TCI) and who wish to apply to work in England can apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). They are exempt from completing an induction period.
Teachers from Ireland who only have conditional registration with the TCI as they have not completed induction are not eligible for QTS. As they do not have QTS they are not eligible for statutory induction and therefore not eligible for the associated funding. This has always been the case, and ‘shadow’ inductions in the past have not been organised with the involvement of the Department for Education in England. With the introduction of the ECF the TCI has updated its procedures and going forward will only recognise induction processes that are formally recognised by relevant competent authorities.
In April 2021, the TCI advised all final year student teachers to seek specific advice if they intended to work overseas with a view to completing an recognised induction process.
For the avoidance of doubt, however, teachers from Ireland with conditional registration status can work as a teacher in England without QTS. They can teach without QTS for up to four years in a maintained school, and for an unlimited period in an academy, free school, or private school, although without QTS they will not be eligible for induction.
If they do wish to gain QTS in the future, their main options would be to:
Once they have two years of experience, they can apply for QTS via the Assessment Only route.
Or, they can gain their full registration in Ireland and then apply for QTS.
To gain their full registration in Ireland, a teacher with conditional registration status can complete Droichead, the formal induction process in Ireland.
The TCI will also recognise formal induction processes completed in other countries where they are recognised by the competent authority.
Overseas Trained Teachers
Depending on where they qualified, the subject they teach and their qualifications and experience, overseas trained teachers may be able to apply to have their teaching qualifications recognised in England.
Teachers not eligible for QTS recognition should get in touch with the OTT SCITT to discuss the training options available.
Post 16 PGCE Trained Teachers
Post 16 qualified teachers may be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills Status (QTLS).
Since April 2012, FE trained teachers with QTLS have been recognised in legislation as equivalent in status to teachers with QTS in schools. They are able to teach across all subjects and all ages on equal pay and conditions.
Teachers with QTLS are exempt from ECT Induction.
Teachers with post-16 qualifications who do not hold QTLS should be employed on the 'unqualified teacher' payscale.
To find out more about QTLS visit:
Society for Education and Training
