An early careers teacher (ECT) needs to complete an induction period of six terms, or equivalent. This begins when they first take up a post that lasts for a term or more.
Ideally, inductions should be started as soon as possible after a person gains qualified teacher status (QTS). However, there is no set limit for starting or completing an induction period.
An induction will build on what a person did to achieve qualified teacher status.
The induction is statutory, which comes under the Education Act 2002 and the Education Regulations 2012, however statutory induction is not a legal requirement to teach in further education or the independent sector, academies, free schools and British schools overseas, but may be served in these settings.
Schools are expected to deliver an induction period that is underpinned by the Early Careers Framework.
ECT must show that they have met the teaching standards to be able to continue to teach and to remain registered with the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
More details are in 'Statutory Guidance for the Induction of early careers teachers', which can be obtained from the Department for Education website.
For more information on a career in teaching visit the get into teaching pages on the Department for Education website.
This page was last updated on 7 November 2022