ECF/ECTE
There is no such thing as a great school without great teachers. Here at Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub NW we believe that developing great teachers is the key to ensuring a world class education system. Teaching is a unique profession that involves a blend of professional knowledge and skill, personal challenge, and a deep sense of purpose. It is a complex, yet extremely rewarding job. We believe that supporting teachers right from the beginning of their careers is essential to making our vision of a world class education for all, a reality.
Early Career Framework (ECF)
The Early Career Framework (ECF) was part of the new, statutory reforms by the Department for Education (DfE) designed to significantly improve the experience of Early Career Teachers (ECTs) introduced in September 2021. The introduction of the ECF enabled all ECTs and mentors to be registered on a two year ECF training programme and, during this, they followed a programme of professional development covering the ECF. All ECTs and Mentors who started their training before April 2025 will remain on the ECF programme.
Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE)
The Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) replaces ECF-based training and induction from September 2025 (teachers and mentors registered in the summer term 2025 will also complete the ECTE).
From September 2025, the Core Content Framework (CCF) will be merged with the Early Career Framework (ECF) to create an all through framework ITTECF. The ITTECF expects to address the problem of content repetition that has been a feature of ECT experience. The main differences will be in content and delivery. For example, the ITTECF will include more on SEND and oracy, and providers will offer more flexibility, meaning that training can be adapted to meet ECTs’ needs. More information on the ECTE can be found here DFE ECTE. The ECTE will not affect the timescale or structure of ECT training.
UCL’s Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP) is similar to the existing UCL programme but ECTs now complete 6 half-term modules in year 1, rather than 5, and 4 modules in year 2.
A welcomed change for schools is the mentor training programme moves from a 2-year programme to a 1-year programme for mentors registered from April 2025. This reduces the training needs for mentors in schools requiring them to attend only two training sessions during the programme rather than six. Once mentors complete their training they can be utilised in school to mentor future ECTs and still access UCL’s learning platform.
Inspire Learning TSH expects the ITTECF to be a successful upgrade of the current training provision, allowing providers and mentors to better tailor support for ECTs. The new focus on ECT entitlement should help ensure that ECTs have their training needs met. The reforms are designed to encourage a career long culture of mentoring and professional development in schools.
The ECTE remains a two year programme for early career teachers supporting them when they start their teaching career. The ECTE is designed to provide ECTs with the knowledge and skills to meet the teaching standards teachers’ standards and develop their professional skills.
Our vision is to help new teachers understand the rich complexity of teaching by combining the research evidence informed content of the ECF, with local knowledge and expertise. If you want to join us on this journey towards a world class education system, please contact us.