Facilitators are the backbone to the ECTE (Early Career Teacher Entitlement) programme and play a critical role in delivering high-quality online and in-person sessions that equip early careers teachers (ECTs) with the skills and confidence to provide all children and young people with the very best education.
Without facilitators’ expertise, guidance and professional insight, the ECF (Early Careers Framework) would not be the success it is today. They contextualise learning, ensure consistency and quality, and build professional communities where ECTs feel safe to collaborate and lean on one another for support.
At Inspire Learning Teaching School Hub (TSH), we are incredibly lucky to work with 48 facilitators across Liverpool and Wirral who bring to life the ‘outstanding’ ECT programme prepared by our partners, University College London (UCL).
One of these facilitators is Ben Jose, a former senior leader and teacher of music with over 10 years teaching experience who now works solely as a trainer and coach to support individuals through the early stages of their teaching careers. Ben began working with us as a facilitator in 2022 following a relocation to the North West and has been an incredible support to our ECTs over the years…
What does your role as a facilitator involve on a day-to-day basis?
Ultimately, my role is to ensure that ECTs get the most out of the ECF. This doesn’t just mean when they’re sat down in front of me during an in-person session or have joined an online session, it’s all the preparation before and after too. From sending emails to remind ECTs about an upcoming session so they can get their cover booked, to checking in after sessions if they haven’t attended, I try to make sure they are able to access as much as possible and have whatever they need in order to be successful.
This has also seen me, at times, work 1-2-1 with ECTs when they’ve approached me following a session looking for further support. Recently, I had a year one ECT who was struggling with planning and workload, so I supported them outside of the planned sessions to develop strategies that worked for them.
How do you prepare for facilitating a session?
It’s great facilitating at Inspire Learning TSH because for each cluster group we deliver content to, we work with a co-facilitator. This means we’re able to closely consider our specialisms and delegate session preparation based on our strengths. For example, one of the co-facilitators I work with has specific qualifications in delivering online learning, so they lead these sessions and I lead the face-to-face sessions for our cluster group.
When it comes to the preparation itself, I will always gather information from ECTs after every session and ensure the next session is tailored to the feedback we’ve received. Having been a facilitator for three years, I have taught specific topics multiple times now, but I always strive to make it relevant and in context for the group of ECTs in front of me. It’s important to me that what I’m delivering will resonate with ECTs as this will ultimately strengthen the impact they will have on the children they teach and, in turn, will support the enhancement of the curriculum.
What do you enjoy most about facilitating Inspire Learning TSH programmes?
One of Inspire Learning TSH’s biggest strengths is the amount of collaboration that takes place when you are a facilitator. Their amazing team will link all facilitators together and we’re always completing training with others, as well as co-facilitating as previously mentioned.
Since working with Inspire Learning TSH, I’ve continued to learn so much and have built a real network with the other facilitators. Despite not working with Inspire full-time, I feel really part of their organisation and a member of the team.
How has being a facilitator supported your own professional growth?
There really is no short answer as the role stretches you positively in so many ways. As someone who is no longer in school full-time, being a facilitator makes me accountable to stay up to date with the latest research. This is made all the more helpful by being able to access the best curriculum information from UCL through its partnership with Inspire Learning TSH.
Would you recommend being a facilitator to others?
Yes. Honestly, it’s an amazing role and I feel really lucky to do it, especially for Inspire Learning TSH.
If you’ve been inspired by Ben’s journey and would like to find out more about a facilitator role with us, click here. Facilitator recruitment for 2026/27 opens on 23 March 2026 and closes on 8 May 2026.