01 Leadership News

This page is for Senior Leaders within our schools and settings across Halton, Warrington and Wigan.

ECTE – Early Career Teacher Entitlement

On 22nd April 2025, the Department for Education updated their guidance to reflect changes to training and induction for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) starting September 2025.

Summary of the key changes:

From September 2025, all new ECT training programmes should be based on the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) which will replace the Early Career Framework (ECF)
The term early career teacher entitlement (ECTE) replaces ECF-based training and induction.
In response to feedback, there are changes to the DfE funded provider-led training programmes:

Training for new mentors has been reduced from 2 years to 1 year to reduce workload.
Programmes include mentor session materials so mentors can spend their valuable time supporting their ECT, rather than planning and creating resources.
Programmes include diagnostic tools to allow ECTs to focus on areas they most need to develop.
Programmes include more contextualisation to subject and phase with enhanced subject-specific materials and resources. This will include materials and resources to support teaching pupils with SEND.
Programmes are pitched in recognition that most ECTs will begin their training with a greater understanding of the framework from their ITT.

For schools delivering their own training, there are new freely available DfE accredited school-led materials which cover the ITTECF in full which schools can use in full or in part to design and deliver their own training.

We will continue to partner with Teach First, who have developed an updated curriculum in response to ITTECF changes. to deliver the ECTP (Early Career Training Programme). Teach First’s ECF programme was rated as ‘outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted, earlier this year, and is fully funded by the DfE.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the ECTE with our team, then do contact us. You may also find the FAQs useful.

Updated Guidance

Early career teacher entitlement - GOV.UK

Information on the 2-year programme that supports early career teachers (ECTs) when they start their teaching career. This includes the changes to the programme for 2025.

Early career teacher entitlement: roles and responsibilities - GOV.UK

How headteachers, induction tutors and mentors can support ECTs during their ECTE.

Early career teachers: your training and support entitlement - GOV.UK

What ECTs can expect during their ECTE.

Set up and manage the early career teacher entitlement - GOV.UK

What schools need to do to set up and manage training, support, assessment and changing circumstances for the ECTE.

Eligibility and funding for the early career teacher entitlement - GOV.UK

ECTE eligibility criteria and DfE grant funding for schools, ECTs and mentors.

Induction for early career teachers (England) - GOV.UK

Guidance for appropriate bodies, headteachers, school staff and governing bodies.

https://generateteachinghub.org/about/latest-news/join-the-eefs/

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) are looking for passionate educators to join their EEF Exchange

https://generateteachinghub.org/about/latest-news/liverpool-city-region-and-beyond-stronger-practice-early-years-hub-continues-extended-funding/

Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Early Years Hub continues extended funding

https://generateteachinghub.org/about/latest-news/maternity-and-paternity-coaching-and-workshops/

Generate Teaching Commits to Ongoing Support for Parent-Colleagues

Teacher Recruitment & Retention Survey

The latest Teacher Recruitment and Retention Survey 2025 has been published by Teacher Tapp, the Gatsby Foundation and School Dash.

It shares current data and provides broad report that would be of interest to school leaders in all phases and settings.

The authors highlight some key observations:

Secondary teacher recruitment activity is significantly lower than in recent years.
Both supply - and demand - side factors are contributing to the current slowdown in secondary teacher recruitment.
Falling pupil numbers are reducing demand for primary teachers, particularly in certain regions.
Teachers’ long-term commitment to the profession remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels.
Detailed socio-economic context beyond free school meal eligibility can matter.

The report can be downloaded as a PDF here