Early Career Teacher Programme

The Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP) is a highly structured and supportive two-year training programme delivered by Active Teacher Training, in partnership with Ambition Institute. It's designed to equip all new teachers with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed for effective teaching and learning practices and to support a long and rewarding career in teaching.

Overview

Two-year, DfE-funded programme
Support for ECTs, mentors and induction tutors
Local face-to-face training and flexible online learning
Suitable for primary, secondary, special and all-through settings
Delivered in partnership with Ambition Institute

View the ECT Programme Overview

Classroom Shot Low Res

How we support Early Career Teachers

Throughout the two-year programme, ECTs will have protected time to develop their teaching, reflect on their practice and work closely with a trained mentor. This includes a 10% reduction in their teaching timetable during Year 1 and a 5% reduction during Year 2, in addition to the usual planning, preparation and assessment time.

Learning will be broken into small, manageable steps, combining online study with practical coaching and opportunities to learn from other teachers. Mentors will meet with mentees weekly during Year 1 and fortnightly during Year 2, using focused observations, feedback and deliberate practice to help develop specific areas of teaching.

ECTs will also benefit from:

face-to-face conferences and online clinics
opportunities to observe and explore effective classroom practice
regular progress reviews to help stay on track
workload and wellbeing check-ins
support that can be adapted to individual experiences, priorities and school contexts

Together, these elements provide a consistent structure while allowing professional development to respond to the areas in which individueals need the most support.

Support for Mentors

Mentors play an essential part in helping ECTs translate their learning into classroom practice.

Mentor development focuses on instructional coaching and includes guided learning, conferences and online training. Mentors can also access up to three one-to-one sessions with an experienced coach, tailored to an area of professional development they would like to explore.

Mentors who have already completed the training can support another ECT without repeating the full programme, while continuing to complete the regular coaching cycle with their new ECT.

Support for Induction Tutors

Induction tutors oversee the ECTP within their school and help ensure that ECTs and mentors have the time, resources and support they need. We support with:

termly network meetings
guidance on registration and onboarding
engagement and progress information
support with mentor development and programme quality
advice where an ECT requires additional help
guidance around progress reviews and formal assessment

Programme Delivery

The programme combines three main elements. Click on the headers below to find out more about each element or view our FAQs for more information.

ECTs complete manageable online modules through Steplab, usually on a fortnightly basis. Content is broken into small steps and includes examples of effective practice, reflection activities and low-stakes diagnostic questions.

These questions help ECTs and mentors identify strengths, areas for development and suitable priorities for future coaching.

Each ECT works with a trained mentor who provides regular, focused support.

The coaching cycle includes a short lesson observation, constructive feedback, modelling and deliberate practice. ECTs work on a specific, achievable action step before applying it independently in the classroom.

Coaching normally takes place weekly during Year 1 and fortnightly during Year 2.

Face-to-face conferences allow ECTs and mentors to explore important areas of teaching in greater depth, discuss ideas with colleagues and build a local professional network.

Online clinics focus on typical classroom challenges. ECTs analyse different scenarios and consider how their developing knowledge can be applied in practice. Workbooks and preparatory reading are made available through Steplab before each event.

Year 1

Building strong foundations

Fortnightly online learning
Weekly mentoring and coaching
10% protected timetable reduction
Conferences and clinics

Year 2

Growing independence

Continued online learning
Fortnightly mentoring and coaching
5% protected timetable reduction
Greater ownership of professional development

Why choose Active Teacher Training?

Friendly, local support
We provide established teacher development across East Anglia and work with schools in a wide variety of contexts, from small rural primaries to large secondary, special and all-through schools. Training is delivered locally wherever possible, helping ECTs and mentors build useful professional relationships with colleagues in their area.
Expert facilitators
Our programme is led by experienced teachers and school leaders with expertise in teaching, mentoring, coaching and professional development. They understand the realities of working in schools and focus on helping participants apply their learning in practice.
A dedicated point of contact
Each local hub is supported by a Hub Lead, providing schools with a consistent point of contact for advice, training and support. Hub Leads also visit schools to review how the programme is working, identify individual or organisational needs and help ECTs get back on track where additional support is required.
Flexible, manageable learning
The programme combines local face-to-face events with online clinics and self-directed learning. Content is delivered in small, achievable stages so that professional development can become part of a sustainable working routine.
Support for the whole school
We work closely with ECTs, mentors and induction tutors throughout registration, onboarding, training and assessment. This whole-school approach helps everyone understand their role and ensures ECTs receive consistent, high-quality support.

Ready to get started?

Choose Active Teacher Training as your Early Career Teacher Programme delivery partner and give new teachers the practical, personal support they need to thrive.

Register your interest by contacting: kelly.murphy@activelearningtrust.org