When an ECT leaves a post after completing one term or more in an institution but before the next formal assessment would take place, the induction tutor or headteacher is expected to complete an interim assessment. This is expected to take place before the ECT leaves their post in order to ensure that the ECT's progress and performance since the last assessment are captured. This is especially important where concerns about progress may have arisen. The information recorded on the interim assessment form will help to ensure that induction can be continued effectively in any subsequent post. This is also required if the ECT leaves during their final term of induction.

If an ECT leaves a post having completed less than one term (65 days) in an institution this time does not count towards induction, however, sometimes it is still necessary to complete an interim assessment.

Please contact us in advance to ensure that an interim assessment form, if required, is completed and submitted before the ECT leaves.

ect@otsa.org.uk

Determining the length of the induction period

The length of the induction period an ECT is required to serve, whether the teaching post in which they are doing so is part-time or full-time, is the full-time equivalent of two school years.  This usually consists of six school terms, divided into periods each consisting of three school terms. The appropriate body makes the final decision about the equivalence to two school years in cases where the ECT serves induction in more than one setting or in non­-standard settings such as those in the FE sector.

In some exceptional circumstances the length of an induction period may be reduced.

Reducing the induction period

Even though some teachers already have significant teaching experience when they enter the maintained sector for the first time, they are still required to serve statutory induction. In such cases, appropriate bodies have discretion to reduce the length of the induction period to a minimum of one term (based on a school year of three terms) to recognise this experience.

In making such a decision they must take account of advice from the headteacher and must gain the agreement of the teacher concerned. If a teacher wishes to serve the full induction period they must be permitted to do so.

The appropriate body must consider and will want. to see evidence of previous experience and performance in order to reach their decision including performance management or appraisal documentation from previous teaching employment. In all cases, the school will be required to submit the ECT's Teachers' Standards Evidence Form.

Reductions should only be considered where an ECT was previously employed on a teacher's contract and has extensive prior experience of teaching whole-classes to the Teachers’ Standards. Any time spent undertaking Initial Teacher Training or employment as a Teaching Assistant will not count. 

Examples of when this discretion might be considered appropriate include a teacher who has taught in the independent sector or who has gained QTS via the assessment-only route. In such cases, only the final assessment meeting and report will be required with the headteacher’s recommendation on whether the teacher’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards is satisfactory or not. The appropriate body will then consider the request.  If the school recommends that the ECT has not met the Teachers' Standards, the reduced induction request will not be granted.

Separately, ECTs serving induction on a part-time basis may, on completion of a period covering but not equivalent to two full years, be able to have their induction period reduced. It is for the appropriate body to consider whether to grant a reduction and bring forward the final assessment point. When considering whether to reduce a part-time ECT’s induction, the appropriate body is expected to consult the headteacher/principal and must gain the agreement of the teacher concerned. A reduction should only be made on the basis that the ECT has met the Teachers’ Standards. 

Examples of where OTSA will consider reducing the induction period:

Significant teaching experience as a teacher in:

• An independent school
• An Academy or Free School
• An FE institution
• A British School overseas
• Any other institution where induction may be served

and/or

Significant teaching experience as:

• An unqualified teacher
• A teacher in a school where induction cannot normally be served
• A teacher in a school that did not register them for induction
• A teacher in an overseas school
• A part-time teacher who has completed a period covering but not equivalent to two full years

Requesting a reduced induction period

To request a reduced induction period please complete the form below and send it (with a copy of the ECT's Teachers' Standards Evidence Form) to the ECT Induction Administrator a minimum of 10 working days prior to the due date of the assessment (proposed end date of induction period).

ect@otsa.org.uk

OTSA Request for Reduced ECT Induction

Qualified overseas trained teachers from some countries are exempt from ECT Induction in England. However they are required to hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach in maintained schools. Teachers who are employed to teach without QTS are technically 'Unqualified Teachers'.

Teachers trained or recognised in Scotland or Northern Ireland

Teachers who trained in either Scotland or Northern Ireland must obtain QTS to take up a teaching post in a maintained school or non-maintained special school in England. They must complete a period of ECT Induction.

To submit your application use the online application form.

Recognition of overseas teaching qualifications from 1 February 2023

Under the new system, teachers will apply through a new digital service to demonstrate they meet upfront key criteria.  They will then be awarded QTS. Any overseas teacher with under two years experience will be eligible for statutory induction. Teachers with more than two years experience will remain exempt.

Teachers will be made exempt or non-exempt by the TRA when QTS is awarded, will be told this, and will flow through the CPD service.

The support of a mentor, induction tutor and reduced timetable will help overseas teachers to adapt to teaching in England and settle into a new education system during their early career here, as well as benefiting from the content of the ECF.

Teachers from Ireland who have full registration as they have completed induction with the Teaching Council in Ireland (TCI) and who wish to apply to work in England can apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). They are exempt from completing an induction period.

Teachers from Ireland who only have conditional registration with the TCI as they have not completed induction are not eligible for QTS. As they do not have QTS they are not eligible for statutory induction and therefore not eligible for the associated funding.  This has always been the case, and ‘shadow’ inductions in the past have not been organised with the involvement of the Department for Education in England. With the introduction of the ECF the TCI has updated its procedures and going forward will only recognise induction processes that are formally recognised by relevant competent authorities.

In April 2021, the TCI advised all final year student teachers to seek specific advice if they intended to work overseas with a view to completing an recognised induction process.

For the avoidance of doubt, however, teachers from Ireland with conditional registration status can work as a teacher in England without QTS. They can teach without QTS for up to four years in a maintained school, and for an unlimited period in an academy, free school, or private school, although without QTS they will not be eligible for induction.

If they do wish to gain QTS in the future, their main options would be to:

• Once they have two years of experience, they can apply for QTS via the Assessment Only route.
• Or, they can gain their full registration in Ireland and then apply for QTS.

To gain their full registration in Ireland, a teacher with conditional registration status can complete Droichead, the formal induction process in Ireland. 

The TCI will also recognise formal induction processes completed in other countries where they are recognised by the competent authority.

Further guidance on the routes to QTS for non-UK teachers is available on GOV.UK.

Post 16 qualified teachers may be eligible to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills Status (QTLS). Teachers applying for QTLS must hold a level 5 initial teacher training qualification.

Since April 2012, FE trained teachers with QTLS have been recognised in legislation as equivalent in status to teachers with QTS in schools.  They are able to teach across all subjects and all ages on equal pay and conditions.

Teachers with QTLS are exempt from ECT Induction.

Teachers with post-16 qualifications who do not hold QTLS are technically 'unqualified teachers'.

To find out more about QTLS visit the Society for Education and Training website.