Stepping Up: Supporting the Journey from ITT into ECT
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Saffron Teaching School Hub was proud to be part of this year’s Stepping Up: ITT into ECT annual conference in May, delivered as part of the Eastern Region Teaching School Hubs' programme for Initial Teacher Training.
Bringing together over 100 participants from across the region – including Initial Teacher Trainees, Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and colleagues from our Teaching School Hubs – the event reflected the collective commitment to supporting teachers at this critical point in their career journey.
Building confidence and strengthening networks
At its heart, this conference was about more than information sharing. It was about building confidence, strengthening networks, and ensuring that those entering the profession feel supported to stay and thrive.
The programme explored key elements of the transition into the Early Career Framework, including how Teaching School Hubs work collaboratively to deliver high-quality training, support the ECT entitlement, and provide a coherent pathway from ITT into sustained professional development.
A real highlight was the series of breakout sessions led by current Early Career Teachers. These sessions offered honest, practical insight into the first years of teaching, from establishing routines and behaviour systems to managing workload and embedding inclusive practice. Participants valued the authenticity of these conversations, hearing directly from peers who had recently navigated the same transition.
Wellbeing was also a central theme. Michelle Auton, author of What Happy Teachers Do, led a powerful session introducing simple meditation and mindfulness techniques, reinforcing the importance of sustainable working practices and personal wellbeing as teachers move into the demands of their early career.
A shared regional commitment
Events like this exemplify the strategic role of Teaching School Hubs across the Eastern region. By working together to deliver a connected ITT and Early Career offer, we are strengthening both recruitment into teaching and long-term retention.
Ensuring that trainees experience a coherent, supportive transition into their first teaching roles is critical—not only for individual success, but for the stability and quality of the workforce across our schools.
“There is something incredibly powerful about bringing people together at this early stage of their career. Teaching can feel overwhelming at times, particularly as you move from training into your first classroom, but events like this remind us that you are not doing this alone.
What stood out most for me was the generosity of our Early Career Teachers – sharing their experiences so openly, offering reassurance, and helping others feel that what they are experiencing is normal. That sense of professional community is what will sustain people in this profession.
As a region, we have a responsibility not just to recruit great teachers, but to support them to stay, grow and thrive. This conference is one small but important part of that commitment.”
Kerrie McGivern
Deputy Director, Saffron Teaching School Hub
Conference resources
Slides from the conference can be downloaded here: ITT into ECT Conference 2026
We are grateful to all colleagues across the Eastern region who contributed to the event and to everyone who attended the conference. Together, we continue to build a strong, supportive and connected system that ensures every teacher – and every pupil – can flourish.