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Early Career Training Programme - Summer Term update

This term has seen another highly successful series of Early Career Training Programme events across the region, bringing together ECTs and mentors for high-quality professional development that continues to make a real difference in classrooms. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of participants rating sessions as well organised, relevant, and impactful.

Supporting teachers to grow in confidence

ECTs and mentors particularly valued the strong links between theory and practice, alongside engaging facilitation and practical strategies that could be implemented immediately. The programme is supporting teachers to grow in confidence, refine their practice, and strengthen outcomes for pupils.

“I have enjoyed the training and find it extremely valuable. I love to hear other teachers' examples and experiences.”

“Both facilitators were excellent – the best session so far.”

“Very engaging and personable presenters. Best session so far due to the range of activities and interactions.”

Through the ITTECF (Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework), the programme progressively deepens participant knowledge, so that by the end of Year 2 of induction, teachers are operating with strength and automaticity in the classroom.

The specific focus of the summer term for each cohort is correlated, with the mentor programme designed to support effective coaching of new teachers.

ECT Year 1: Embedding the Fundamentals

Year 1 ECTs have continued to build strong foundations in their teaching practice this term.

Key learning highlights:

  • A strong focus on curriculum design, with many ECTs emphasising the importance of planning backwards from the intended outcome
  • Developing confidence in adaptive teaching, particularly through the graduated approach and inclusive strategies
  • Increased use of modelling and ‘think aloud’ techniques to support pupil understanding
  • Practical approaches to active reading, writing, and literacy development
  • Greater awareness of how to assess prior knowledge and structure learning effectively

What ECTs said:

Our Year 1 ECTs praised the sessions for being engaging and useful, with many highlighting the value of:

  • Clear, practical strategies they could take straight into the classroom
  • Expert facilitation, with sessions described as “engaging” and “extremely valuable”
  • Opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and share experiences

ECT Year 2: Refining Practice and Deepening Thinking

For Year 2 ECTs, the focus has been on developing more nuanced and sophisticated classroom approaches, as they become more automatic in their practice.

Key learning highlights:

  • A strong emphasis on oracy and structured talk, including dialogic questioning and partner discussion strategies
  • Use of scaffolds such as sentence stems and speaking frames to support pupil language
  • Making meaningful connections across the curriculum
  • Enhancing active listening and pupil engagement through practical classroom strategies

What ECTs said:

Year 2 feedback highlighted:

  • Appreciation for real classroom examples and modelling
  • The usefulness of strategies to improve pupil talk and participation
  • Continued recognition that sessions are relevant and applicable to everyday teaching

Mentors: Strengthening Coaching and Support

Mentor sessions this term have focused on strengthening the quality of instructional coaching and support for ECTs.

Key learning highlights:

  • Supporting ECTs to develop resilience and confidence
  • Using research-informed approaches to guide mentoring conversations
  • Applying deliberate practice to help ECTs move from novice towards expertise
  • Developing targeted feedback strategies and effective mentoring structures
  • Using practical tools such as deliberate practice and structured discussion

What mentors said:

Mentors were highly positive about their experience, describing sessions as:

  • “Excellent” and “engaging”
  • Led by passionate and knowledgeable facilitators
  • Highly relevant, with clear impact on their mentoring practice

Many also valued the opportunity to reflect alongside colleagues and refine their own approach to supporting ECTs.

Looking Ahead

The summer term programme has demonstrated the continued strength of our offer for ECTs and mentors, with a clear impact across all participants. The consistent focus on practical application, expert facilitation, and collaboration ensures that learning doesn’t stop in the training room — it is carried directly into classrooms.

We look forward to building on this success next academic year with our new cohort of ECTs and mentors, continuing to support new teachers in delivering excellent teaching for every pupil.

If you have ECTs joining your school in September 2026, and you would like to register them for the Early Career Training Programme with Saffron Teaching School Hub, visit our Early Career Training Programme page for details.

 

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