Early Career Training Programme
The Early Career Training Programme is a two-year ITTECF-based training programme structured to develop ECTs' professional practice through online learning, virtual and face-to-face training sessions and the support of a fully trained mentor throughout their first two years of teaching.
Mentors also have a one-year programme to develop their practice.
Saffron Teaching School Hub works in partnership with Teach First to deliver the Early Career Programme. Details of our Early Career Training Programme from September 2026 can be found here.
Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE)
The Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE), introduced in September 2025, is a 2-year programme that supports Early Career Teachers when they start their teaching career.
The ECTE underpins ECTs' statutory entitlement to receive two years of high-quality training and in-school mentor support.
Further information about statutory induction can be found here.
Guidance for schools on setting up and managing the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE)
Early Career Training Programme funding
The Saffron Early Career Training Programme is funded by the DfE for state-funded schools.
Schools will be funded for:
- Time off-timetable for ECTs and mentors in their second year
- Training delivered directly to ECTs and mentors
- Additional funding to backfill mentor time (up to 36 hours)
For full details of Early Career Programme funding, see the DfE links below:
Registering ECTs and Mentors
To register ECTs and Mentors for training as part of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE), schools will need to use the Department for Education's Register Early Career Teachers (RECT) service.
Please note:
- The RECT service replaced the 'Manage Training for Early Career Teachers' service in April 2026. The DfE will contact all schools directly about the new service and all users will need a DfE Sign-in account to access it. All new ECTs will be registered using the new RECT system going forwards.
- The DfE expects to open ECT/Mentor registration for September 2026 starters from 15 June. This is likely to be a staggered roll-out and schools will receive an email from the DfE inviting them to register new participants. Schools should not register September 2026 starters before this date.
As well as registering ECTs on the DfE RECT service, schools must also register their ECTs with an Appropriate Body and for an Early Career Training Programme.
Registration steps
Follow the steps in the table below, or view/download our one-page guide to registering ECTs here: ECT Registration 2026
Step 1: Register ECTs and Mentors on the DfE 'Register Early Career Teachers' serviceThe first step in registering for the Saffron Early Career Training Programme is done via the DfE Register Early Career Teachers (RECT) service. If schools have previously had ECTs, the nominated Induction Tutor will have an existing link to the DfE portal. All emails from the DfE about this portal go to the school's nominated Induction Tutor. Please check that your nominated Induction Tutor is always up-to-date on the DfE portal. As part of the DfE portal registration process, you will be asked to choose a Lead Provider and a Delivery Partner for your Early Career Programme. To register for the Saffron Early Career Programme:
You must also complete the Saffron Early Career Programme registration form – see Step 2. |
Step 2: Register your ECTs with an Appropriate BodyAll ECTs must be registered with an Appropriate Body before they can start induction. As part of the registration process on the DfE Register Early Career Teachers (RECT) service, you will be asked to say which Appropriate Body you are using for statutory induction. Please note: indicating which Appropriate Body you are using on the DfE RECT service does not constitute registration with an Appropriate Body. You need to register with an Appropriate Body separately. To register your ECTs with Saffron Appropriate Body, click here. |
Step 3: Complete the Saffron Early Career Training Programme registration formTo register for the Saffron Early Career Training Programme with Teach First, please complete the form below: You do not need to register with Teach First Directly. |
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Saffron Early Career Programme, contact our EC Programme Lead Paula Downes at pauladownes@saffron.academy or 01799 513030 ext. 1248.
Early Career Programme news
Early Career Training Programme - Spring Term update
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This term, our Early Career Training Programme brought together ECTs and mentors from across the region. Through a rich combination of in-person and online sessions, participants engaged with evidence-informed strategies designed to strengthen classroom practice, build professional confidence, and deepen mentoring expertise…
Early Career Training Programme - Autumn Term update
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As the new academic year gets underway, our Early Career Teacher and Mentor training sessions have set a positive and purposeful tone across the region. With a blend of in-person and online events, participants have praised the sessions for being well-organised, relevant, and inspiring.
Welcome Back - Early Career Training Programme
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This September, Early Career Teachers and their mentors across Essex are embarking on an inspiring journey as they begin our new Early Career Training Programme.
In the last fortnight, we are also delighted to have welcomed our Year 2 ECTs and mentors back to their training, as they continue their programme of development. D…
ECT Induction and the Early Career Teacher Entitlement
ECT Induction is a statutory two-year support and training programme for newly qualified teachers in England. It ensures early career teachers (ECTs) receive structured development, mentoring, and assessment during their first two years in the profession.
From September 2025, the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE)…