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Becoming an Early Career Teachers at Waterton

All our ECTs work together in a Waterton cohort for the Early Career Framework Professional Development Programme. The legally required assessment process is delivered via the Exchange Teaching Hub and their Appropriate Body (AB) Services. This is a two-year programme of study. The Exchange Teaching Hub who work in partnership with UCL, a DfE-accredited Lead Provider to deliver the ECF reforms. 

Curriculum

The UCL programme components draw on multiple pedagogies of teacher education to effectively develop teachers as skilled professionals. Learning activities are targeted to the developmental needs of the early career teachers and the nature of content in each module. The programme is delivered through a blended learning approach to create flexible and social learning environments that support early career teachers’ development. Mentors are fully prepared for their role in the programme through targeted training which addresses both the content of the Early Career Framework and the highly skilled practice of mentoring.

The Programme

Early career teacher self-study sessions are completed weekly in the first year and fortnightly during the second. Modules within the programme are presented in a suggested sequence, which can be adapted to suit local needs, where appropriate.  Module summary guides provide a clear overview of sessions in each module, including preparation required and key learning activities. Mentors and early career teachers can use this to target session selection and sequencing to early career teachers learning needs, their school calendar and other commitments with which the programme must dovetail.

Mentors and early career teacher complete module content audits at the start of each module, which clearly indicate where to target and personalise activity within and across sessions so that it best addresses each early career teacher learning needs.

Assessment

The Exchange Teaching Hub is the registered Appropriate Body provider for Waterton. The in-school induction tutor or lead is responsible for the ECT assessment in conjunction with your chosen appropriate body service. They will assess the ECT against the teacher standards. This will involve completing observations, progress reviews and formal reports. Support for all ECTs within school and monitor engagement of mentors and ECTs with the ECF programme. 

Key assessment points: Progress reviews at the end of term 1, term 2, term 4 and term 5. Formal assessments at the end of term 3 and term 6

For more information about the Early Career Professional Development Programme please visit the Exchange website.