What is the Early Career Framework? 

The Early Career Framework was implemented nationally in September 2021 to provide high-quality training and mentoring for newly qualified teachers.

You may be asking, what is the early career framework, and why do I have to complete it? In this guide, we’ll break down the full ins and outs of the course, including what you’re entitled to as an early career teacher.

What is an Early Career Teacher?

An Early Career Teacher (ECT), previously known as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT), is a newly qualified teacher who is in their first 2 years of their teaching career.

As an ECT, you will be enrolled on the Early Career Framework (ECF), which is a type of teacher training course designed to develop strong classroom practice, build effective habits and deepen pedagogical knowledge.

The ECF is part of the government's strategy to:

Improve teacher retention
Support early teacher development
Ensure consistent teaching standards across the country

Is the Early Career Framework the same as Initial Teacher Training?

No, the ECF is not the same as Initial Teacher Training (ITT). Although they are both ‘teacher training’ courses, they are designed for two different stages of becoming a teacher.

ITT is the training course you will complete to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is a must for many permanent teaching roles across the UK. During this time, you are considered a trainee teacher.

ECF is the next step after you complete an ITT course or something similar. These are your first two years of teaching after becoming a qualified teacher. The ECF builds upon the knowledge you will gain from ITT, but it is not the same thing.

Is the ECF mandatory?

Yes, the ECF pathway is mandatory for all newly qualified teachers in England. Since 2021, every school must deliver a two-year-long ECF induction for all ECT teachers.

Schools must follow this and will find an Appropriate Body for you to complete your ECF course with. At Learn with FA1, we are a proud delivery partner for Ambition Institute , a national education charity that offers practical, evidence-based professional development.

How long is the ECF?

The ECF last a total of two academic years, which has become the standard induction length in England.

The two-year period gives newly qualified teachers an extended time to develop strong classroom habits, consistent mentoring and a smooth transition from being a trainee to having full classroom responsibility.

If you have significant teaching experience, you may be able to reduce the length of your ECT course. However, you will need to discuss this with your headteacher and induction tutor.

Do I get paid whilst completing the ECF?

Yes, unlike on an ITT course, you will get paid whilst completing the ECF as you will be employed by a school as a qualified teacher.

You will be paid according to the Main Pay Range for England, but your exact starting point will depend on:

Your school’s policy
Any prior experience you have
Negotiation at appointment

Does the ECF cost to do?

No, the ECF does not cost any money to complete.

Since it is a statutory requirement, it is fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE), and schools cannot charge ECTs for any part of it.

What support will I receive as an Early Career Teacher?

As a newly qualified teacher, you are entitled to training and support that provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to meet teachers’ standards. This is known as early career entitlement (ECTE).

Your ECTE includes:

A training programme provided by Ambition Institute
Support from an in-school mentor
Time off your timetable
Regular progress reviews
Formal assessments against teachers’ standards
What does the ECF training programme look like?

What does the ECF training programme look like?

The ECF training programme is designed to support you in your first few years of teaching, enabling you to meet the teachers’ standards.

Your training programmes will be based on the content from the initial teacher training and early career framework (IITECF), which is designed to build upon the knowledge you will have gained as a trainee teacher.

The training is designed to help you:

Set high expectations
Showcase good knowledge of the national curriculum
Plan and teach well-structured lessons
Adapt lessons to support the needs of all pupils
Manage behaviours
Fulfil wider professional responsibilities

How will my mentor support me?

You will be assigned a mentor when you start the ECF course.

Your mentor will:

Provide regular support and feedback
Help you to relate your training to specific aspects of teaching
Arrange informal classroom drop-in sessions and provide feedback
Be an immediate point of contact if you have any problems with your training

Your mentor will not assess you. Instead, their focus is to support you with your professional development.

How do I register for an ECT programme?

Your school will register you on your behalf. This is usually completed by a member of staff who is responsible for the ECTE in your school, such as your induction tutor or ECT lead.

You will be registered with the DfE, the training provider and your school’s appropriate body. Once complete, you will receive an email from the DfE confirming your registration and outline what the next steps are.