Early Career Training Programme

High-quality, fully funded induction

Our two-year Early Career Training Programme is aligned with the Early Career Teacher Entitlement and fully funded by the Department for Education. It provides structured, research-informed support to help early career teachers build strong foundations and develop confidence in the classroom from the very start.

You will benefit from protected time for training, reduced timetables in both years, and a programme that recognises the demands of being new to teaching.

Personalised, evidence-informed development

Your development is shaped around you. A diagnostic tool identifies your prior experience and development needs, guiding you through tailored learning pathways rather than a one-size-fits-all programme.

Your learning includes:

• Self-directed online study in manageable weekly chunks

• Expert-led seminars (online or in person)

• Real classroom footage and practical examples across different phases and settings

• Instructional coaching that helps you apply theory directly to your classroom practice

Everything is designed to be relevant, practical and closely connected to your day-to-day teaching.

Expert mentoring and future-focused growth

You will be supported by a trained mentor throughout the programme, with regular instructional coaching focused on improving classroom practice and supporting your workload and wellbeing.

In your second year, you will deepen your subject or phase expertise and can access optional leadership development modules. These support long-term growth and help you begin to think confidently about your next steps within the profession.

Building strong foundations

In your first year, the programme focuses on developing core classroom practice. You’ll complete six modules, one per term, covering:

• Creating an effective learning environment

• How pupils learn

• Effective classroom practice

• Assessment and feedback

• Supporting all pupils to succeed

• Designing a coherent curriculum

Each module includes self-directed study, classroom exemplification, small-group seminars and weekly mentoring conversations. You will have regular opportunities to reflect, practise and receive feedback in a supportive environment.

Deepening practice and developing confidence

In your second year, the programme becomes more subject- or phase-specific. You will:

• Develop deeper subject or phase expertise

• Revisit and embed key concepts from year one

• Attend specialist seminars led by subject or phase experts

• Continue instructional coaching with your mentor

• Choose from optional leadership development modules

This year is designed to support autonomy, confidence and sustained improvement in your practice.

• Fully funded by the Department for Education

• Designed by expert teacher educators and rated Outstanding by Ofsted

• Grounded in research and real classroom practice

• Flexible enough to fit around the realities of school life

• Focused on helping you improve, feel supported and stay in the profession

Support throughout your journey

Mentoring that makes a difference

Your mentor plays a central role in your development. Mentors receive specialist training in instructional coaching, feedback and deliberate practice, ensuring the support you receive is focused, consistent and meaningful.

You will meet regularly with your mentor to:

• Reflect on your teaching

• Identify development priorities

• Practise and refine strategies

• Receive feedback in a supportive, professional relationship