The government will extend the initial roll-out of its early career framework to another 3,000 new teachers.
Early rollout of the new scheme will be launched as planned this autumn for schools in the north east, Bradford, Doncaster and Greater Manchester.
Up to 2,000 new teachers in these areas will get extra training and one-to-one mentor sessions in their first two years after qualifying, with their schools paid £2,200 to cover the time out of the classroom in the second year.
But because of disruption to teacher training courses during the coronavirus pandemic this year, the government will also expand the support to up to another 3,000 new teachers. Those working in disadvantaged schools outside of the early rollout areas will be eligible.
That means the ECF will cover roughly a fifth of the newly-qualified teacher cohort (based on entry figures in the 2018 school workforce). Funding for the original rollout, £4.4 million, will be increased by £6.6 million to a total of £11 million.
When asked where the money was coming from, the department would only say it will be a mixture of new cash from the Treasury and funds from elsewhere in its budget. It would not provide further details on the latter.
Schools minister Nick Gibb said the early career framework is “at the heart of this Government’s drive to raise school standards, which is why we are making a commitment to continue with our reforms to teacher training this autumn”
He added: “All those entering the classroom for the first time this September can be reassured they will receive high-quality training based on the best available evidence and research, helping to increase retention and ensure newly qualified teachers are better prepared for the challenges and rewards of teaching.”
Leadership unions have also welcomed the government’s commitment to “press ahead” with the roll-out, despite other schemes being halted because of the coronavirus.
The government said the move follows a 12 per cent rise in teacher training applications compared to last year.
Under the ECF, all new teachers get two-years of professional development at the start of their career. The government will provide funding to cover the five per cent of their time spent away from the classroom – but for the second year only. The support also includes a dedicated mentor.
Only schools in the eligible areas can opt-in to the early roll-out, and further details of which areas are involved can be accessed here.
The four providers chosen to deliver the support package are the Ambition Institute, Education Development Trust, Teach First and the UCL Early Career Teacher Consortium.
New training materials, developed for the ECF, will also be made available for free from September.
The scheme is part of the government’s teacher recruitment and retention strategy. It will be rolled out for all trainees across the country in September 2021.
Under the early roll out, schools will get paid £2,200 for each second year early career teacher via a single payment in the summer 2022 term.
Mentors will also receive 36 hours of funding over the two-year induction period. Their time away from the classroom will be covered by the £2,200 payment.
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