The Department for Education has unexpectedly published its new framework for initial teacher training, months earlier than planned.
Last month, DfE policy adviser Rachel Hayward told the National Association of School Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT) annual conference that the ITT framework wouldn’t be published until the spring.
ITT providers said this left them with only a few months to implement changes before its introduction in September.
But with an election looming, the DfE has today published the 49-page document, presumably to ensure it is not delayed by the pre-election period or any issues with forming a government after December 12.
The DfE announced the formation of an advisory group, chaired by Professor Sam Twiselton, to review the core content of ITT in May. The group was tasked with deciding how best to align teacher training with the government’s plans for a new early career framework for teachers.
The early roll out of the early career framework is expected next September as part of Opportunity North East, before the national roll out in September 2021.
Twiselton said: “The highest performing countries around the world share a focus on developing teachers, which is at the heart of what our recommendations are aiming to achieve.
“Bringing initial teacher training and the early career framework into close alignment provides a unique opportunity to ensure all newly qualified teachers have access to a shared understanding of how best to develop in their careers.”
Like the early career framework, the new ITT framework has been designed to support trainee development in five core areas: behaviour management, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and professional behaviours.
The document is presented in eight sections, so it works alongside with the eight teachers’ standards.
It states that “careful consideration” has been given to the needs of trainee teachers “in relation to supporting pupils with special educational needs”.
The framework also places a duty on ITT providers and partner schools to ensure all trainees receive their full entitlement to support.
Emma Hollis, NASBTT’s CEO, said she welcomed the “earlier than expected” publication of the framework.
The early publication will, she said, “give ITT providers and their partnerships time to adjust their programmes to meet the new requirements”.
“The framework is intended to give trainee teachers an entitlement to intellectually robust teacher training that is flexible enough to be adapted to particular contexts, while also allowing a smooth transition into the early career framework.”
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