West Sussex Teaching School Hub

GLF Schools

GLF Schools was founded in 2012 in order to enable the federation of Glyn School (an academy in 2011) and Danetree Junior School. Together, we began our journey to become a MAT of more than 1000 talented staff working with over 10,000 children in 40 schools across 5 regions in southern England.

Our Schools

GLF Schools

West Sussex Schools

September 2025 - DfE changes to ECT training and induction

On 22 April 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) updated their guidance to reflect changes to training and induction for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) starting September 2025.

 

Summary of the key changes:

  • From September 2025, all new ECT training programmes should be based on the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) which will replace the Early Career Framework (ECF)
  • The term early career teacher entitlement (ECTE) replaces ECF-based training and induction.
  • In response to feedback, there are changes to the DfE funded provider-led training programmes:
    • Training for new mentors has been reduced from 2 years to 1 year to reduce workload.
    • Programmes include mentor session materials so mentors can spend their valuable time supporting their ECT, rather than planning and creating resources.
    • Programmes include diagnostic tools to allow ECTs to focus on areas they most need to develop.
    • Programmes include more contextualisation to subject and phase with enhanced subject-specific materials and resources. This will include materials and resources to support teaching pupils with SEND.
    • Programmes are pitched in recognition that most ECTs will begin their training with a greater understanding of the framework from their ITT
  • For schools delivering their own training, there are new freely available DfE accredited school-led materials which cover the ITTECF in full which schools can use in full or in part to design and deliver their own training

 

Frequently asked questions:

 

What about ECTs currently completing an ECF-based programme?

These changes won’t impact the majority of ECTs who are currently completing an ECF-based training programme. ECTs or mentors who start training before 1 September 2025 should:

• continue to use the same course and materials until August 2027

• move to training based on the ITTECF from September 2027 if they’ve not completed by August 2027

 

What support is available to previously trained mentors from September 2025?

Mentors who completed a mentor training programme prior to September 2025 as part of a provider-led ECF-based programme will not be eligible for the new mentor training programmes from September 2025. However, all mentors, including those previously trained as part of an ECF-based programme, will as a minimum have access to the mentor training materials which are included as part of the provider-led programmes, which they can use to refresh themselves as needed. All mentors also have access to the mentor session materials as part of the provider-led programmes based on the ITTECF. Mentor session materials will support the regular mentoring sessions and engagement between the ECT and their mentor on the content of the ITTECF. Some providers may provide additional support for previously trained mentors such as mentor support clinics or drop-in sessions. To find out what ongoing support is available for trained mentors as part of the provider-led programmes, please enquire with individual Lead Providers.

 

Does this affect any funding my setting receives?

There are no planned changes to the current funding arrangements, except in relation to the streamlining of mentor training; as the mentor training for new mentors is being shortened from two years to one year, the amount of funding eligible schools receive to backfill their mentors time will be reduced to reflect that. However, the required time for training will continue to be covered in full.

 

Which providers are offering the DfE-funded training programmes?

The following lead providers offer funded provider-led training for ECTs from September 2025:

• Ambition Institute

• Education Development Trust

• National Institute of Teaching, founded by the School-Led Development Trust

• Teach First

• UCL Institute of Education

 

Which providers are offering the freely available school-led materials?

For delivery from September 2025, school-led materials based on the ITTECF will be provided by National Institute of Teaching and UCL Institute of Education via their own platforms:

• National Institute of Teaching: Materials for school-led ECT Programme 2025/26 – The National Institute of Teaching

• UCL Institute of Education: CEL - The Source - Home

 

For further information, please see the updated guidance published by DfE:  Early career teacher entitlement (ECTE) support - GOV.UK