Dixons ECT Programme

All Early Teachers are entitled to a two-year induction period as part of the Initial Teacher Training Early Career Framework (ITTECF). The first year is known as the ECT1 year and the second year is known as the ECT2 year and these develop mastery based on the foundations developed in the ITT year.

The Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) is in two broad strands:

• statutory induction, where assessment takes place by the school’s Induction Tutor against the Teacher Standards, managed by an Appropriate Body
• access to the Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP), a high-quality programme of professional development based on the ITTECF, which we deliver in conjunction with our lead partner Ambition Institute and partners in the Bradford Consortium (BDAT and Beckfoot). The ECTP involves regular cycles of self study, instructional coaching and taught content in the form of Conferences and Clinics. All of our partners have serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds at the centre of their organisation
• ECTs are entitled to a dedicated mentor and induction tutor through the induction period. The mentor will develop expertise through instructional coaching as well as provide wellbeing support. The induction tutor will oversee the induction process in school, as well as academy-based training and being a second wave of support. They will also assess the ECTs against the Teacher Standards

As part of the taught curriculum of the ITTECF, Dixons ECTs attend Conferences and Clinics with other Dixons ECTs – these provide an excellent opportunity to network and reflect on aspects of the ITTECF which are broader than an individual coaching cycle.

Additional support is provided by colleagues from Dixons Centre for Growth, Dixons’ employee assistance programme Health Assured and, where trainees are not on track, from the Appropriate Body.

Protected time for professional development is provided via a 10% timetable reduction in Year 1 and 5% in Year 2.

Our mentors and induction tutors also receive bespoke training and support to help them carry our their roles to a high standard.