COVID-19 Induction, assessment, initial teacher training, overseas trained teachers and teacher's standards

Government guidance

Early Career Teachers (ECT)

Absences related to coronavirus

We recognise the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak may have an impact on the number of absences ECTs take in the coming school year. The government has laid regulations that, subject to parliamentary procedures, will mean that ECTs absent for reasons related to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will not have their induction period automatically extended.

The new regulations will extend this provision by a year, until 1 September 2021. This means that ECTs who are currently undertaking statutory induction can complete their induction as expected, provided they meet the Teachers’ Standards.

Absences totalling 30 days or more that are not related to coronavirus (COVID-19) will continue to extend the induction period.

Completion of the induction period

We expect the vast majority of ECTs to continue to work and complete their induction as usual. Headteachers and appropriate bodies should continue to make a decision on whether an ECT has met the Teachers’ Standards, based on their performance throughout their induction.

This decision is still to be made at the end of the induction period, which for most would be the end of the academic year regardless of possible absence due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

In line with regular reporting procedures, the Teaching Regulation Agency should be notified of the outcome of induction. As many ECTs continue to work with schools in some form during this unprecedented period we would encourage induction to continue.

ECTs who are still teaching

We acknowledge that many ECTs are continuing to work in schools in some form despite many schools being closed.

Where possible, we would encourage ECTs to continue with their professional development and maintain frequent contact with their induction tutor and/or mentor.

Assessment points

Headteachers, induction tutors, and appropriate bodies should continue to refer to the Induction for Early Career Teachers (GOV.UK) about the assessment process.

The final assessment meeting should remain at the end of the induction period for the majority of ECTs and evidence should continue to be collected if the ECT is still working in schools in some form. This process will be kept under review.

The Teaching Regulation Agency aims to follow existing schedules for collecting outcome data following the end of the assessment. The Teaching Regulation Agency will work with appropriate bodies affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) to support them in their data returns.

Appropriate Body in Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire Council does not act as an Appropriate Body for ECTs at present. We recommend you contact the Teaching School Hub as detailed on the Early Career Teachers webpage

Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

What advice is there on Initial Teacher Training?

As a general principle, the DfE are asking, where possible, that schools and providers continue to deliver their ITT courses. They recognise, however, that there will be significant disruption to ITT courses due to the closure of schools and other institutions. Therefore, the DfE will enable ITT providers to make judgements on trainees based on assessments already completed and each trainee’s current trajectory of progress towards meeting the teachers’ standards.

Please see the published guidance for more information Coronavirus (COVID-19): initial teacher training (ITT) - GOV.UK

The guidance is for initial teacher training (ITT) providers. It includes actions you may wish to consider for ITT courses disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19). It is based on current public health advice.

These actions will help:

reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your ITT provision
give trainees a fair opportunity to qualify
safeguard teacher supply
ensure those awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) are of the highest possible quality

Initial teacher training (ITT): criteria and supporting advice document has been updated based on current public health advice, to help initial teacher training (ITT) providers reduce the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on their ITT provision.

Overseas Trained Teachers

Although global travel, including to the UK, is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19), teachers that have qualified in other countries are still encouraged to teach in England. There are two Government-run programmes for qualified teachers and further guidance can be found here Overseas Trained Teachers

Overseas trained teachers are able to work on some schools if they do not have QTS Employing overseas teachers without QTS: the ‘4-year rule’

Following Brexit new or updated guidance has been issued for OTT:

Qualified teacher status (QTS): qualify to teach in England - GOV.UK

Changes to checks for EU sanctions on EEA teachers - GOV.UK

Recruit teachers from overseas - GOV.UK

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COVID-19 Newly Qualified Teachers