For ECTs trained by Astra Teaching School Hub and therefore unable to register with them, Buckinghamshire  Council will act as an alternative local provider, to facilitate equity of provision across our Schools.

Appropriate Body regulations prohibit an Appropriate Body from providing services to ECTs where:

• The Appropriate Body has awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to the ECT
• The ECT is placed at the lead school of the Appropriate Body

In Buckinghamshire, this means that Astra Teaching School Hub cannot function as the Appropriate Body for any ECTs who:

• have been awarded QTS by the Astra SCITT, or
• are placed at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School

To promote consistent practice Buckinghamshire Council will act as the Appropriate Body for those ECTs trained by Astra Teaching School Hub. In accordance with the statutory guidance, a TSH that is an accredited ITT provider cannot be the appropriate body for an ECT for whom they recommended QTS.

Accordingly, we have agreed to offer local schools alternative provisions. A memorandum of understanding has been drawn up to ensure professional integrity where there may be a conflict of interest. Buckinghamshire Council will work collaboratively with the Astra Teaching School Hub to deliver the training for ECTs and mentors and ensure that schools' experience will be the same regardless of whether Astra or Buckinghamshire Council is the Appropriate Body for the ECT.

How will this happen in practice?

• Astra will act as the single point of contact for Headteachers wishing to procure Appropriate Body services and will be responsible for identifying and providing information to those ECTs who need to be registered with an alternative provider - invoicing on behalf of Astra and Buckinghamshire Council.
• Where schools have ECTs across both Appropriate Bodies, Astra and Buckinghamshire Council may collaborate with regard to the Appropriate Body duty of Monitoring of Support - checking that ECTs are receiving their statutory entitlement and providing ECT fidelity check, ensuring schools are supported to give ECTs with an ECF-based induction (with the exception of ECTs based at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, where Buckinghamshire Council will act independently).
• Buckinghamshire Council will act independently when undertaking the duty of Monitoring of Assessment – making the decisions regarding whether or not the ECT has met the Teachers’ Standards, based on the headteacher's recommendation.

Information regarding Astra’s services and support provided can be viewed on the Astra hub website

Contact the Astra Teaching School Hub by calling 01494 787513 or emailing ect@astra-alliance.com

ECT Registration 2022-23

We are pleased to confirm details of the Astra Appropriate Body and Buckinghamshire Council Appropriate Body offer for your ECTs starting induction from September 2022.

Head Teacher Letter May 2022 (PDF)

Astra ECT Information, Event 24th May 2022 (PDF)

Astra ECF Training Dates 2022-23 (PDF) 

Each school should receive an email from the DfE about the Online Service, which allows them to register ECTs and Mentors for the ECF. This will be sent to the school email address registered on the GIAS. This could be an admin or office email address in some cases, so make your office staff aware. See the link below which explains what to do if you have not used the service before or cannot get access: DfE step-by-step guidance (gov.uk)