How to Secure Your First Job as an Early Career Teacher (ECT)
Written by Bryony Lopez Specialist Recruitment Consultant
I have worked with ECT’s, NQT’s and all types of teachers from a range of backgrounds and 4myschools has over 13 years’ experience in the education sector so we wanted to offer some insight into the best way to secure your first teaching job after you qualify as an ECT.
One of the first points to consider is:
When should I apply for Early Career Teaching jobs?
Begin by doing some research on schools in your area and reputable agencies that work with schools in your desired location(s).
September 2023 vacancies will start to be advertised as early as November 2022 (we have some we are working on currently – so please visit our jobs board). In January , you will notice schools advertising their vacancies – this is when a high proportion of September ECT’s start positions will be advertised.
The last opportunity for teachers to submit a resignation in time for the new academic year start, is the 31st May. There will be more opportunities arise throughout the remainder of the academic year, but these will start reducing in frequency as we get nearer to the summer holidays.
For those of you who are just qualifying we currently have last minute vacancies for September where teachers plans have changed.
Sign up with a specialist education recruitment agency, with everything else that you are focusing on why not allow us to do the leg work for you by submitting you for the roles you are interested in? Have you ever heard someone say, “job hunting is a full-time job”? Well, it’s true and we can relieve that pressure a little for you and you can utilise our networks and expertise, while you focus on your induction, school, and pupils.
What is a suitable position for induction as an ECT?
There are a few details that contribute to this the first is that the duration of the vacancy needs to be a minimum of 1 term. Both full- and part-time positions can support induction, as can permanent roles (where you are employed directly with the school) or long-term supply (where you are booked via an employment business).
If you are undertaking a part-time role supporting induction you will need to have completed the equivalent of two years (6 terms) work or; where you can demonstrate that you have met the Teachers’ Standards, the appropriate body is able to reduce the length of the induction period, providing you have completed a period covering, but not equivalent to, two school years, and bring forward the final assessment point (see Induction for early careers teachers (England) para 3.5 www.gov.uk).
When working on a supply basis. If you have secured a booking that was not initially long-term, but it is extended to the equivalent of 1 terms work or more, an induction programme must be put in place at the point that this becomes apparent. It is not possible to backdate the start of an induction period.
Please do get in contact if you would like some advice or are looking for this September or next, we are happy to help.
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call us 01245 353808
What school settings can induction be served
a relevant school in England including:
a maintained school; a non-maintained special school; a maintained nursery school; a nursery school that forms part of a maintained school; a local authority maintained children’s centre; and a pupil referral unit (PRU).
a non-maintained nursery school.
an independent school in England; academies; free schools; 16–19 academies; alternative provision academies; and city technology colleges or an independent nursery school (in the circumstances set out in Induction for early careers teachers (England) para 2.44 www.gov.uk)
a further education (FE) institution, including a sixth-form college (in the circumstances set out in Induction for early careers teachers (England) para 2.3 www.gov.uk)
an independent school overseas which:
has been inspected by a DfE-accredited inspectorate within the last six years against the Standards for Inspection of British Schools Overseas; and
has satisfactorily met all those standards/categories; and is a member of an organisation which the DfE has determined may represent such schools
a school or FE institution in Wales in which an induction period may be served under Welsh regulation
What salary can I expect as an ECT?
ECT’s outside of London will be looking at a starting salary of £25,714 and for those working in a school in the London fringe areas, the starting salary will be £26,948 in accordance with the 2021/2022 teacher pay scales.
Salaries can be increased by taking on addition responsibilities.
First impressions count as an ECT
I cannot stress enough to you how important it is for you to say ’yes’ to the right opportunity for you. Your induction years are some of your first impressions of teaching and they will have a huge impact on your career, so choose your school wisely.
I would recommend attending a few consecutively arranged interviews if possible so that you can make comparisons based on details that are fresh in your mind.
Ask questions to about your potential induction tutor and mentor, and where possible meet them. This will help you to gain an understanding of their coaching and mentoring approach so that you can establish how you can get the best from this support taking into consideration your learning/working style.
Possibly ask to speak with any current NQTs (pre-September 2021 cohort) to find out about their induction experience.
Finally speak with a specialist education recruitment consultant. As education experts we will be able to provide you with insight based on a collection of other peoples’ experiences and our relationships with school leadership teams.
Content inspiration from Statutory Induction Guidance 2018 (publishing.service.gov.uk) and How do you get a job in teaching after training? (targetjobs.co.uk)
Bryony Lopez
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