Evaluation of the national roll-out of the early career framework induction programmes

Interim research brief (year one)

This interim research briefing presents emerging findings, based on the experiences of Early Career Teachers (ECTs), mentors and induction tutors, of the first term of the 2-year provider-led Early Career Framework (ECF) training programme. It is the first element of a 3-year process evaluation of the national roll-out (NRO) of the new ECT induction underpinned by the ECF.

The evaluation will support continuous development of the implementation of ECF based induction programme This briefing includes initial findings gathered at the end of the first term of delivery of the DfE-funded provider-led ECF based training from: a baseline survey of ECTs, mentors and induction tutors actively participating in the training (18,677 respondents, giving a response rate of 34%); discussions with all six lead providers tasked with coordinating delivery of the training programmes; feedback from internal DfE stakeholders involved in developing and implementing relevant policy; and analysis of management information data extracted from DfE’s digital service platform.

Within the changes to statutory induction, schools can choose to adopt one of three approaches to ECF based induction programme. Analysis of DfE platform data finds that the vast majority (95%) of schools are participating in a DfE-funded provider-led ECF based training programme (referred to as ‘provider-led training’). Around 500 schools are using DfE accredited materials to deliver their own ECF based training; and fewer than 100 schools are designing and delivering their own training programme based on the ECF. This briefing presents initial findings based on schools and individuals engaging with the provider-led ECF based training only. Further analysis and findings will be provided in the year one annual report (due to be published in the autumn).