Support for ECTS

At Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls we believe Early Career Teachers are an asset to our teaching community and we value and invest in their development. We have a great track record of success with ECTs and we believe our ECT Programme speaks for itself. Our recent two year induction cohort achieved 100% pass rate, 100% have stayed in teaching with us at FBA and 50% achieved teaching and learning responsibilities they were passionate and ready for.

We have a funded provider-led programme approach. Our ECTs are enrolled with Ambition Institute, London District East Hub. Our ECTs engage with their support provision through step lab where they access their pedagogy strands and wider readings, our mentors also engage on this platform. Our ECTs attend the Ambition Institute conferences and clinics when directed in line with their entitlements

We ensure ECT entitlements are met and prioritise the wellbeing of ECTs. We achieve this through weekly meetings as a group and also one-to-one meetings with ECTs and the ITT Coordinator to support them as individuals.

Our ECT culture is clear; we champion and celebrate ECTs, we are a community that guides ECTs through the tougher experiences in education so they build confidence and tools to have a highly rewarding and long career.

Please read some of our ECT testimonies.

“Firstly, acknowledging and celebrating small victories has been incredibly beneficial for me. It feels great to share these accomplishments, big or small. Additionally, having the opportunity to express concerns and seek advice when needed has been invaluable. Your open-door policy allows us to approach you for informal chats and quick guidance. Moreover, it’s been important for ECTs to have a direct connection with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This link fosters confidence and encourages more open communication between ECTs and SLT members. Lastly, scheduling regular sessions for ECTs to discuss their experiences and challenges has been an excellent way to build camaraderie and foster cross-departmental relationships”. Cohort 2021-2023 “I have always appreciated having time with our ITT lead in ECT meetings where I genuinely felt listened to, cared about and valued. Our ECT meetings provided me with the opportunity to network outside of my department, which was key to my development. I enjoy meeting up with other ECTS and have formed genuine friendships which is great because they can relate to ECT situations and then became a source of advice and support and helps socially too. Our weekly meetings allowed me to achieve a strong sense of community”. Cohort 2021-2023