Statutory induction briefing October 2016 Context Statutory induction

Statutory induction briefing October 2016

Context Statutory induction applies to all teachers who gain their qualified teacher status (QTS) after 1 April 2003 NQTs and all parties involved in the induction process should ensure that they are fully aware of the statutory induction arrangements in Wales and the relevant professional standards

Purpose of statutory induction • Contribute to building an excellent teaching workforce for the benefit of all learners • Give NQTs the best possible experience and processes to follow so that they have the best start to their teaching career

• Build on the experiences gained in initial teacher education (ITE) to support career-long professional growth • Provide all NQTs with the opportunity to develop their practice by focusing on the requirements set out in the relevant professional standards • Ensure that all NQTs in Wales are assessed against the relevant professional standards • Prepare all NQTs for their career as a teacher by establishing the skills and behaviours that they need to build on throughout their career

• Ensure that all NQTs focus on the national priorities and are equipped to meet the challenges of the education reform agenda • Ensure that their professional learning focuses on the most effective methods and approaches including reflective practice, effective collaboration, coaching and mentoring and effective use of data and research evidence

The induction arrangements are designed to establish: • A high quality experience for all NQTs • Consistency in structure and support • Flexibility within different patterns of employment • Fair and equitable process • Rigorous and consistent assessment

• Apart from certain exceptions, all NQTs must complete an induction period in order to be eligible to teach in a maintained school in Wales • The statutory induction requirements are the same for all NQTs • Induction can be undertaken by NQTs who have a permanent contract, a temporary contact or are working as short term supply teachers

Induction in Wales can only take place in: - maintained schools - non-maintained special schools - Further Education (FE) institutions that meet specific criteria. Where the criteria are met, the NQTs must register with the EWC in the category of school teacher in addition to the category of FE teacher. See guidance for further details

- independent schools that meet specific criteria. It is recommended that where the criteria are met, NQTs who undertake induction at an independent institution register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) in the category of school teacher. See guidance for further details - a school or further education institution in England if it would count towards induction period under England’s induction regulations

Induction timescale • All NQTs must complete an induction period of 3 school terms or the equivalent i. e. 380 sessions, to evidence meeting all the relevant professional standards • No time limit to completing the 380 sessions but must provide evidence of meeting all the relevant professional standards by completion of 380 sessions or the equivalent

• All school sessions as a qualified teacher must count towards induction • One school session is defined as one morning or one afternoon of employment in a school • Sessions must be signed off by headteacher or senior leader at the school where the sessions took place • Since January 2016 External Mentors (EMs) are allocated to NQTs once the EWC are in receipt of the NQT’s ‘Induction notification as a short term supply form’

Key aspects of the Process • NQTs must have QTS and must register in the category of school teacher with the EWC for induction to begin • Supervision and assessment against the relevant professional standards • NQTs must gather evidence throughout the induction period that they meet all the relevant professional standards.

• Some standards will require regular or sustained teaching in one setting in order to provide secure evidence • For all new NQTs from September 2016 the induction profile will be accessed via the Professional Learning Passport on the EWC’s website www. ewc. wales

• Support and advice on how to evidence the standards will be provided by the school, School Based Mentor (SBM) as appropriate, External Mentor (EM), Appropriate Body (AB), and agency • EM will monitor, review progress and verify sessions • EM and SBM will make a recommendation to the AB whether the NQT has passed, failed, or requires an extension to their induction • AB will make the final decision including considering the evidence provided in all parts of the induction profile

Short term supply NQTs must take responsibility for: • Registering with EWC in the correct category • Logging all school sessions with EWC, within 10 days of completion • Completing their induction profile via the EWC’s Professional Learning Passport • Ensuring that sessions are verified by the Headteacher/senior leader at the school before the short term supply NQT leaves the school

What is the role of agencies?

The Agency • As the NQT’s employer, the agency provides the necessary support to their NQTs given their deployment across different schools • Ensures that relevant checks, including current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks have been undertaken and that references are appropriate • On an annual basis following correspondence from the EWC, checks the registration status of all teachers who are registered with the agency

• Checks that any NQT they offer to a school holds QTS and is registered with the EWC • Ensures that the individual being supplied to the school has the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the role effectively • Signposts NQTs to access information and professional learning resources to meet induction requirements

• Regularly reviews the professional development needs of the individual and ensures they are provided with any necessary development opportunities to continue to meet the requirements of the role and are able to engage in regular professional learning. • Ensures that NQTs are provided with relevant information about the school, where possible, in advance of their deployment • Makes expectations and placement requirements clear to NQTs

In relation to NQTs Ensure agency staff: • inform the NQT that all sessions undertaken as a qualified teacher must be counted • inform NQTs that it is their professional responsibility to ensure they have a secure understanding of and undertake the statutory induction requirements • remind the NQT to inform the school that they are a NQT

• remind the NQT to get the session(s) signed off by the Headteacher or senior leader at the school before they leave the school • remind NQTs to log their sessions fortnightly • signpost NQTs to the EWC’s guidance: Induction - funding, tracking and recording arrangements • encourage NQTs to attend professional learning activities provided by schools and consortia

In relation to schools Ensure agency staff: • inform the school that the teacher being placed is an NQT • inform the school that the Headteacher or senior leader at the school will need to sign off the session(s) before the NQT leaves the school • ensure that the school understands that they have a duty to provide support to all NQTs undertaking induction including those sourced from an agency and provide a SBM where appropriate

• inform the school that the STS NQT will be using their teaching experience at the school to evidence the relevant professional standards • inform the school that the EM may undertake a teaching observation whilst they are working at the school • remind the school that the STS NQT would benefit from attending the school’s professional learning activities