Making the most of your ECTE

Advice for ECT1s from Inspire Learning Trust Teaching School Hub (TSH)

As the first term draws to a close, it’s important to acknowledge just how far early career teachers (ECTs) have come since September.

As a team of educators, Inspire Learning TSH know the autumn term can present its own unique challenges for all teachers, let alone ECTs embarking on their first steps into the profession. As an ECT1, you have completed one of the steepest learning curves in your teaching career. You should be extremely proud of how far you’ve come.

The two-week break provides the perfect opportunity to rest and relax after a busy 15 weeks. But returning in January presents a natural moment to pause, reflect and reset. You have already come so far within your ECT programme, and as you enter the spring term, one of the most powerful steps you can take to ensure you maintain your positive trajectory is to remain closely engaged with Inspire Learning TSH’s ECT programme.

Why staying engaged in term two matters

• Timely support: Inspire Learning TSH co-develops its ECT programme with University College London (UCL). The programme uses a spiral curriculum model to give you the right support at the right time. In term two, the programme will focus on refining the knowledge and skills gained in the first term. This way participants can apply these strategies with confidence and consistency.
• Consistency is key: It’s a well-known phrase that has stood the test of time for a reason. Since Inspire Learning TSH designs its ECT programme using a spiral curriculum, strategies are revisited throughout modules to strengthen habits and embed them into classroom practice.
• Peak progress: Research shows that progress occurs when routines are stable. It accelerates when feedback, deliberate practice and mentoring align. By regularly engaging in Inspire Learning TSH’s programme, you will be doing just that. Many mentors often notice ECTs making rapid progress between January and April.

How to stay engaged

1. Short, sharp bursts: Revisit modules in short bursts to make the content more digestible and actionable.
2. Diarise your time: You are more likely to commit to it when it is in your calendar. Give yourself protected time to complete it.
3. Make connections: Regularly remind yourself why you are engaging in the programme – to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to provide all children and young people with the very best education.

Inspire Learning Trust has a team of 48 facilitators to support participants throughout their ECT years.

For further support or guidance if you are continuing through Inspire Learning Trust’s programme, email ecf@inspirelearningtsh.co.uk or speak directly to your course facilitator.