- Register with a full induction programme and Appropriate Body
- Let the DfE know how you will be supporting your ECT on the DfE portal
Early Career Teaching Programme
Red Kite Teaching School Hub partners with University College London Institute of Education (UCL IOE) to deliver the fully funded Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP) for ECTs and mentors. The ECTP is part of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) with Statutory Induction.
Benefits of the UCL ECF Programme
The UCL ECF programme is a fusion of university and school-based expertise working in partnership to create and implement a programme which is:
- Regional: As a local delivery partner, Red Kite Teaching School Hub has listened carefully to feedback from Headteachers, mentors and ECTs and is using this information to meet the varied needs to better fit school contexts in our region.
- Flexible: Red Kite Teaching School Hub is working in partnership with UCL flexibly and responsively to design and deliver a programme that recognises the strengths and training needs of ECTs and to support mentors to build on their experience and skillset.
- Knowledge and evidence-based: Informed by a deep understanding of the development needs of ECTs and Mentors.
- Drawn from expert theory and current practice: Co-designed by teachers and school leaders, teacher educators and academics with rich experience of translating evidence into practice.
- Inquiry-based spiral learning: The understanding of key themes is established in Year 1, which then extended and deepened through three practice-based inquiries in Year 2.
- Embedded in practice: The applied learning complements practice rather than being a ‘bolt on’ that would add to workload.
UCL Year 1 ECTs
If you missed the ECT Induction conference, please watch the recordings here:
Year 1 ECTs should have received their ECF Seminar dates for the year. These will take place in January, February and April.
ECTs will be invited to their Year 2 Induction Conference later this year, which will be taking place on 23rd or 25th June 2026.
UCL Year 1 Mentors
Mentors will be invited to a further half-day training in June. More information will be sent regarding this training later in the academic year.
UCL Year 2 ECTs: Introduction to ECF Year 2
Year 2 Induction materials are available to catch up on UCL Extend.
UCL Year 2 Mentors
| Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| Recording here | 19/01/2026 or 20/01/2026 | 15/06/2026 or 16/06/2026 |
If you are unable to attend a seminar, please ensure you catch up - all materials and seminar recordings will be available on UCL Extend.
What our ECT's say about the UCL ECF Programme:
- "I have developed my professional voice and this has contributed to my research, both in school and within my personal CPD."
- "I feel supported through Red Kite delivering the ECF and the course has provided good opportunities to network."
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"The training sessions are excellent and the self-directed study materials have been helpful in planning my enquiries."
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"I am excited by the project we are doing and feel it is developing strengths in my ability and approach to teaching."
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"I have been offered great support and a network to be able to develop my career as a teacher."
How to Register an ECT
Please visit the ECT registration page
Contact Us
Non-Standard Induction (NSI)
Please read the UCL NSI Policy here.
January Starters
- Who? January 2026 ECT starters
- Training Path:
- Join September 2025 cohort at Module 3 (Face-to-Face cluster training).
- Complete Module 1 & 2 formative assessments to identify any catch-up needs for mentor meetings.
- Personalised training is explained in the UCL NSI Policy linked above.
- Induction Details:
- Outlined at the online January Induction (22/01/26 4-5pm)
- Link will be sent via email to ECTs, mentors, and Induction Tutors after registration on the DfE Portal.
- Questions? Email: ecf@rklt.co.uk
Part-time ECTs
- Complete ECF training at the same pace as FTE.
- May attend face-to-face clusters if agreed with school, but:
- Sessions are paced for full-time ECTs.
- Schools must adjust mentor sessions to ensure full programme coverage.
- Part-time ECTs must continue training and mentor meetings until the end of Statutory Induction.
- Annual Conferences:
- Part-time ECTs attend based on FTE schedule.
- Example: 0.5 FTE → Year 2 conference at end of second year (programme runs 4 years).
Guidance on NSI ECT programmes can be found in the UCL NSI policy linked above.
For personalised support with part-time ECTs, please contact ecf@rklt.co.uk.
What you need to do if you have an early career teacher starting at your school
DfE Portal - How to register your new ECT
Schools MUST register full details of everyone involved in supporting each ECT on the DfE portal
You must let them know:
- Which ECF route you are using (full induction programme, using the core induction materials or creating your own programme)
- If you have chosen full induction programme, which lead provider you are going with. There are six national lead providers. Red Kite TSH is working with University College London Institute of Teaching (UCL IOE)
- Who your ECF induction tutor is in school (this is whoever will be overseeing the ECT’s induction and completing the paperwork. All emails to the school about the ECF from the DfE will come to the address you provide here)
- Who the ECT is
- Who the mentor is
You will need to provide full information, including TRNs. This is to ensure that you receive the right funding. Please take care to input the correct information in order to get the ECT smoothly onto the programme. It is vital you link the Mentor and ECT on the portal.
Click here for guidance to register your new ECTs with Red Kite
DfE Guidance
The links below have been provided by the Department for Education to provide further guidance on the Early Career Framework.
Induction, training and support for early career teachers (ECTs)
Information on the 2-year induction for ECTs, also the DfE-funded training based on the early career framework (ECF) that is now part of statutory induction.
Changes to statutory induction for early career teachers (ECTs)
Information on the 2-year ECT induction and how it replaces the old 1-year newly qualified teacher (NQT) induction, including the early roll out of the reforms.
How the early career framework (ECF) supports induction
The ECF is a framework for the professional development of early career teachers. ECF-based training is part of their 2-year inductions, but is not assessed.
Funding and eligibility for ECF-based training
How DfE funding for training based on the early career framework (ECF) works, and which schools, early career teachers and mentors are eligible for funding.
How to set up training for early career teachers
Guidance for school leaders and induction tutors on setting up training based on the early career framework.
Guidance for early career teachers (ECTs): ECF-based training
Information for ECTs on professional development training and support based on the early career framework (ECF). This is part of your 2-year induction.
