- 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.
How to Register an ECT
Please visit the ECT registration page
Cohort 6 (2026) - UCL Year 1 ECTs
Induction events for Cohort 6 (2026) Year 1 ECTs
ECT Induction & Module 1 - Year 1 Early Career Teacher Programme
These events will take place at Roundhay School.
Cohort 6 (2026) - UCL Mentors
Induction event for new Cohort 6 (2026) Mentors
UCL Mentor Induction Conference - Mentor Induction + LLC
These events will take place at the Red Kite Office
Cohort 5 (2025) - UCL Year 2 ECTs
Year 2 Induction & Module 8 for the UCL Early Career Teacher Programme.
These events will take place at Roundhay School
Tuesday 10th November 2026 - 13:30-15:30 - Book Here
Wednesday 11th November 2026 - 13:30-15:30 - Book Here
Thursday 12th November 2026 - 13:30-15:30 - Book Here
2025 Mentors
Mentors are invited to a further half-day training in June. Please register for the session you did not attend in September, which is typically the opposite year to your ECT.
LLC1 - Supporting a Year 1 ECT
Friday 26th June or Wednesday 1st July
LLC2 - Supporting a Year 2 ECT
Catch up on UCL Extend
Cohort 4 (2024) Year 2 ECTs
Year 2 ECTs are invited to attend our Practice Exchange: Celebration Conference event on Thursday 2nd July 1-3pm at Rossett School.
UCL Year 2 Mentors
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."
Contact Us
Changes to ECTE Mentor Backfill Payments to Schools
The DfE have stated if a mentor does not meet the 75% engagement requirement, the school will not be eligible to receive 80% of the grant payment.
Please see the Conditions of Grant Guidance for further information regarding mentor funding.
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
Please find the recording of our online January 2026 starters induction here.
Please find the Power Point of our online January 2026 starters induction here.
April Starters
- Who? April 2026 ECT starters
- Training Path: Complete 'Summer starter' Programme during summer term, then join September 2026 cohort.
- Induction Details: Online induction conference on Thursday 30th April 4-5pm. Link will be sent upon registration on the DfE portal.
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.
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
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.
