Introducing induction
Induction is an important part of your development as a teacher. The National Education Union (NEU) has produced this guide to answer some of the questions you might have and to help make your induction work for you.
Teachers with qualified teacher status (QTS) in England are required to complete a two-year induction process that supports them in delivering high-quality teaching in their first school (or schools) and assesses their performance against the Teachers’ Standards. Induction offers the ECT a structured programme of support, a dedicated mentor, and a timetable reduced by 10% in Year 1 and 5% in year 2.
Since 2025, induction has been incorporated into the all-through training framework, the Initial teacher training and early career framework (ITTECF formerly the ECF). This change was made to avoid content repetition from ITT through induction.
New teachers who apply to teach in maintained schools (run by a local authority), independent special schools, maintained nursery schools, maintained children’s centres and pupil referral units must have QTS, and are expected to complete and pass their induction in those settings by meeting the Teachers’ Standards. Currently, teachers working in academies, free schools and independent schools are not required to have QTS (although over 95% of teachers in academies will have it). The government is proposing that, from 2026, new teachers in academies and free schools must have QTS. This means that new teachers in all state funded settings (other than FE colleges, UTCs, Studio Schools and academy nurseries) will be required to complete and pass induction training to continue teaching.
What are the Teachers’ Standards in England?
The Teachers’ Standards set out the criteria against which the ECT will be assessed in England, and what can reasonably be expected of an ECT by the end of their induction period. The standards are used to assess ECTs as well as all other teachers in maintained schools.
The decision about whether you have met the standards should be made on the basis of what can be reasonably expected of an ECT by the end of their induction period. Judgements should reflect the expectation that ECTs have effectively consolidated their initial teacher education and demonstrated an ability to meet relevant standards over a sustained period.
In Wales, the induction period for newly qualified teachers (NQTs) is one year. For more information about induction in Wales, please see the NEU publication Your Guide to Induction in Wales.
In Northern Ireland, induction and early professional development (EPD) normally take three years to complete. For more information about induction in Northern Ireland, please see the NEU publication Your Guide to Induction in Northern Ireland.
Appropriate bodies
The appropriate body is responsible for deciding whether you meet the standards, based on your head teacher’s recommendation. They also ensure that you are being adequately supported by the schools you work in, and that your training entitlements are met. Your employer must register you with the appropriate body before you start induction. Your employer should tell you which appropriate body is responsible for your institution and give you a named contact.