Frequently Asked Questions about NQT Induction
What happens if I have concerns?
In the first instance talk the issue through with your Induction Tutor or line manager or Headteacher as appropriate.
If you feel that you cannot talk to any of these, contact your Professional Association or the Appropriate Body.
The relationships with your Induction Tutor and mentor must be good.
Whatever action you take; do so quickly before any problem escalates.
What is the Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) and how will it help me?
The CEDP is a professional development tool that has been used by ITT providers to help you identify your professional development needs. The CEDP focuses on three transition points: the end of Initial Teacher Training, the start of induction, and towards the end of induction. The CEDP is intended to help you make links between your Initial Teacher Training, induction and your future development as a teacher. It is NOT an assessment tool, nor is it a record of progress, or reference. You should not regard the CEDP as a form to fill in, but should use it to help you clarify your achievements and your goals. With the new ITT provisions coming into place, it is likely that the CEDP will fall into disuse, but it is still a useful document if you can get hold of a copy. We keep it on nqt.learningtrust.net
The CEDP can help both you and the school to understand your strengths and experiences. You should use the CEDP to identify and respond to questions, to support your reflections on your development and progress and to guide the discussions that you have with your Induction Tutor about your progress and your support needs.
How much time should I get for induction activities?
The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document places a statutory duty on Headteachers to ensure that NQTs’ teaching time does not exceed 90% of the average teaching time in the school. This means that the school is obliged to give you this time for the purpose of induction activities.
Is induction time the same as PPA time?
Schools must provide all teachers with 10% guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA). This may not last much longer as a statutory requirement. As an NQT, at least 10% of your timetabled teaching time must be allocated for the purpose of PPA. This means that as an NQT you should receive 10% time for PPA calculated as a proportion of the time you are timetabled to teach. PPA time is additional to the time NQTs must receive for their induction.
Who decides how my time for induction activities is spent?
The DfE, through the National College (NCTL), stated that the time should be used in whatever way is most appropriate to the needs of the individual and their schools. This means that both the school and the individual NQT have a role in identifying induction activities. However, in reality, the school will have the final say in determining which activities are undertaken and when. Some schools may decide to allocate the time into one- or two-day blocks across the year; others may follow a weekly half-day release pattern or distribute time in single periods across each week. Some training needs may be better met through specific activities such as visits to other settings that last a whole day or longer. A school may, therefore, wish to identify a half-day session per week for such activities or ‘bank’ the activities. It is worth negotiating particular activities, such as visiting an NQT in another school.
You should ensure that the 10% time for induction activities is not used for teaching duties. Also ensure that you identify your training and support needs and that your Induction Tutor knows about these.
What should I do if I am not getting the 10% reduction in teaching time?
Your first step should be to raise your concerns with your Induction Tutor and/or your Headteacher. You should point out that it is a statutory entitlement, and that not getting the time may have an impact on your ability to meet the Induction Standards and, therefore, on your future career in teaching. If this is not successful, or you feel that you are unable to do so, your second step is to consult the Appropriate Body, either through the School Improvement Adviser or through the Induction Co-ordinator. Finally, you should consult your Professional Representative about the difficulties that you are experiencing. It would be helpful to keep a record of your teaching load so that you can clearly demonstrate what is being asked of you.
What should I receive when I begin my induction programme?
As soon as you begin your induction programme you should expect to receive advice on the following:
• timetabling of lessons, support arrangements, the name and contact details for your Induction Tutor, and a schedule for meetings and formal assessments;
• reporting arrangements, entitlements to pay during sickness absences, and contacts for other absences;
• arrangements for salary payments, provision for pensions and other entitlements;
• health and safety, equal opportunity, drugs, bullying and behaviour management policies;
• other relevant policies including arrangements for cover, child protection, etc;
• the nature of the contract of employment, a list of duties and management arrangements.
Are there things that I should not be expected to do?
It is important that you are not given a job description that makes unreasonable demands on you whilst you are an NQT. This applies if you are working full-time or part-time, if you are working in a permanent post or on long-term supply. Whilst it may be hard to determine what is and is not reasonable, normally an NQT should serve the induction period in a post which:
• does not demand teaching outside the age range and subject(s) for which the NQT has been trained;
• does not present the NQT on a day-to-day basis with acute or especially demanding discipline problems;
• involves regular teaching of the same class(es);
• involves similar planning, teaching and assessment processes to those in which teachers working in substantive posts in the school are engaged; and
• does not involve additional non-teaching responsibilities without the provision of appropriate preparation and support.
However, if an opportunity comes your way to undertake a piece of work that enhances your role and you feel able to undertake it, do so.
How do I calculate my Induction period and assessment dates if I am part-time?
When your school registers you with the Appropriate Body, the school will be advised as to the length of your Induction period and the dates when your three assessments are due.
If you are still unsure, please contact Izzy Hall on 01296 382859
Please contact the NQT team if you have any further questions on 01296 382859 or nqt@learningtrust.net
In the first instance talk the issue through with your Induction Tutor or line manager or Headteacher as appropriate.
If you feel that you cannot talk to any of these, contact your Professional Association or the Appropriate Body.
The relationships with your Induction Tutor and mentor must be good.
Whatever action you take; do so quickly before any problem escalates.
What is the Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) and how will it help me?
The CEDP is a professional development tool that has been used by ITT providers to help you identify your professional development needs. The CEDP focuses on three transition points: the end of Initial Teacher Training, the start of induction, and towards the end of induction. The CEDP is intended to help you make links between your Initial Teacher Training, induction and your future development as a teacher. It is NOT an assessment tool, nor is it a record of progress, or reference. You should not regard the CEDP as a form to fill in, but should use it to help you clarify your achievements and your goals. With the new ITT provisions coming into place, it is likely that the CEDP will fall into disuse, but it is still a useful document if you can get hold of a copy. We keep it on nqt.learningtrust.net
The CEDP can help both you and the school to understand your strengths and experiences. You should use the CEDP to identify and respond to questions, to support your reflections on your development and progress and to guide the discussions that you have with your Induction Tutor about your progress and your support needs.
How much time should I get for induction activities?
The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document places a statutory duty on Headteachers to ensure that NQTs’ teaching time does not exceed 90% of the average teaching time in the school. This means that the school is obliged to give you this time for the purpose of induction activities.
Is induction time the same as PPA time?
Schools must provide all teachers with 10% guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA). This may not last much longer as a statutory requirement. As an NQT, at least 10% of your timetabled teaching time must be allocated for the purpose of PPA. This means that as an NQT you should receive 10% time for PPA calculated as a proportion of the time you are timetabled to teach. PPA time is additional to the time NQTs must receive for their induction.
Who decides how my time for induction activities is spent?
The DfE, through the National College (NCTL), stated that the time should be used in whatever way is most appropriate to the needs of the individual and their schools. This means that both the school and the individual NQT have a role in identifying induction activities. However, in reality, the school will have the final say in determining which activities are undertaken and when. Some schools may decide to allocate the time into one- or two-day blocks across the year; others may follow a weekly half-day release pattern or distribute time in single periods across each week. Some training needs may be better met through specific activities such as visits to other settings that last a whole day or longer. A school may, therefore, wish to identify a half-day session per week for such activities or ‘bank’ the activities. It is worth negotiating particular activities, such as visiting an NQT in another school.
You should ensure that the 10% time for induction activities is not used for teaching duties. Also ensure that you identify your training and support needs and that your Induction Tutor knows about these.
What should I do if I am not getting the 10% reduction in teaching time?
Your first step should be to raise your concerns with your Induction Tutor and/or your Headteacher. You should point out that it is a statutory entitlement, and that not getting the time may have an impact on your ability to meet the Induction Standards and, therefore, on your future career in teaching. If this is not successful, or you feel that you are unable to do so, your second step is to consult the Appropriate Body, either through the School Improvement Adviser or through the Induction Co-ordinator. Finally, you should consult your Professional Representative about the difficulties that you are experiencing. It would be helpful to keep a record of your teaching load so that you can clearly demonstrate what is being asked of you.
What should I receive when I begin my induction programme?
As soon as you begin your induction programme you should expect to receive advice on the following:
• timetabling of lessons, support arrangements, the name and contact details for your Induction Tutor, and a schedule for meetings and formal assessments;
• reporting arrangements, entitlements to pay during sickness absences, and contacts for other absences;
• arrangements for salary payments, provision for pensions and other entitlements;
• health and safety, equal opportunity, drugs, bullying and behaviour management policies;
• other relevant policies including arrangements for cover, child protection, etc;
• the nature of the contract of employment, a list of duties and management arrangements.
Are there things that I should not be expected to do?
It is important that you are not given a job description that makes unreasonable demands on you whilst you are an NQT. This applies if you are working full-time or part-time, if you are working in a permanent post or on long-term supply. Whilst it may be hard to determine what is and is not reasonable, normally an NQT should serve the induction period in a post which:
• does not demand teaching outside the age range and subject(s) for which the NQT has been trained;
• does not present the NQT on a day-to-day basis with acute or especially demanding discipline problems;
• involves regular teaching of the same class(es);
• involves similar planning, teaching and assessment processes to those in which teachers working in substantive posts in the school are engaged; and
• does not involve additional non-teaching responsibilities without the provision of appropriate preparation and support.
However, if an opportunity comes your way to undertake a piece of work that enhances your role and you feel able to undertake it, do so.
How do I calculate my Induction period and assessment dates if I am part-time?
When your school registers you with the Appropriate Body, the school will be advised as to the length of your Induction period and the dates when your three assessments are due.
If you are still unsure, please contact Izzy Hall on 01296 382859
Please contact the NQT team if you have any further questions on 01296 382859 or nqt@learningtrust.net
