Getting off to a good start

Core professional standards

If you are taking up your first post this term, your induction will begin immediately. You should be prepared for the first meeting with your induction tutor.

From September 2007, there are no separate induction standards for NQTs. Instead, you will be assessed against the revised professional standards for teachers. There are 41 core standards across three themes:

• professional attributes
• professional knowledge and understanding
• professional skills.

Remember, your induction lasts for three terms and you have all of this time in which to meet the core standards. You will also have years to improve and develop your skills.

Our article on the the new professional standards framework gives more details about the standards.

You can also access the core standards website of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA).

Support in your induction year

When you meet with your induction tutor, refer to your career entry development profile (CEDP) as a guide to development points.

You are entitled to a 10% reduction of timetable for your induction. This is a statutory allocation that is in addition to any non-contact time allocated for planning, assessment and preparation.

You must also establish a routine of looking after yourself and giving yourself dedicated ‘work-free’ time so that you have a reasonable work-life balance. Read the comments from other Network members in our article on time management. 

Finally, always ask for advice and help if you need it but trust your own judgement too.

Induction: what happens next?

As the induction year ends you should be aware of the future arrangements for your performance management. This process includes all teachers and head teachers.

What is performance management?

Performance management is the process of assessing a teacher’s overall performance in the context of each individual’s job description. The process is closely linked to school improvement and to continuing professional development (CPD). The regulations make it very clear that CPD should be effective, sustained and relevant.

All employed post-induction teachers are entitled to their own performance management and professional development, and are expected to play an active role in it.

What can you do to ensure the performance management process works for you?

• Familiarise yourself with the performance management process by reading the information available on the TDA website.
• Make sure you are aware of the revised professional standards for teachers (also on the TDA site).
• Reflect on your success and development points from your induction year and ensure that these are noted, so you can build on them within the performance management process.
• Find out who will be responsible for carrying out your performance management review and when the first meeting will be held.
• Be an active partner in the process; have some ideas for your development and related CPD already prepared for the first meeting.

Your professional and personal well-being

Your well-being will contribute to your professional effectiveness.

Sometimes there are problems that teachers do not want to discuss with colleagues. The Teacher Support Network (TSN) is a charity that offers free, independent, practical and emotional support for teachers and their families. You can find out more on the TSN website.

Learning from each other

Last year, two Engage members told us about their experiences as NQTs:

Looking back over the induction year (Autumn 2006)
Surviving and thriving in the NQT year (Spring 2006)

If you would like to write a piece about your own experience of induction and early career development, please email engage@gtce.org.uk.