Supporting our Early Career Teachers (ECTs) in their new careers
Supporting our Early Career Teachers (ECTs) in their new careers
The professional development of our staff is immensely important to us. Across the Trust, we employ 21 ECTs (which is short for Early Career Teachers who are in their first year of teaching) and we work with them closely to support them in the early stages of their careers.
Last week, all of the ECTs from across the Trust gathered together at Spalding Academy for an after-school workshop training session where the aim was to share best practice to help develop new strategies (whilst enjoying an afternoon tea!).
Our talented group of ECTs have come from various backgrounds – whether that is straight from university (after a degree or teacher training) or they want to change career for a job that is more rewarding. Everyone can therefore bring a different perspective and new ideas that can be shared.
It was great to see that three of our current ECTs are all former students from Bourne Academy and are now back working in the Trust as teachers! Mr Paul Watson is teaching Science at Bourne, Mr Zak Munton is PE and Maths at Spalding and Mr Will Baker is also at Spalding teaching Geography.
(left to right) Mr Paul Watson, Mr Zak Munton and Mr Will Baker are all former students at Bourne Academy
Working in small groups, they were able to discuss how they progressed to become a teacher, how they adapted during the pandemic, the best practices in lessons planning, overcoming any difficulties or challenges and highlight their proudest moments.
They could then share their ‘golden nuggets’ amongst the whole group that could use within their own teaching.
The ECTs within our Trust have access to a tailored and challenging in-house training programme which runs throughout the year and this session was one of the highlights of the calendar.
The workshop was led by Mrs Daisy Bland, Assistant Headteacher, who oversees the ECT programme across the Trust and Mrs Lindsay Bamber, who is Director for Staff Development & Workforce Reform at Spalding Academy and part of the Induction Tutor team.
Mrs Lindsay Bamber (left) and Mrs Daisy Bland (right)
Mrs Daisy Bland, Assistant Headteacher, who oversees the ECT programme across the Trust, said “It’s amazing to welcome back some of our ex-students as teachers – we are so proud of the progress they’ve made since graduating sixth form and they are excellent role models for our current students. Tonight’s session has been brilliant. We are very lucky to have such a dynamic and engaging group of ECTs working across our Trust. The students they teach benefit hugely from their energy and enthusiasm, as well as their recent training and knowledge of the most exciting developments in pedagogy. The golden nuggets collected tonight will be extremely useful for all of the ECTs moving forwards and we will also share this collection of best practice with our wider staff teams.”
If you’re interested in getting into teaching and training at South Lincolnshire Academies Trust, please visit www.slat.org.uk/teacher-training