Best Practice Monthly: Changes to Statutory Induction Come into Force
New induction regulations and statutory guidance for newly qualified teachers (NQTs) came into effect on 1st September this year. It is the law that all qualified teachers in maintained schools, non-maintained special schools, maintained nursery schools and pupil referral units, must complete an induction period after gaining qualified teacher status. However, it is not a legal requirement for academy schools and free schools to get newly qualified teachers through an induction period, although the government says they are free to follow the regulations and statutory guidance if they choose.
The main changes relate to the administration and timing of when NQTs must undergo induction, who must undergo induction and where it may be served. For full details of all the administrative changes, please click here.
Also changed from September 2012, are the new ‘Teachers’ Standards’ which replace the standards for ‘Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)’ and the Core professional standards. The new standards define the minimum level of practice expected of trainees and teachers from the point of being awarded qualified teacher status, and they will be used to assess an NQT’s performance at the end of their induction period in employment.
The new Teachers’ Standards are split into two; the Standards for Teaching (part one) and the standards for Professional and Personal Conduct (part two).
The latter standards consist of the following:
Teachers uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school, by:
- treating pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position
- having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions
- showing tolerance of and respect for the rights of others
- not undermining fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
- ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.
Teachers must have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school in which they teach, and maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality.
Teachers must have an understanding of, and always act within, the statutory frameworks which set out their professional duties and responsibilities.
Evidencing Achievement
Your NQTs can help to evidence their achievement of some of these standards by using the online learning courses available through your school's EduCare for Education service. It focuses on duty of care areas and includes 16 concise learning courses on child protection, equality and diversity, children’s rights, first aid essentials, health and safety in education and many more. Every course concentrates on what participants ‘need-to-know’ about the subject and each has its own personalised, downloadable certificate to provide evidence of achievement. Management reports allow those in charge of the induction to view the NQT’s progress and look at their marks for each module.
Of course, EduCare for Education isn’t just for NQTs – as each course is independently verified for CPD, your annual licence means you can train every adult in your school in these important duties. The learning can be undertaken from any computer at any time, at home or at school. On professional development days, you could even book the school’s ICT room and train everyone together at the same time.
To access EduCare for Education, click here.
For more detail about the new the Teachers’ Standards, please click here.
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