ECT Extra programme
Our ECT extra programme aims to provide Early Career Teachers with CPD in specific areas. The sessions have been selected and devised based on feedback from ECTs and Mentors over the last 2 years, and are delivered by a range of amazing teachers and leaders in our regional schools.
Facilitated by expert practitioners from across the region, they aim to strengthen and develop knowledge and practice, and present a great opportunity to meet peers and colleagues at a similar career stage.
It is great to see this programme providing an opportunity for exploration of pedagogy, discussion and networking.
To ensure easy access for all participants, sessions:
- Are delivered online and after school, they are all recorded, with links added to this page.
- Run from 4 pm - 5 pm (with an additional 30 minutes for questions at the end of each session).
- Take place on Zoom, follow the links below to register your place and submit any questions for facilitators.
Session 1: Relationships
Wednesday 25th September 2024
About this session:
Creating positive and meaningful relationships with your classes and colleagues from the word go is, of course, important, but not always as easy as it might seem. This session will provide advice and practical tips on how to create and maintain positive relationships in and beyond the classroom with top tips from our experts, alongside words of wisdom from some of our more experienced ECTs who have perhaps stumbled along the way but made changes that have proved effective over their first years in the profession.
Session 2: Challenging Behaviours
Wednesday 16th October 2024
About this session:
This might be your first term on your own in the classroom, setting your own expectations and maintaining them. This session will look at how we establish behaviour expectations as a new teacher and build confidence around productive an positive relationship. Our facilitators and ECTs will share top tips and strategies that are tried and tested around de-escalation, routines, communication, restoration, policies and healthy, happy relationships.
Session 3: Active Learning
Thursday 7th November 2024
About this session:
We all love those activities that require low preparation but have impact on pupil progress and making abstract concepts concrete. Join our experts in this session who will share a wide range of activities and discuss how best to implement them to ensure your lesson planning does not become activity driven, but remains engaging and effective.
Session 4: Checking for Understanding
Wednesday 5th December 2024
About this session:
Checking for Understanding is an important element in effective teaching - some might say THE most important element if we want our teaching to be truly responsive to the needs of our pupils. This session will look at the theory behind why CfU is so important in the teaching process and some common mistakes that teachers might make around concepts such as cold calling, mini whiteboards and Think-Pair-Share. We will also look at the importance of establishing a culture of embracing error.
Session 5: Ofsted
Thursday 30th January 2025
About this session:
If your school is in an Ofsted window, you might want to understand what the inspection looks and feels like. This session is run by school leaders in primary and secondary who will give you an idea of what the inspection involves, how to prepare for it and explore how ECTs might be involved in discussions on the day. ECTs who have experienced a recent inspection will also be present to share their experiences and advice.
Session 6: Adaptive Teaching
Thursday 13th February 2025
About this session:
‘Is everyone making progress?’ How do we raise the tide so all the boats will float? Practical advice and strategies that will help you to support ALL learners in your classroom. Adaptive teaching is a skill which requires time to perfect. It may well be a focus of your current ECT reviews and reports as we see this quite frequently as a target. Why not come along to hear what our experts have to say and listen to some of the advice from some recent ECTs?
Session 7: Assessment and Feedback
Wednesday 5th March 2025
About this session:
When we are looking at formal and informal feedback, what we want is feedback that works for teacher and learner. No teacher wants to spend time giving feedback that is not valued or valuable to teacher or child. How do we ensure that our assessment and feedback routines are both productive and efficient? Hear from experienced teachers and recently qualified teachers about the lessons they have learnt around assessment and feedback and enjoy the opportunity to ask the questions you have always wanted to ask.
Session 8: Teaching Fundamentals
Wednesday 26th March 2025
About this session:
Teachers have a range of tools available to them which facilitate them to do their job well. Some of the fundamentals of our trade involve explaining, modelling and questioning alongside assessing and checking for understanding. Doing the fundamentals well will have an impact on relationships and outcomes. Join us for this session to hear key messages about why the fundamentals matter and how to maximise their impact. The facilitators for this session are in their 6th and 36th year of teaching - the fundamentals are the bedrock of a long and effective career in teaching.
Session 9: Data
Wednesday 7th May 2025
About this session:
The who, what, where, when, how, why of data collection and analysis. What does it all mean, why do we collect it and what do we do with it that makes a difference? Getting data collection right is important but more important is our motives and the way we use the data to impact on pupil progress. Better data leads to better decisions. Join our facilitators and ECTs to hear some key messages and ask any questions you might have.
Session 10: Early Leadership
Wednesday 21st May 2025
About this session:
Over the years we have noticed that several of our ECTs are falling into or seeking leadership roles. Early leadership can be a joy but also a challenge.
Join our ECTs who have experienced leadership either as an ECT or shortly after completing their induction. Hear from them how they dealt with the responsibility and managed the learning curve of becoming a leader. Our facilitators will talk frankly about the lessons they have learnt from their experience and will be happy to take any questions.