Q. When do Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) have to start their induction support programme?
A. There is no time limit, following the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), by which NQTs have to start their induction. We do advise that they try to complete their induction as soon as possible after being awarded QTS, so as to build on and strengthen the skills gained during initial teacher training (ITT).
Q. I have been told that NQTs have to start/complete their induction within 5 years of being awarded QTS, and that, if they don't, they can no longer teach and will have their QTS taken off them. Is this true?
A. No, this is not true. There are no time limits to starting induction. Even in the unlikely event of an NQT failing their induction, or not undertaking their induction, they will not have their QTS taken away from them. They worked hard for their QTS by successfully completing their ITT (and skills tests where appropriate), and it is theirs to keep!
Q. Is there a deadline by which NQTs have to finish their induction?
A. It is normally expected that teachers will complete induction within five years of starting it. If five or more years elapse since a person started their induction period, they may be eligible to apply for an extension from the Appropriate Body (either a Local Education Authority (LEA) or, if a school is a member, the Independent Schools Council Teacher Induction Panel) if they require more time.
Q. If an NQT fails their induction support programme, can they take it again?
A. No one may serve more than one induction period. If they have failed their induction period and, if they have appealed against this decision, the Appeal Panel upholds the decision that they have failed. Appeals are heard by the General Teaching Council for England. (GTCE).
Q. Is there anywhere an NQT would be able to carry on with short-term supply work or longer supply work without starting their induction?
A. Only in a school or other educational institution that does not offer an induction programme, i.e. they would not be able to do this in a maintained school or non-maintained special school, unless the LA has agreed to an extension to the short-term supply entitlement due to exceptional circumstances.
Q. What can an NQT do after the 4 terms of short-terms supply are over?
A. After the 4 terms are over, NQTs can continue to do supply work in a maintained or non-maintained special school only when the supply placement is for one term or more, and therefore induction is being undertaken, unless the LA has agreed to an extension to the short-term supply entitlement due to exceptional circumstances.
Q. Can an NQT change from teaching Primary to Secondary or vice versa during their induction year?
A. Yes. There is nothing stopping NQTs from doing, for example, two terms secondary and one term primary. There is no legal obstacle - once an NQT has QTS they can, legally teach any age range, even if it is not the age range they studied during their ITT. However, teaching outside the age range for which they trained is unlikely to offer the best context for induction. An NQT in this situation is likely to need additional support in order to meet, and show that they are meeting, the Core Standards.
Q. Will an NQT receive a 'Golden Hello'?
A. For information on Golden Hellos, please refer to the TTA website or contact official within the Department at:
School Workforce Unit
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
LONDON
SW1P 3BT
Tel: 0207 925 5720
Fax: 0207 925 6819
Email: farhana.patel@dfes.qsi.gov.uk
Website: (TTA): www.tda.gov.uk/partners/funding/goldenhellos.aspx
Q. Induction Certificates: what should an NQT do if the information on their Induction certificate is incorrect/they change their name/lose their induction certificate?
A. An NQT's induction certificate will be issued by the GTCE. You can contact the GTCE on:
General Teaching Council for England
Teachers' Qualifications Section
3rd Floor, Cannon House
24 The Priory Queensway
Birmingham B4 6BS
Tel: 0870 001 0308 Fax: 0121 345 0100
E-mail: tqhelpdesk@gtce.org.uk
Website: www.gtce.org.uk/homepage.asp
Q. If a teacher has trained overseas and has worked as a teacher for several years overseas, are they exempt from induction?
A. If the teacher is an Overseas Trained Teacher (OTT) they may need to present themselves for assessment against the QTS standards. It is worth noting that, should an OTT be assessed against the QTS standards, they can at the same time be assessed (at their request) against the Core Standards - if they meet the Core Standards, they will be exempt from having to do an induction support programme. For further information, please contact the Teacher Development Agency overseas advice line on: 0118 952 3966 or email ott@cfbt-hq.org.uk
Q. If a teacher has not received/has lost their DCSF Teacher Number, who do they contact?
A. A teacher's DCSF Teacher Number is issued by an organisation called CAPITA. You can contact CAPITA on:
Tel: 01325 745 746 Fax: 01325 745 789
Email: tpmail@capitagroup.co.uk
Q. Can part-time teachers undertake an induction programme?
A. Yes. The length of the period for part-time teachers will be calculated on a pro rata basis so that the teacher covers the equivalent of 378 school sessions. For instance, the induction period for a teacher working for 50 per cent of the time will need to last for six school terms (at a schools that has a 3 term academic year).
Q. How will the induction period be assessed?
A. Monitoring is an important component of support and the teacher's progress is monitored throughout the year as part of their induction support programme. This includes the informal monitoring and formative assessment that takes place on a day to day basis as well as the teacher's self evaluation, scheduled observations and review discussions. Assessment meetings between the induction tutor and/or the headteacher and NQT are held towards the end of each term.
Q. Will terms of Induction undertaken in Wales count towards induction in England?
A. Yes. The Welsh Assembly has introduced statutory induction in Wales from September 2003. Any period of induction of a term or more in Wales will count towards an induction period in England (and vice versa). Please note that this is not the case for induction/probation in Northern Ireland, Eire or Scotland.
