Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Deferred
Paragraph: 127
Allocate additional time and resources to Early Career Framework mentors for teacher support
Recommendation
For the mentoring aspect of the ECF we recommend that more time and resources are given to mentors, in order for them to provide early career teachers with the necessary time and support. Mentoring provides a key strength of the framework, but retention of experienced mentors will be key to its long-term success.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states the Secretary of State has asked for the STRB’s views on supporting flexible working and will consider future research opportunities, not committing more time and resources for ECF mentors.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
127
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
Mentoring is a vital part of the current ECF programme, and we are committed to continuing to support and retain ECT mentors. Schools are already supported with additional funding for ECF-based training which is paid directly to schools. This covers a dedicated mentor for each ECT to ensure that mentors have sufficient time to spend with their ECTs. If a school uses a training provider, they also receive funded training delivered to mentors as well as time off timetable so that mentors can attend training. Evidence suggests that mentors generally enjoy the role of supporting ECTs and this enjoyment is strongest when they are supported by their school, and this includes receiving the necessary time off timetable. However, mentor workload is often too high so from September 2025, training for new mentors will be streamlined from two years to one year. Provider-led programmes will also provide mentor session materials so mentors can spend their valuable time with their ECTs, rather than planning sessions and creating resources. We will continue to look for further ways to support ECT mentors with their important role. We also offer mentoring support for FE teachers through the Teacher Mentoring Programme (TMP). TMP seeks to embed a mentoring culture within Further Education (FE), where experienced peers act as vital support for new staff, often coming from industry backgrounds without teaching experience. The programme aims to provide at least 600 mentoring places to support 1,800 FE early career teachers by 31st March 2025.
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