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Introduction to
​the SWIFT
Early Career Framework

Early Career Framework (ECF)

The Early Career Framework (ECF) came into effect in September 2021. It represents a significant change in support for Early Career Teachers (ECTs), providing a funded entitlement to a structured 2-year package of high-quality professional development and mentoring. The Early Career Framework is the evidence base which underpins this new entitlement for ECTs, setting out what all early career teachers should learn about, and learn how to do, during the first two years of their careers. 
Please use the above registration link for any new ECTs joining your school in the Autumn 2023 term.

​​For more information or assistance regarding our ECF programme or registering ECTs, please email ecf@sw-ift.org.uk.

Our ECF Programme

The SWIFT Early Career Framework provides both ECTs and their mentors with a fully funded, two-year training programme. Underpinned by a world class curriculum that has been designed by our national partners Teach First, our programme also offers ECTs, mentors and their schools access to a range of additional unique SWIFT training, development and networking opportunities.

Why choose the SWIFT ECF Programme?

Since September 2021, around 1500 ECTs and Mentors from across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay have begun their ECF journey with SWIFT and we are delighted to report that our provision has consistently been rated significantly above the national average by our programme members across the academic years 2021-2 and 2022-3. 
Core Benefits of the SWIFT – Teach First ECF Programme
  • A fully-funded, two-year high quality ECF training programme provided by Teach First. Designed by leading national experts it offers a world-class curriculum that is underpinned by the practices that evidence suggests have the most transformative impact on student outcomes.
  • The second year of the Teach First programme is unique in that it is delivered from a subject and phase-specific perspective.
  • A full Mentor training programme, structured around Instructional Coaching and deliberate practice;
  • ECTs, Mentors and ECF Senior Leaders will have access to a supporting online learning platform, which provides access to the latest evidence-based pedagogical research. The platform also includes an additional Leadership enrichment series for all Year 2 ECTs.
  • Schools undertaking their ECF programme with SWIFT receive an additional payment of £1600 per Mentor from the DfE to support Mentor development.
  • Unlike other ECF routes, the SWIFT-Teach First ECF programme it is not subject to inspection by an Appropriate Body as it has already been quality assured by the DfE.
  • Free membership of the Chartered College of Teaching exclusive to all SWIFT ECF programme members.
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SWIFT ECF Programme Enhancements
  • Delivered by local expert practitioners that understand the context of your schools.
  • SWIFT SEND enhancements to core Teach First material and additional SEND drop-in clinics.
  • Termly networking and training webinar for ECF Leads.
  • Free access to SWIFT Leadership and Curriculum Forums for ECF Leads
  • Free access for all ECTs, mentors, ECF Leads and wider staff bodies to our “ECF Extra!” enrichment programme. Across 2022-3, this included sessions on anti-racism education, improving provision for disadvantaged students, managing complex behaviour needs and developing effective parental engagement strategies.
  • Additional CPD offers for ECTs and schools. For example, in Spring 2023, SWIFT purchased 100 tickets for SWIFT ECTs to attend free of charge DiverseEd’s DEI Virtual Conference for ECTs;
  • Free access for ECTs and mentors to SWIFT’s subject-based Professional Communities, which include:
          Termly Events with Compelling Agendas
          Expert Speakers
          Expert Facilitation and Support
          Focus on Core Business
  • The programme begins with an inspiring face-to-face induction day for ECTs and mentors;
  • Additional enrichment video exemplification to compliment Teach First’s unique Year 2 subject-specific curriculum;
  • Greater flexibility through high-quality interactive video catch-up for seminars;
  • Strong ongoing support and communication for ECTs, Mentors and SLT leads, including our weekly SWIFT ECF Newsletters, half-termly video bulletins and our annual calendar for ECF Leads so they can easily track ECF activity for Year 1 and Year 2 ECTs and mentors. 
SWIFT MAT Benefits
Please contact ecf@sw-ift.org.uk to find out how we can customise the ECF programme to your MAT requirements.

Testimonials

SWIFT Early Career Framework Programme & 
Appropriate Body Service 

For further information or general enquiries, please email ecf@sw-ift.org.uk