SWIFT Launches New Early Career Teacher Programme

This September, the SWIFT Teaching School Hub Team is thrilled to unveil its brand-new Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP), marking a transformative moment in teacher induction and professional development across the South West. 

In partnership with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), this innovative programme launches after months of dedicated research, planning, and collaboration and reflects a bold step forward in supporting Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and their Mentors with a curriculum that is rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of schools.

A New Era for Early Career Teacher Development
Only five years ago, Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) completed a one-year induction with limited structured training. That changed in 2020 with the introduction of pilot ECF programmes and SWIFT was proud to be among the first delivery partners. Since then, SWIFT has played a role in shaping national policy, offering feedback to lead providers and the Department for Education (DfE) to ensure programmes truly meet the needs of schools and educators.
 
Now, the new Early Career Teacher Programme (ECTP) aligns with the updated Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF), offering a carefully sequenced curriculum that supports ECTs in mastering:

• High expectations and pupil progress
• Subject and curriculum expertise
• Effective lesson planning and delivery
• Inclusive teaching strategies
• Assessment and behaviour management
• Wider professional responsibilities

What Sets the SWIFT-NIoT ECTP Apart?
This is not only a refresh, but it is also a reimagining of how we support new teachers and key enhancements include:

• Reduced Mentor Workload
  Recognising the demands on Mentors, the Programme now streamlines their involvement to one year, allowing for more focused and sustainable support.
• Enhanced SEND Support
  With deeper exemplification for SEND and alternative provision settings, SWIFT has also commissioned a local SEND expert to lead a dedicated Year 1 cohort, bringing regional insight directly into the training.
• Contextualised, Subject-Specific Content
  Real classroom examples from diverse schools and subjects make the learning tangible. ECTs and Mentors benefit from video, audio, and written materials that are accessible and tailored to their needs.
• National Expert Webinars
  Termly webinars offer direct access to sector leaders, giving ECTs the chance to explore key teaching practices and ask questions in real time.
• Evidence-Based and Locally Informed
  With NIoT’s in-house research team and SWIFT’s close involvement in research studies, the programme is built on the latest evidence and shaped by the realities of local schools.

Voices from the SWIFT Teaching School Hub

Fiona McNeile, Teaching School Hub Manager
"We move into the new academic year with a richer and more rigorous programme offer for ECTs and Mentors. We’re extremely proud to provide this opportunity to our local schools." 

Jen Knowles, Teaching School Hub Director 
“The significance of the change is huge. The removal of repetition and the inclusion of real teaching exemplification from EYFS to KS5 is incredibly exciting. We’re especially proud to see Devon and South West schools featured in the materials.”
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Report by Fiona McNeile, SWIFT Teaching School Hub Manager

More Information about the ECTP

SWIFT Early Career Teacher Programme

Contact the swift ectp Team here

The National Institute of Teaching Early Career Teacher programme