Useful Information for ECTs

What are the hallmarks of a teacher who has trained to teach through the University of Nottingham Partnership?

This is a summary of your training experience detailing the hallmarks of a beginning teacher who has trained at the University of Nottingham. This document is sent to the head teachers at all schools employing our alumni so they can understand your starting point and the experiences you have had over the year. It would be sensible to share this with your ECT induction tutor and mentor and use it as a starting point for a discussion about what you are bringing to your new post.

Hallmarks of a University of Nottingham primary teacher (PDF)

Hallmarks of a University of Nottingham secondary teacher (PDF)

The University of Nottingham approach to behaviour management across all our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes

Experience tells us that, as an ECT, you will be focusing on behaviour management during the early days of your induction year, especially if you are working in a new context, and so we have developed an overview of our approach to behaviour management. This will remind you of the philosophy which underpinned the training you have already received and upon which you can build. 

Remember that you will be ‘starting from scratch’ again in terms of building relationships with pupils and, depending on your context, establishing yourself as a teacher in your employing school. It is important to invest time into thinking about how you wish to manage your classes from the outset, the culture you wish to create in your classroom and the ground rules you wish pupils to understand. Look back at teaching sessions and resources on behaviour for learning that we shared with you. Discuss each class you will be teaching with experienced teachers and identify approaches you may need to personalise for particular classes or pupils. Remember you are not alone in needing to prioritise behaviour for learning – there are many books and useful websites that would be worth exploring for ideas and strategies.

University of Nottingham ITE approach to behaviour (PDF)

Reminders for your early days in your new school

We thought it might be helpful to list a few ideas around what to do in your early days in school in order to be fully prepared and to support you in settling into your new role quickly.

Reminders for your early days in your new school (PDF)

Golden nuggets of guidance for your ECT year from your University of Nottingham tutors (PDF)

Beginning teacher wellbeing and resilience

Taking care of yourself is key to successful ECT years; this document provides a few hints and tips on things you can do to promote your own health, wellbeing and continued development over the coming year.

ECT wellbeing and resilience (PDF)

Professional Development opportunities with the University of Nottingham

We would like you to stay in touch with the University in your ECT years and beyond. Through our Partnership Gateway you can find out about different communities you can join and events you can attend that all offer free continuing professional development and an opportunity to develop relationships and networks with teachers working across the local region.

Masters Degrees

If you are interested in continuing your studies you could consider one of our masters degrees. In particular, we have a growing number of alumni who continue on to our MA Education programme and find it is a key way of continuing to develop as a teacher. For more information visit our website. 

Remember if you have successfully completed your PGCE (achieving over 50 in both modules) then you already have 60 masters credits.

Useful organisations to join

Remember you are part of a teaching community. The more you make the most out of that community, the more you will flourish as a teacher.

Make sure you join:

• relevant subject associations
• a teaching union
• The Chartered College of Teaching