ECT quality assurance

Here is the Ealing quality assurance (QA) process:

A school is likely to be chosen for quality assurance if:

• No QA process took place in the last three years
• The headteacher and ECT lead are new to the role
• There is a high number of ECT's or ECT's qualified through a quicker route such as assessment only
• serious issues with ECT procedures were identified in the previous academic year or the school is in the requires improvement Ofsted category
• Low retention of ECTs
• High rate of retention or where excellent practices are identified

Special circumstances when the QA may take place includes cases when a school:

• has requested reduction of the induction for an ECT
• has an ECT at risk, on an extension or raises concerns about their induction
• is judged as inadequate by Ofsted but needs to fill vacancies
• has capacity issues that affect ECT induction

Ealing quality assurance process of ECT's involves:

Documentation sampling evidence:

• School's ECT induction policy
• Evidence of the ECF programme
• ECT timetables
• Support provided for mentors
• Action plans/ individualised programmes for each ECT
• Progress review records via ECT manager
• Dates of weekly mentor - ECT meetings
• Observation of ECT's teaching - notes with feedback
• QA self-evaluation completed by headteacher

During the QA visit

• Interview with the headteacher and lead for ECT induction and where possible chair of governors/ GB rep
• Interview with mntors and induction tutprs
• interview with ECTs
• Looking at the evidence, where possibe conduct a learning walk in the classroom of ECTs

In special circumstances

• Monitoring visit where there are concerns or ECT extension
• A school judged inadequate by Ofsted but needs to fill vacancies. Report will be shared with HMI
• A school has capacity issues that affect ECT induction
• If necessary, when considering a reduction
• Notes of the visit will be provided after the meeting

Concluding the QA process

If the AB is satisfied with the evidence

• The AB will issue a summary report within 20 days highlighting good practice and providing suggestions and recommendations where necessary
• The school will be encouraged to share their good practice with other schools via ECT events, ECT manager and case studies.
• Support will be offered in needed.
• If the AB is not satisfied with the evidence provided by the school, it will request additional evidence.

If the AB is not satisfied with the evidence

• The AB will request a school visit to explore evidence and reach a conclusion regarding induction process, highlight where there is good practice as well as identify areas for improvement and school's needs for support from AB
• The visit will help safeguard the school from challenges nd problems that can arise as a result of incomplete processes
• If there are concerns / areas for development, the AB and headteacher will agree a follow up visit for the next terms.