The government has announced a one-year funding package for up to 3,000 new teachers, in response to disruption caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Teachers working outside of areas trialling the new Early Career Framework (ECF) will receive a “one-year funded offer of support” after training courses were disrupted by the pandemic, the Department for Education (DfE) has said.

The new funding will be available from this autumn - but the DfE is yet to confirm the exact amount.

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Meanwhile, trials of the ECF will start next term as planned, with participating schools receiving £2,200 for every teacher on the second year of the induction.

The programme will be launched in the North East, Bradford, Doncaster and Greater Manchester in autumn 2020, ahead of a national introduction in 2021.

Up to 2,000 new teachers in these areas will receive additional training and one-to-one mentor sessions in the first two years after qualifying.

The extra funds for those teachers not participating in the pilot will be focused on disadvantaged areas, the DfE added.

The news comes after schools minister Nick Gibb revealed the number of teacher training applications is up 12 per cent since the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Gibb said: “It is encouraging to see a major increase in the number of applications to join the teaching profession over the last few months.

“The Early Career Framework is at the heart of this government’s drive to raise school standards, which is why we are making a commitment to continue with our reforms to teacher training this autumn.

“All those entering the classroom for the first time this September can be reassured they will receive high-quality training based on the best available evidence and research, helping to increase retention and ensure newly qualified teachers are better prepared for the challenges and rewards of teaching.”

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We welcome the decision to press ahead with the rollout of the Early Career Framework at a time of uncertainty caused by the coronavirus emergency and the subsequent disruption to teacher training programmes.

“The Early Career Framework is an important step in giving more support to new teachers and thereby improving the retention rate: it is one of the keys to solving teacher shortages.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, added: “Today’s announcement that government intends to move forward with the Early Career Framework is good news for the profession - this is an essential first step towards securing necessary career-long professional development to help retain teachers and leaders. 

“The impact of Covid-19 continues to create extraordinary challenges for new and experienced staff alike; we, therefore, welcome today’s extension of support for new teachers beyond the rollout areas, and the announcement that Early Career Framework materials will be made freely available to all schools supporting NQTs in the autumn.”