There will be no minimum experience required for early career mentors - besides being qualified teachers, new guidance indicates.
Earlier this week, the head of the government’s controversial initial teacher training (ITT) market review warned that providing mentoring is “not necessarily” the “right role” for teachers early on in their career.
But in new guidance for schools, which will be required to implement the Early Career Framework (ECF) reforms from September 2021, the Department for Education does not set out minimum experience expectations for mentors - apart from holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
ITT review: Newer teachers may not be ‘right’ mentors
Teacher training: ‘Huge concerns’ over post-Covid school mentor shortage
Covid: Teacher trainers’ concern over mentor quality
The guidance states: “The headteacher/principal should identify a person to act as the ECT’s [early career teacher’s] mentor, to provide regular mentoring.
“The mentor is expected to hold QTS and have the necessary skills and knowledge to work successfully in this role.
Early Career Framework: No minimum experience for teacher mentors
“Mentoring is a very important element of the induction process and the mentor is expected to be given adequate time to carry out the role effectively and to meet the needs of the ECT. This includes attending regular mentoring sessions and mentor training where appropriate.”
Speaking at a webinar launching a new report from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) on the teacher labour market on Monday, Ian Bauckham, chief executive of the Tenax Schools Trust, acting chair of Ofqual and chair of Oak National Academy, said: “It isn’t good enough simply to say, ‘You’ve been teaching for a couple of years, you know a little bit about teaching now after two years - you could be this person’s mentor.
“I mean, I am caricaturing here a little bit to make a point, but it is really important that mentoring is taken very seriously, and the investment is made in the preparation and training of mentors if ITT is going to be successful.”
Schools minister Nick Gibb said: “All pupils should have the opportunity to be taught by great teachers, which can only be possible if new staff can access high-quality training and development opportunities when they begin their career.
“The reforms to the Early Career Framework, which will now be required from September, will ensure that these teachers benefit from structured support, mentoring and the latest training - developed from the best evidence on what works in the classroom.
“Quality of education is fundamental to our plans for helping young people recover from time out of the classroom, and giving trainee teachers access to the tools and support they need will be crucial in ensuring pupils truly are receiving the best possible education in the years to come.”
