Support for new teachers
The unique start to the autumn term this year has brought many challenges, and we know that can be daunting for those new to the profession. Here are some resources we think will support new teachers as they take the first steps into their new careers.
- We know nearly everyone who has just started their teaching careers this September would have had a disrupted ITT experience. That’s why we’ve published the Early Career Framework (ECF) core induction programmes a year ahead of schedule. These high-quality development materials can be used in a variety of different ways to help support your learning and professional development over the coming academic year. For more information, visit GOV.UK.
- We’ve gathered together helpful information and tips into a one-page guide for new teachers. From where to find the latest guidance to looking after your own wellbeing, this guide has been developed to help new teachers get the support they need in their first few weeks. Click here to download it.
The DfE’s teaching blog features a number of pieces from both NQTs and teachers/school leaders with more experience that are aimed at supporting those early in their career. From top tips for your first term to the extra support available to NQTs in these challenging times, you can read them all on GOV.UK.
Package of support for remote education
We have published a new package of support designed to help schools and colleges build on and deliver their existing plans in the event of local restrictions or pupils self-isolating.
This support has been co-designed with schools and includes a range of school-led webinars and development resources intended to share good practice. It also includes an additional 100,000 laptops and tablets for disadvantaged children and over £1m of additional funding for expanding the EdTech Demonstrator programme.
Schools, FE providers and teachers will be able to access a new central support hub, where resources and information on remote education will be housed.
This support package comes as the Government publishes a Temporary Continuity Direction setting a clear expectation on the high-quality remote education students should receive if they have to stay home. This is not an additional ask on schools, it simply confirms in law what was set out in the guidance published in July.
Read more about the announcement on GOV.UK.
Click here to check out the resources available.
Letter for parents about COVID-19 symptoms
Public Health England have produced a letter for schools to distribute to parents which explains when a person requires a coronavirus test and what the main symptoms of coronavirus are. The Department would be grateful if you could share and circulate this letter amongst parents at your school.
The intention of the letter is to support both teachers and parents in answering some of the questions parents may have around testing. We’ve also created two images detailing the main coronavirus symptoms that you can use on your school’s website, newsletters or social media channels. Access the images here and here and right click/long tap to save.
Further support for schools
We know this has been a challenging time for everyone working in education and we see the incredible work that’s gone into getting all students back to school. Here are a few announcements you may have missed that we hope will ease the load:
- Sign up for online teacher workload reduction events – reducing teacher workload in such demanding times may sound like an impossibility. But these live events will showcase how schools across the country achieved reductions and increased teacher wellbeing as a result, over 2019-20. You will hear from Ofsted on their expectations as well as school leaders on their work reducing workload in primary, secondary and special schools:
- We have launched a new online platform to inspire children to get active – hosted on YouTube, the platform will feature inspiring videos and resources for schools to help staff safely offer 30 active minutes in a COVID-secure environment. It will feature videos from Sport England and the Royal Marines as well as schools and young leaders across the country sharing best practice on how to incorporate being active into lessons, break-times and travel times. Click here to check it out.
We have launched a new RSHE web page for teachers to support you in meeting the new statutory requirements for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), bringing together all the information you need to teach the new RSHE curriculum. This includes practical guidance to support curriculum planning and implementation, as well as 9 new RSHE teacher training modules to support teaching across a range of topic areas including online safety and respectful relationships. Visit the new RSHE web page on GOV.UK.
Congratulations to the Teaching Award silver winners!
To thank teachers for their incredible achievements, we are supporting the Teaching Awards and sponsoring two awards in 2020 – you can see a list of the winners by clicking here. We congratulate all of the winners and you can read about the impact of winning an award by previous silver winner, Charlotte, by clicking here.
Want to show your appreciation for a special teacher? Click here to send a free Thank a Teacher e-card ahead of World Teacher Day on 5th October.
Hear from other teachers
Keep up to date with stories from teachers during the COVID-19 outbreak on our teaching blog.
7 ways we’re maintaining bubbles
Chief Executive of Star Academies, Hamid Patel, shares the protective measures his schools have taken to avoid sending an entire year group home when an outbreak occurs, while ensuring all pupils and staff are safe.
Click here to read Hamid’s blog.
Rising strong after lockdown
Trust Leader, Matt, and Headteacher, Anna, share how their recovery programme has reduced parents’ concerns, created a welcoming environment for pupils and strengthened their community of schools.