Milton Keynes local authority (LA) has 111 schools and an average of 180 newly qualified teachers (NQTs) undertaking induction in an academic year.

Following a General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) NQT hearing, monitoring procedures that ensure schools provide an appropriate programme of support, assessment and guidance for NQTS were revised.

The establishment of a LA panel was a significant step. The panel monitors termly assessment forms and is comprised of at least two School Improvement Division officers/advisers, one of whom is the NQT induction officer. 12 primary headteachers and secondary school induction managers were invited to join termly panel meetings and at least half attend each meeting. Union representatives are also invited.

The panel meets in January, early in the summer term and, if necessary, in August to review the returned assessment forms for quality assurance purposes. If a NQT is deemed as ‘may not be able to meet the requirements’ during the first or second assessment period then the panel scrutinizes the evidence the school has provided to support its judgement such as observations and support programme details.

The panel are asked to consider the following points:

• Have the statutory requirements for the process of induction been followed?
• Is the information about qualified teacher status and induction/core standards clear?
• Is there evidence that there has been a structured programme of support?
• Is there evidence of a planned, structured programme of support that should enable the NQT to meet the requirements for the satisfactory completion of the induction period?
• Other relevant comments
• Factors relating to agreement (or otherwise) with school judgement
• Do we feel that the NQT has had a genuine opportunity to raise concerns?

A discussion follows about each of the NQTs. Letters are sent on behalf of the LA to the school and NQT either agreeing or disagreeing with the judgement, with an explanation of the judgement and the way forward in each case. Whatever the panel’s decision, the LA keeps a watching brief through the work of the induction officer which normally includes attending the half-termly professional review meetings.

Since the revision of our procedures in 2003 13 NQTs have been deemed at some stage of induction as ‘may not be able to meet the requirements.’ The monitoring role of the LA panel and subsequent targeted support has meant these teachers have either gone on to complete their induction period successfully or have been helped to reach a decision about their careers before failing to complete induction.

If you would like to discuss anything further about the Milton Keynes NQT assessment panel, including letter proformas, contact Clive Pepper, the LA Induction Coordinator for Milton Keynes at clive.pepper@milton-keynes.gov.uk  or call 01908 253539.

Whether you are an induction coordinator or not, if you would like to contribute items or articles related to the effective practice of induction for future editions, please contact Richard Barrett (richard.barrett@tda.gov.uk).

View more tdaNews for October 2007