Successful completion of an induction programme is a statutory requirement for a teacher with qualified teacher status (QTS) to continue teaching in a maintained school or nursery, a non-maintained special school or pupil referral unit, subject to certain exceptions (as set out in regulations).
During the induction period an NQT must receive: 1) A reduced timetable (in addition to statutory 10 per cent planning, preparation and assessment time) 2) Adequate support – the statutory induction guidance suggests all NQTs should have:
- a designated induction tutor
- a personalised programme of professional development activities including regular observations and feedback
- regular reviews of progress towards meeting the core standards
- a named contact outside school or college with whom they can discuss concerns that go beyond the school/college, or are not addressed internally; this contact will normally be someone within the local authority or the Independent Schools Council Teacher Induction Panel (ISCtip) who is not directly involved in monitoring or supporting the NQT, or in making decisions about satisfactory completion of induction.
Regulations make it clear that an NQT's duties, supervision, and the conditions under which they work must enable there to be a fair and effective assessment of their conduct and efficiency as a teacher. An important element of this is ensuring that their post is suitable for induction. A suitable post is one which provides them with the tasks, experience and support that will enable them to meet the core standards, and which doesn’t make unreasonable demands.
These guidelines assume that the NQT is full-time in an institution operating a three-term year and begins induction at the start of a term. The regulations provide for NQTs in non-standard circumstances, or with different work patterns, to serve a period equivalent to three terms.
For guidance on how to determine the length of the induction period consult the statutory guidance (paragraphs 2.42–2.53) or contact your appropriate body.
You can also use our induction calculator (Excel, 30KB).
To determine the length of induction refer to popular questions about induction.
Further information
Statutory guidance on induction for NQTs in England (PDF, 317KB) – Department for Education (DfE) website.
The Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (England) Regulations 2008 – OPSI website.