Progress Reviews, Formal Assessments and Interim Assessments

Professional Progress Reviews

The Induction Tutor is expected to review the ECT’s progress against the Teachers’ Standards throughout the induction period, with progress reviews taking place in each term where a formal assessment is not scheduled.

Progress reviews are expected to be informed by existing evidence of the ECT’s teaching and to be conducted with sufficient detail to ensure that there is nothing unexpected for the ECT when it comes to their formal assessment. ECTs are not expected to create evidence specifically to inform a progress review but are expected to engage with the process and provide copies of the existing evidence as agreed with the Induction Tutor.

Progress reviews will be recorded by the Induction Tutor using the progress review template on ECT Manager - the Induction Tutor will be expected to record whether the ECT is on track to successfully complete induction in terms of making satisfactory progress against the Teachers’ Standards, briefly summarising evidence collected by the Induction Tutor and stating the agreed development targets.

Where the Induction Tutor believes the ECT is not making satisfactory progress it is expected they outline the support plan they have put in place to assist the ECT in getting back on track. Both the Induction Tutor and ECT will be expected to sign off the progress review (with the ECT being able to add comments if they wish) and will have access to the review for their own records. It is recommended that copies are supplied to the Mentor and where an ECT is not on track to the Headteacher also.

The Appropriate Body will monitor progress reviews submitted on ECT Manager to identify any ECTs that may be a cause for concern.

Formal Assessments

ECTs should have formal assessments carried out by the Induction Tutor. ECTs should receive an assessment in the final term of the first year (term 3) and in the final term of the second year of induction (term 6). Evidence used in assessments must be clear and transparent and drawn from the ECT’s work as a teacher during their induction. There is no need for the ECT to create anything new for the formal assessment, they should draw evidence from existing documents and working documents. Judgements made during the induction period should relate directly to the Teachers’ Standards and not be made against the ECF. ECTs should be kept up to date on their progress. There should be nothing unexpected.

Formal assessment reports should be completed for both formal assessments using the formal assessment template on ECT Manager. These reports should clearly show assessment of the ECT’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards at the time of the assessment.

The final assessment meeting is at the end of the induction period, and will form the basis of the Headteacher’s recommendation to the Appropriate Body as to whether, having completed their induction period, the ECT’s performance against the Teachers’ Standards is satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or whether or not an extension should be considered. This recommendation should be recorded on the final assessment form.

The Induction Tutor, ECT and Headteacher will be expected to sign off formal assessments (with the ECT being able to add comments if they wish) and will have access to the assessment for their own records; it is recommended that copies are supplied to the Mentor also. The Appropriate Body will monitor formal assessments submitted on ECT Manager to identify any ECTs that may be a cause for concern.

Interim Assessments

When an ECT leaves a post after completing more than one term in an institution but before the next formal assessment would be required, the Induction Tutor or Headteacher should complete an interim assessment. This should take place before the ECT leaves their post in order to ensure that the ECT’s progress and performance since the last assessment are captured. This is especially important where concerns about progress may have arisen. The information recorded on the interim assessment form will help to ensure that induction can be continued effectively in any subsequent post. This is also required if the ECT leaves during their final term of induction.

ECT Manager

Buckinghamshire Council Appropriate Body uses an online system (ECT Manager) to manage the completion and submission of all progress reviews, formal assessments and interim assessments. Training on this system will be provided by the Appropriate Body for the relevant users early in the academic year. Buckinghamshire Council will advise schools of the deadlines for submission of Progress Reviews and Formal Assessments during the year. ECT Manager will also send a series of reminders to the relevant users in the lead up to these deadlines.

Any issues encountered whilst using ECT Manager can be resolved by contacting Hazel David at hazel.david@buckinghamshire.gov.uk