Ofsted has rated UCL’s delivery of the Early Career Framework (ECF) programme as ‘Outstanding’. This encompasses the quality of professional development and training, leadership, management, and overall effectiveness, reaffirming UCL’s commitment to excellence in education underpinned by world-leading research.

This is the second full inspection by Ofsted since the UCL Institute of Education (IOE) was appointed as a lead provider by the UK government Department for Education (DfE).

The ECF programme provides professional learning for early career teachers (ECTs) and their mentors in schools across England. To deliver this, UCL works through close partnership with 22 delivery partners, who are Teaching School Hubs, education partnerships and school alliances across England from Durham to Dorset.

Now in its fourth year, UCL’s ECF programme has supported over 21,500 early career teachers, with nearly 9,000 currently participating in the programme. Teachers at the beginning of their careers engage with research-informed, inspiring and contextualised professional learning to develop their professionalism and excellent teaching practices, which in turn leads to high-quality student learning. These teachers are supported by mentors participating in their own development programme as part of the ECF.

Key findings from the latest Ofsted report highlight features such as: 

  • Personalised support: ECTs benefit from an exceptionally high-quality programme that considers their prior knowledge and precisely meets their phase and subject needs. Small cluster groups, led by expert facilitators, and thoughtful relationships with mentors are highly impactful.
  • Wellbeing charter: The programme includes a wellbeing charter that focuses on pragmatic ways to balance workload, helping participants manage the realities of teaching successfully.
  • Professional development: ECTs develop highly attuned self-reflection skills, supporting them to take responsibility for their own professional development. They confidently apply their learning and strive for excellence in their teaching to positively impact student outcomes.
  • Collaborative and contextualised: The collaborative, locally contextualised delivery model is a standout feature. UCL has developed an impressive professional development offer for its delivery partners, programme facilitators, and mentors.
  • Recently, ECTs have shared their personal experiences in ‘The Staffroom’ podcasts, developing everyone’s understanding of inclusive practice. 

The ECF is an integral part of how the UCL Institute of Education supports the full ‘golden thread’ of teacher recruitment and development, from undergraduate and postgraduate education to initial teacher education, and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) for school leaders. This comprehensive approach reinforces UCL’s commitment to ongoing professional growth and excellence in education.

Hilary Adli, Programme Director (Teachers and Leadership Development), commented:

“As the only university-led provider of the ECF, we feel an immense sense of pride in what we have achieved with our school partners. This outcome is testament to IOE, nationwide delivery partners, facilitators and induction tutors who through engaging with our “exceptional”, “research-informed programme”, are ensuring that early career teachers have a strong sense of professional belonging and are thriving and staying in our schools. We are proud to be recognised as having a tangible impact on the sector, its teachers and students.

We are committed to continuing to work creatively alongside our school partners to bring hope for the future of the teaching profession in this country”.

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Mat Wright, for UCL Institute of Education.