Welcome

Hello! And a belated happy new (academic) year to you all! As ever, we're off to a running start with introductory conferences for ECTs and mentors, NPQ applications and delivery, and even an NPQ assessment opening next week. Phew!

We hope September has been kind to you so far. Why not take a break with us and read about the MTPT Project, a new guide to the Pupil Premium, and a wellbeing round up?

Keep in touch

Keep in touch
You can follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn, sign up to receive this newsletter - or just drop us an email.

Spotlight on... Registering for the ECT programme

We're getting lots of questions about this, so we thought we'd answer some of the more common ones.

• We've registered our participants on the DfE online service - do we also need to sign up with Ambition Institute?
  • No - this happens automatically when the DfE service detects a partnership between your school and The Julian TSH/Ambition. Your participants will receive an auto-generated email inviting them to complete their profile on the MyECT portal.
• We've definitely registered on DfE, but haven't heard from Ambition - have we forgotten to do something?
  • Probably not! Make sure to check your junk or spam folders; if you still can't find the email, contact us - we will ask Ambition to resend it.
• I've had the email from Ambition, but what about StepLab? I know I need that as well - is it a different system?
  • Yes and no - once you have access to MyECT, you will need to complete a StepLab Access Form. This can be found under the Onboarding and EDI tab on MyECT. When you've completed this form, you'll get access to StepLab within 24 hours.
• Is there training I need to do?
  • Yes, if you're new to the programme. Email us to find out what you need to do (let us know in your email if you're an induction tutor, an ECT, or a mentor). 

We're sending out welcome emails as new registrations come in - these emails contain everything you need to know about the programme, so make sure you file it safely to refer back to.

Don't forget you also need to sign up to an Appropriate Body.

Focus on... NPQs

Applications are open for this year's only cohort of NPQs, which will kick off just after half term. The Julian TSH is accepting applications for the following courses:

• NPQ in Headship
• NPQ in Senior Leadership
• NPQ in Early Years Leadership
• NPQ for SENCOs
• NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture
• NPQ in Leading Literacy
• NPQ in Leading Teaching.

Scroll down to the News feed to find out more about what's on offer, how to apply, and how funding works this year.

Spotlight on... the MTPT Project

This term, the wonderful MTPT Project launches their Cradle to Classroom initiative, providing support to anyone returning from parental leave. 

Emma Sheppard, founder of the MTPT Project, has recorded a briefing on Cradle to Classroom and we encourage you to share this with the appropriate people in your organisation.

Link
Passcode: LJX7.#0c

Thanks to collaboration between several Teaching School Hubs, the Cradle to Classroom programme is FULLY FUNDED in the East of England. Find out more here.

Focus on... the EEF's updated guide to the Pupil Premium

This week, the EEF published an updated, digital version of its Pupil Premium Guide.

The refreshed guide takes leaders step-by-step through the process of developing and refining their Pupil Premium strategy, with content aligned to the Department for Education’s guidance and strategy template.

The guide includes practical tools and resources, including:

• Evidence briefs with links to research aligned to the DfE’s ‘menu of approaches’
• A discussion tool for governors
• Case studies from schools across the country, including Research Schools

The guide is organisation around a five-step process:

1. Diagnose your pupils’ needs
2. Use reliable research evidence to support your strategy
3. Develop your strategy
4. Deliver and monitor your strategy
5. Evaluate and sustain your strategy

Why the Pupil Premium matters

• 2.2 million pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium funding in 2025–26.
• Schools receive £1,515 per primary-aged pupil and £1,075 per secondary-aged pupil.
• By the end of secondary school, the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is 19.2 months.

The Pupil Premium is one of the most powerful tools we have to support disadvantaged pupils to flourish, and this new guide is designed to help schools build and sustain effective, evidence-informed strategies.

Find it here.

Spotlight on... Wellbeing

• Start the school year with some all-important self-care via Action for Happiness and their calendar for September. Self-care is the foundation that helps us show up with more energy, kindness and resilience. Find the calendar here.
• It's (hopefully!) too early in the school year to be worrying about burnout – but we recommend learning the signs and symptoms so you can catch it before it's too late. Find out more (and maybe bookmark for the future!). 
• The Mental Health Foundation has a new guide to mindfulness: learn how practising mindfulness can support good mental health. Read the guide here.
• Norfolk and Waveney Mind has released its calendar of socials for October – December: "You do not need to be registered with NHS Norfolk and Waveney Talking Therapies, just turn up at one of our socials where one of our friendly Community Team will welcome you in. Whether it’s a coastal or town walk, café meet up or D&D session, we’d love to meet you!" Find the calendar here.