Julian Teaching School Hub Parent Portal - The Julian Teaching School Hub Early Career Teachers Programme Newsletter

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Welcome

Hello! And welcome to this first Early Career Teachers Programme (ECTP) newsletter of the year. This newsletter is sent to induction tutors and mentors every half term. If you are no longer responsible for an ECT and wish to unsubscribe, please let us know.

Please read this email carefully: it contains important information.

StepLab reminder

Induction tutors, please remember to enter your school's term dates on StepLab - this will ensure that the programme is paced appropriately for your setting.

Reminder

ECT or mentor staffing changes may affect our delivery to your school of the ECT induction programme. Please ensure that:

You let us know of any changes by completing this form (you will need to complete the form separately for each change you wish to make). You can complete this form at any time throughout the year.
You have updated Manage Training for Early Career Teachers
You have let your Appropriate Body know.

And finally...

If you're interested in taking your career to the next level, you might want to consider an NPQ. Applications are open now, and you can read more about this in the article in the News feed below. Ambiton Institute is running a free NPQ information webinar on Wednesday 1 October, 4:30–5:15pm - register to attend here.

PLEASE READ THE SECTION OF THIS EMAIL THAT CORRESPONDS TO WHEN YOU/YOUR ECT BEGAN THE PROGRAMME.

Please also check out the news items below.

Spotlight on... FAQs

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 asking for 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... ECT and mentor wellbeing

The start of the year is always full-on, and we know we have to keep an eye on our wellbeing. Let's think in particular about new ECTs and mentors who are getting to grips with the ECTP, possibly policies and procedures in a new school, and the usual organised chaos that September brings.

Working with Norfolk Research School, we've put together some resources that might help with CPD and general wellbeing. Find them here.

Spotlight on... What makes a great mentor?

This has been on our minds this week as we've rounded off our introductory mentor conferences – we've loved meeting you all.

Susi reflects on what makes a great mentor in the blog post linked below. Spoiler: you need the support of your school!

September 2025 starters upcoming sessions

Induction tutors

Induction tutor launch: 29 September. 1.30-3pm, online.

You have been invited to book your place on this session.

Mentors

Refresher session for previously trained mentors: 30 September. 3.30-5pm, online.

Relevant mentors have been invited to book onto this session.

ECTs

ECT conference one: 18, 25 September, 2 October. Full day, in person.

You have been sent a link to book your ECT(s) onto this conference.

ECT Clinic 1 takes place just after half term. ECTs will be added to the relevant clinic date and will be sent joining instructions. They can also check their clinic information on MyECT, under 'My Events'.