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AB Checks

Appropriate Body Checks - Information for schools

Independent quality assurance of statutory induction, through the role of the Appropriate Body, is important for ensuring that schools provide adequate support for their ECTs and that regard is had to the statutory guidance.

Appropriate Bodies (ABs) have two core functions:

Monitoring of Support

  • ABs will check that ECTs are receiving their statutory entitlements, and that schools are adhering to the statutory guidance;
  • ABs will provide fidelity checks, ensuring scholls are supported to provide ECTs with an ECF-based induction.

Monitoring of Assessment

  • ABs will monitor termly progress reviews and formal assessments.
  •  ABs will make the final decision as to whether the ECT has satisfactorily met the Teachers’ Standards, based on the Headteacher’s recommendation
Once an AB has received notification from a Headteachers that they have appointed an ECT who is not currently undergoing induction with that AB, the AB will conduct a number of checks to ensure that the setting is one in which induction may be served and that the school has the requisite support in place. 
Once Induction has begun, the AB will carry out ongoing Quality Assurance checks to ensure ECTs are receiving their full entitlements.
A summary of these checks are provided below.
Pre Induction Checklist
WHAT we check WHY we check it (to ensure that)
The headteacher has provided a suitable post for induction and is aware of their statutory duties towards induction The ECT has the appropriate conditions and opportunities to complete induction
The headteacher has verified that the award of QTS has been made The ECT meets the requirements to commence induction
The ECT is aware of their statutory entitlements, knows who their appropriate body is and is provided with a named contact (or contacts) within the appropriate body with whom to raise concerns The ECT is aware of their statutory entitlements and has appropriate contacts if they need to raise concerns about their induction
The school is providing a reduced timetable in addition to PPA The ECT has sufficient time to engage with the ITTECF-based induction programme; this is also a statutory requirement
The mentor has the ability and sufficient time to carry out their role The mentor has sufficient time to facilitate the support they provide ECTs with during induction
The induction tutor has the ability and sufficient time to carry out their role The induction tutor has sufficient time to facilitate the support they provide ECTs with during induction
The headteacher has confirmed the type of ECF-based induction they are providing The appropriate body can apply the required level of checks to ensure the ECT has access to a high-quality knowledge-based induction
Ongoing Checklist
What we check Why we check (to ensure that)
In the first year of induction, the ECT has a reduced timetable of no more than 90% of the timetable of existing main scale teachers within the school The ECT has sufficient time to engage with the ITTECF-based induction programme
In the second year of induction, the ECT has a reduced timetable of no more than 95% of the timetable of existing main scale teachers within the school The ECT has sufficient time to engage with the ITTECF-based induction programme
An ECTs teaching is observed at regular intervals and has prompt follow up discussion The ECT has fair and effective assessment of their teaching practice, conduct and efficiency against the Teachers Standards
An ECT observes experienced teachers The ECT has appropriate opportunity to observe effective teaching practice
The ECT has access to a structured induction programme based on the ITTECF The ECT has access a high-quality knowledge-based induction
What level of fidelity checking will my school need?
Induction type Induction check required? ECF Fidelity checking required?
School following a provider-led programme Yes No
School following a school-led programme Yes Yes