Subject/Class Mentor

Headteachers employing ECTs are required to identify a person to act as the ECT’s mentor. The mentor is expected to:

• hold QTS;
• possess the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to provide expert mentoring;
• be provided with adequate time to provide regular mentoring and to meet the needs of the ECT.

Mentoring sessions with ECTs are expected to be timetabled during teaching hours as schools receive funding to cover any time off timetable. The Headteacher and the Appropriate Body are expected to ensure that mentors are given sufficient time to undertake the role of mentor effectively and meet the needs of their ECTs.

In exceptional circumstances, for example where schools require greater flexibility due to timetabling or staffing constraints, mentoring may take place outside of teaching hours, but should always be scheduled within contracted time.

In order to carry out their role effectively, and if any concerns around mentoring time have been raised, the Appropriate Body may request to see mentor and/or teaching timetables as part of school visits or ECF fidelity checks.