All schools that offer a statutory induction are required to have an Appropriate Body (AB) for their Early Career Teachers (ECTs). An ECT cannot begin their statutory induction until they have been registered with an AB. As well as ensuring that ECTs receive their statutory entitlements, Appropriate Bodies will ensure that the statutory guidance is followed and that ECTs are fairly and consistently assessed against the Teachers’ Standards. ABs also check that ECTs are receiving a programme of support and training based on the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF).

Following the reform of AB services, from 2024-25. Local Authorities are not permitted to take on new ECTs, and from August 2024 the AB role is provided exclusively by Teaching School Hubs, like Pathfinder Teaching School Hub. Pathfinder can provide Appropriate Body Services for schools following either of the routes that schools can access for an ITTECF-based induction. The DfE preference, and AB recommendation, is that schools follow a fully-funded training provider induction programme using a lead provider, for their ECTs. In line with this, Pathfinder Teaching School Hub uses Ambition Institute’s ECT Programme.

Please ensure that you have read and understood the statutory guidance on Induction for early career teachers. From September 2023, this includes the requirement to ensure “ECT and mentor sessions are expected to be timetabled during teaching hours. In exceptional circumstances however, where schools require flexibility due to timetabling constraints, mentoring may take place outside of teaching hours but should always be scheduled within contracted time (see para 2.44).” Please bear this in mind when arranging your ECT and Mentor timetables.

The core section of Pathfinder’s AB services across all ITTECF-based induction routes includes:
◼ Providing a ‘named contact’ within the AB for questions and concerns.
◼ Providing access to ECT Manager, the online platform to manage and record AB Services, reducing administrative burdens for schools.
◼ Providing briefing meetings and guidance for Induction Tutors on making assessments and review writing.
◼ Providing welcome meetings for ECTs in September.
◼ Reviewing termly assessments and providing feedback.
◼ Reviewing annual assessments and providing feedback.
◼ Signing off successful completion of induction.
◼ Considering and agreeing extensions or early/fast track completing of induction where appropriate.
◼ Communicating key information to the TRA about new ECTs, leavers, outcomes of induction, extensions etc.
◼ Telephone and email support for queries.
◼ Visits and meetings if additional support is required.
◼ Quality assurance visits to a sample of schools annually.

In addition to the above, schools that choose an alternative to the fully funded provider-led route will have additional quality assurance and fidelity checks. These schools have greater responsibilities on them to ensure they are providing an appropriate ECF-based induction. If you are considering pursuing an alternative to the fully funded provider-led route, please contact us so we can discuss these additional responsibilities with you.

Induction Email Address: induction@tsh.pmat.academy

2026-7 Charges for Appropriate Body Services