Next steps for initial teacher education in England

Description

I am writing to invite you to speak at the above seminar, which will focus on next steps for initial teacher training in England.

The conference is being organised to provide stakeholders and policymakers with an opportunity to examine the implementation of the combined Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework and the Early Career Teacher Entitlement. Attendees will consider the aims of the combined framework, including improving flexibility, reducing workload burdens for mentors and trainees, and ensuring effective progression for new teachers. There will also be considerations for the potential impact of broadening the curriculum to include new SEND core content and preparing for the rollout of the ECTE, including its two-year programme of support and training.

Planned sessions will assess priorities for the Early Career Framework and NPQ review due to be carried out by 2027, as well as the appointment of the NPQ expert review panel. Areas for discussion include implementation of an evidence-informed approach to the review, as well as implications of possible outcomes and strategic options for effectively moving forward aims to support workload reduction, progression through leadership levels, and improved SEND teaching and resources moving forward.

Further planned discussion will look at priorities for improving the recruitment and retention of trainee teachers in line with the Government’s aim to recruit 6,500 expert teachers into the sector. Delegates will look at the findings of the 2022 ITT market review and the effectiveness of financial incentives and targeted support in improving ITT outcomes, as well as strategies to address regional disparities and ensure equitable access to training and recruitment opportunities across England.

The impartial timely policy seminars organised by the Westminster Education Forum have a strong record of bringing together at a senior level the key perspectives with an interest in the issues discussed, and structuring discussions which are of real practical value to those who take part in them. Our conferences are frequently the platform for major policy statements from Ministers, regulators, government officials, opposition speakers, and senior opinion formers in industry and interest groups, which receive prominent coverage in the national and specialist media.

We are pleased that Emma Hubball, Deputy Director, Teacher and Leader Development, Department for Education and Reuben Moore, Executive Director, Programmes, National Institute of Teaching, have agreed to deliver keynote addresses at this seminar. Further speakers are being approached.

As is typical of our meetings, we expect further speakers and other delegates to be an informed group comprised of Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government and regulatory officials in this area of public policy, together with teacher training providers and universities, remote learning providers, schools and teaching professionals, subject associations and professional bodies, representatives of trade unions and advocacy groups, local government representatives and those with an interest in geographic inequalities, groups representing parents and students, academics and commentators, think tanks, and others with an interest in the issues.

The conference will take place on the 25th April 2025.

Period	25 Apr 2025
Held at	Westminster Forum Projects, United Kingdom
Degree of Recognition	National