Appropriate Body Services

"The appropriate body has fully supported our implementation of best ECT practice, adapting paperwork and approaches to reflect realistic workloads and a strong understanding of the profession. Their support has extended beyond ECTs to mentors and induction leads, with face-to-face visits and ongoing dialogue providing valuable guidance and a sense of being valued as practitioners." 

Susie Desouza, DHT and Induction Tutor, Stanley Park Infants School, Carshalton

"The support our trust receives from the AB Lead and the wider team is invaluable to all stakeholders."

 

 

 

Tony Parfett, CEO of Catalyst Academies Trust, Essex

 

"The support and practical guidance we have had from the Appropriate Body when dealing with an ECT in challenging circumstances has been excellent. The AB lead has always been available to answer questions and offer support. The AB has also listened to stakeholders and made sensible adaptations on the basis of this feedback, which is much appreciated. Communication is clear and received in a timely way."

Phil Parkin, Assistant Headteacher and Induction Tutor, The Billericay School, Essex 

“I have been extremely impressed with the support and services provided by Harris Federation as our Appropriate Body. The clarity, consistency and high-quality guidance they offer ensures statutory requirements are met, while keeping professional development at the heart of the process. Their structured approach, and responsive support gives our ECTs the strong foundations they need, equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and skills for a successful and sustainable career in teaching.” 

Sue Jackson, MAT CEO and Headteacher, Lee Chapel MAT, Essex

"The AB provides the school with effective assistance, clear communication and a structured framework that supports both the ECT and the school."

 

  

 

Lee Walker, Executive Headteacher, Chadwell primary and Goodmayes primary

"Efficient, effective and always available - the Harris Institute Appropriate Body team enhances our capacity to lead high-quality ECT development"

 

 

 

Sarah Sawtell, Head of School, The Lammas School, London E10

• Expert compliance and guidance provides peace of mind – ensuring all statutory requirements are met.
• Efficient systems and time saved – streamlined processes, access to appropriate body templates and access to our online platform, ECT Manager reduces administrative workload.
• Dedicated support for all involved in induction – dedicated AB phone line and AB email address; monthly newsletter; resources and guidance; school visits provide constructive and supportive feedback; and personalised advice for induction tutors, mentors, and ECTs.
• Rigorous quality assurance – fair, transparent, and consistent processes.
• Flexible professional development opportunities – termly live and recorded webinars and walk-throughs, and one-to-one with those new to induction.
• Early intervention – regular monitoring and support ensure ECTs stay on track. We support communications with external bodies including Unions and HR.  
• Support and guidance for all ECTs including part-time and those on maternity leave – support is tailored to the context of all schools and ECTs.
• Local partnerships enhance our support in North East London, Essex and South London – delivery partners bring local knowledge and expertise.
• National and regional AB network – we share best practice, stay ahead of policy changes, and draw on collective experience to provide consistent, high-quality support for schools and early career teachers.

Our Appropriate Body (AB) team provide a fair and independent quality assurance service for school inductions.

Mark Beyer-Woodgate, Harris Institute Senior Director & Harris Institute Teaching School Hubs.

Mark is the named person for Appropriate Body services and oversees this division. As Designated Safeguarding Lead, all ECTs and schools have direct access to Mark's support and can raise concerns at any time. All disclosures and complaints about induction will be investigated thoroughly and sensitively and a resolution achieved. The AB contacts will only take action once a concern has first been raised with the school and both parties have been unable to reach a resolution. Mark chairs panels for the National AB Peer Review,  Reduced Inductions, Extended Inductions, Risks of Failure and Appeals. Mark is also is a member of the London and East of England AB networks, engages and oversees local delivery partners and reports to the DfE on AB policy and implementation of the statutory guidance.  For more information please visit Mark's full profile here: https://www.harrisinstitute.org.uk/18/meet-our-team-1/person/2/mark-beyer-woodgate. To contact Mark please email: Mark.BeyerWoodgate@harrisinstitute.org.uk. 

Our Regional AB Lead, Kate Castro-Martin, is responsible for leading the strategic direction and operational management of the AB  service across all our TSH regions. Kate oversees AB delivery partners, AB reviewers, and the AB administration team. She is the main point of contact from onboarding to completing induction and leads our quality assurance function, visiting schools, providing training, and advising on panels regarding struggling ECTs.

Our AB Coordinator, Melanie Jones, is responsible for tracking ECT progress; managing our online platform, ECT Manager; quality assuring our marketing, events and communications, including our weekly bulletins; reporting to the Teacher Regulation Agency; and liaising with school business partners on SLAs and invoices.

Our AB administrator, Sophie Bannister, is responsible for school registrations and onboarding, responding to ECT Manager help desk tickets, and general communications with schools.

Our Director of Teacher Development, Natasha Evans, is an experienced AB leader and manages any conflicts of interest with appeals panels for failing ECTs, or reviews for reduced or extended inductions.

Our AB Delivery Partners, Catalyst Academy Trust, Seven Kings High School, Redbridge Local Authority and Waltham Forest Local Authority provide localised school support and monitoring of Induction, review ECT reports, provide feedback, and manage ECTs on support plans.

Andrea Parfett, Appropriate Body Lead at Catalyst Academies Trust, Thurrock on behalf of Chafford Hundred Teaching School Hub

Chris D'Netto, Appropriate Body Lead at Seven Kings High School, Redbridge on behalf of North East London Chobham Teaching School Hub

Sylvia Harper, ECT Coordinator at Waltham Forest Local Authority on behalf of North East London Chobham Teaching School Hub 

We're always here to help! For general Appropriate Body Administrative enquiries or support with ECT Manager, please reach out to us:

Email:  AB@HarrisInstitute.org.uk

Tel:      01375 484582