Fidelity Checking

As part of early career teacher entitlements, schools must provide ECT(s) with a programme of training and support based on the ITTECF. There are two approaches that schools can choose from to enable the delivery of a training programme based on the ITTECF. It is up to the headteacher to choose the approach the best suits the needs of their ECTs and mentors. The approaches are: 

• A funded provider-led programme - Schools can choose to work with providers accredited by DfE who will design and deliver a programme of face-to-face and online training to ECTs and their mentors. This programme is funded by DfE.  
• Schools deliver their own training programme (with the option to use freely available school-led materials and resources) - Schools can choose to develop their own programme of training and support based on the ITTECF. The content of the framework must be covered in full. Schools can choose to use, in full or in part, the freely available school-led materials, which include ready-to-use materials and resources for early career teachers and mentors, to deliver their own ECT and mentor support. These materials have been accredited by DfE and quality assured by the Education Endowment Foundation. 

For delivery from September 2025, school-led materials based on the ITTECF will be provided by National Institute of Teaching and UCL Institute of Education via their own platforms:  

• National Institute of Teaching: Materials for school-led ECT Programme 2025/26 – The National Institute of Teaching  

• UCL Institute of Education: CEL - The Source - Home 

Section 4.4 of Appropriate bodies guidance: induction and the initial teacher training and early career framework states the following: to ease the burden and cost for both schools and appropriate bodies, it is recommended that schools choose a provider-led programme if it is available to them. Please see appropriate body costs section for schools following a provider-led route versus schools delivering their own training programme.  

If a school chooses to deliver their own training programme, using all, some or none of the school-led materials, schools are expected to supply a level of detail on planning and delivery in ITTECF fidelity checking, based on their chosen ITTECF-based programme. They are expected to participate in the appropriate body’s quality assurance process. 

Please find the guidance below from Appropriate bodies guidance: induction and the initial teacher training and early career framework  (section 4.2) 

Responsibility for ITTECF Fidelity Checking 

Appropriate bodies are expected to check that an induction design covers all of the evidence-based statements in the ITTECF and that ECTs have received planned elements of the induction. 

Headteachers are expected to ensure that an appropriate ITTECF-based induction is in place for the ECT. They are also expected to provide the appropriate body with sufficient information so that they can complete the ITTECF fidelity checks. In some schools, part, or all of this responsibility may be delegated to an ECT induction tutor or other member of staff, as appropriate. 

Pre-September 2025 

If ECTs started an ECF-based school-led training programme before 1st September 2025 (either using the existing DfE-accredited materials, or a programme designed by the school based on the ECF) they can continue to use the same course and materials based on the ECF for their remaining training programme. The existing DfE-accredited materials based on the ECF will be available until August 2027. If ECTs using these materials have not completed their training programme by 31st August 2027, they will be expected to receive a training programme based on the ITTECF from 1 September 2027 for their remaining ECTE.