ECT Induction as a Tool to Tackle the Challenges of Teacher Recruitment and Retention

This article was featured in the BSME Newsletter 2024-25 | Edition 3

Increasingly, BSME schools are turning to ECT induction following their BSO inspections as part of their efforts to tackle the challenges of teacher recruitment, which have become more pronounced in recent years. With BSME schools running ECT induction often finding that it creates a pathway for teachers to transition smoothly from training (in England or overseas) into the international classroom.

By working with ESP Education to offer DfE accredited ECT Induction, BSO schools across the region are offering specialised ECT Induction programmes that incorporate local cultural considerations, cultural contexts and the contexts of BSO schools.

The DfE ECT Induction programme, run in partnership with ESP Education as the DfE Appropriate Body for ECT in BSO schools, provides these teachers with the support they need for the first 2 years of their teaching careers, helping them feel more confident and to flourish in their roles.

James McDonald, Principal and CEO of GEMS Wesgreen International School, Sharjah has worked with ECTs across three BSO schools in the Middle East. James stated that, “Recruiting Early Career Teachers brings fresh perspectives, adaptability, and enthusiasm to my school each year, fostering a dynamic and innovative learning environment”.

Stephen Viner, Principal of the British International School Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia, recruits a small cohort of ECTs each year as part of his solution to the challenges of recruiting to Saudi Arabia. Stephen shared that, “The recruitment of ECTs to BISAK ensures that the school maintains access to current academic thinking, whilst adding new passion and diversity to our profession”.

Richard Williams, Assistant Head of Sherborne Qatar explained why Sherborne have recruited ECTs to their campuses since their very first year of becoming a BSO school. “BSO is very important to us for a variety of reasons. One of these is that it enables us to recruit talented young teachers who can be assured they are joining an authentic British school which will give them the support and development that are so important in the early stages of a teaching career”.

As a BSO Accredited school, by considering offering ECT Induction you are opening another route to recruiting high-quality, UK-trained teachers into your school. ECT Induction has been shown to enhance teacher satisfaction and retention within younger teachers. Schools that run ECT Induction can demonstrate a commitment to developing and retaining teachers in the profession, which consequently helps to reduce turnover rates, a critical concern facing all British international schools.

For more information on ECT Induction contact Mark Bignell on mark@espeducation.co.uk