Your FAQs

What does ECT stand for?

Early career teacher. This term now replaces the term newly qualified teachers (NQTs).

I have not yet logged on to the DfE portal to register my ECT. How do I do this?

Click on this link to access the DfE portal and register your ECT

How often do ECTs need to attend training?

ECTs will need to attend training for two hours at the start of each term and one hour at the end of each term. For specific dates and times please click on the ECT Clusters and training section.

Will I need to pay for training?

If you teach at a state school, the training is paid for by the government. If you are an independent school, it will cost £2700 for the two years.

Why isn’t the Appropriate Body service free?

Sadly funding was not provided to cover this service and this service sits separately from the ECF training. You must ensure that you have nominated an Appropriate Body service to sign off your ECT as they progress through the training.

Why don't I have a UCL log-in?

There are a few reasons that you have been unable to log in:

  • You haven't signed or received your letter of intent from UCL 
  • You have not signed up your ECT on the DFE. It will take 2 weeks from signing your ECT up to being processed by UCL.
  • You are not signing in with the email that you were signed up to the DFE with.

If you have done all the following, please email us at enquiries@wandlelearningpartnership.org.uk, with extend@ucl.ac.uk cc'd in to flag this.

Where can I get information through about my mentor funding?

Eligible schools will receive backfill payments to cover 36 hours of mentor time off timetable for training per mentor, over 2 years. This funding will be made in arrears over 2 payments. The first payment, covering 18 hours of mentor time off-timetable for training, will be made in the summer of year 1 following mentors starting the training. The second payment for the remaining 18 hours of mentor time off timetable will be made in the summer of year 2 where there has been sustained engagement with the training. Click here for more information.

How do I let Wandle know that my ECT has left the school?

If there is any change in your or your ECTs course, please let us know through this form

Change of circumstances may include:

  • Change of Mentor or Induction Lead
  • Career Break 
  • Maternity/Paternity Leave
  • Changing School

Why does my profile on the DfE portal say that the provider has not been selected?

UCL uploads information to the DfE every Tuesday but there can be a time lag between information being provided and when it is uploaded. There is nothing further you need to do as this will be sorted out between UCL and the DfE.

Who fills out the progress reports at the end of each term?

This varies between Appropriate Bodies, however for Wandle AB the progress report will be filled in by the Induction Lead.

I can’t find my school on the cluster list. What should I do now?

If you are a Special School or have an Early Years ECT you will find your school in those individual clusters. If this does not apply to you then please email us