XAVIER TEACHING SCHOOL HUB  

FAST TRACK INFORMATION 

2025-2026 

Thank you for your interest in the ECTE reduced induction fast track.  

In the DfE (2025) statutory guidance on Induction for early career teachers (England), it states that: 

“Even though some teachers already have significant teaching experience when they enter the maintained sector for the first time, they are still required to serve statutory induction. In such cases, appropriate bodies have discretion to reduce the length of the induction period to a minimum of one term (based on a school year of three terms).” 

In making such a decision, the appropriate body takes account of the advice received from the headteacher and must gain the agreement of the teacher concerned.  If a teacher wishes to serve the full induction period they must be permitted to do so. 

Xavier Teaching School Hub will consider requests from headteachers to reduce an ECT’s induction period if all of the following criteria are met: 

• The ECT has taught for more than 3 full years (excluding initial teacher training) and in at least 2 different schools. 

• The ECT has extensive prior experience of teaching whole classes. 

• The headteacher confirms that there is robust and sufficient evidence that the ECT is consistently meeting all of the Teachers’ Standards. 

• The ECT and their mentor agree to fully engage with the ECTE programme throughout the agreed reduced induction period. 

• The ECT understands and accepts that completing a reduced induction period will result in the forfeiture of their statutory entitlements as an ECT. 

• The school understands and accepts that reducing the ECT’s induction period will result in the loss of ECTE-related funding. 

To apply for fast track

1. The school’s induction tutor should register the ECT and their mentor in the usual way – via the DfE portal and ECT Manager. (If the school is new to working with Xavier, full guidance and support can be provided for the registration process.) 

2. The ECT must complete the Fast Track Application Form, which should be signed by both the ECT and their headteacher. 

3. The headteacher must complete the Fast Track Sponsorship Form, which provides a detailed and honest reflection of the ECT’s attainment against the Teachers’ Standards to date, including their current performance in the classroom. 

4. Both forms should be returned to Kate du Toit at k.dutoit@xaviercet.org.uk.  

Appropriate body approval 

Once the completed forms are received, the Xavier Appropriate Body will review the application. 

If sufficient evidence has been provided, a member of the team will arrange a school visit to observe the ECT teaching and hold a professional discussion with the ECT and a designated school leader (e.g. mentor, induction tutor, or member of the leadership team). At the conclusion of the visit, the team member will inform the school of the outcome of the application. 

Contact us 

If you have any questions about the fast track process, please contact Kate du Toit in the first instance: 

• Email: k.dutoit@xaviercet.org.uk 

• Telephone: 01932 578687 

We look forward to working with you.