A60/07 Feedback to NQT Induction Co-ordinators and Mentors in ...

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICES
Director : G Rowney
For the Attention of
Headteachers and NQT Induction
Co-ordinators
Dear Colleague
Our Reference SWDT/NF/JH/feedback
Your Reference
Please ask for Neil Fazackerley
Extension
Direct Line 01942 767065
Date 27 March 2007
A60/07
Feedback to NQT Induction Co-ordinators and Mentors in Schools on
NQT Assessment Forms, Autumn Term 2006
I write to give some generic feedback to all school Induction Co-ordinators on the Newly
Qualified Teacher assessment forms presented to the Local Authority as a result of the
first assessment period for NQTs in the Autumn term 2006.
As you are aware, the Local Authority acts as the appropriate body for induction and
makes the decision, based on headteacher recommendations, about whether NQTs
have completed induction satisfactorily. It is to hoped that schools will find this feedback
helpful in informing the writing of future assessment forms so that the Authority may then
make rigorous and consistent decisions about satisfactory completion of induction in all
cases.
Further advice, support and guidance may be obtained from myself, as LA induction Coordinator,
on assessment and other matters related to Newly Qualified Teachers. The
Authority has also issued a comprehensive set of support materials to support induction
processes in schools which can be found on www.wiganschoolonline.net/nqt.
Please note that it is the 2003 version of the assessment forms that schools should use
for NQTs currently in their induction year, not the old 2000 forms. The 2003 version is
contained within the current Employment Handbook for Schools on the Wigan intranet at
http://boston/educ/schools and have also now been put on the NQT website. An
example of an appropriately completed assessment form has also been posted on the
NQT website for training purposes.
1. Administration ( Page 1 and Page 5 )
If you employ an NQT on a supply contract and this will be for a term or longer it is
essential that Lorraine Carey in Human Resources is informed so that the NQT can be
added to our tracking system.
/cont
Please address all communications to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services,
for the attention of Neil Fazackerley.
Professional Development Centre, Park Road, Hindley, Wigan. WN2 3RY.
Telephone: (01942) 704152/703713 Fax: (01942) 767117
Web Site: E-Mail: pdc@wiganmbc.gov.ukwww.wiganmbc.gov.uk/pub/educ/pdc

(2)
The deadline date for the return of assessment forms is within 10 working days of the
end of each term. With over 160 NQTs to track, I really appreciate all efforts schools can
make to return these on time despite the obvious end of term pressures.
Whilst the deadline date for the return of the Autumn term forms was met by the majority
of schools, unfortunately, in some cases we are still asking for forms in February. In
addition, some forms had to be returned because they did not have the headteacher
signature on them or the school stamp or NQT reference number. Please also note the
boxes are required to be crossed not ticked and Wigan Local Authority is the
appropriate body, not the GTC, as some schools wrote in this box.
2. Support and monitoring arrangements (Page 2)
The purpose of the boxes at the top of page 2 of the assessment form is to inform the
Local Authority that all aspects of statutory induction are in place. It is a requirement for
NQTs to receive their additional 10% time for professional development, in addition to
10% PPA time. There is also an expectation that the career entry and development
profile (CEDP) is used to inform the setting of objectives, based on the induction and
QTS standards, for the teacher at the start of their induction year and that these
objectives are regularly reviewed at meetings with the mentor.
Where these boxes were not crossed, phone calls were made to schools to ascertain
that this support was now in place. Most schools are complying with their duties in
respect of support and monitoring. Some schools helpfully gave details of additional
support that teachers were being given, such as visits to other schools, in- house training
and work with consultants. All this was useful information for the Local Authority in being
able to make the judgement that the teachers have been supported fully.
3. Commentary and Judgements on Standards (Pages 2, 3 and 4)
The most comprehensive and useful forms began each section with a clear judgement
as to whether the teacher was making good/satisfactory/unsatisfactory progress against
the standard being addressed. This opening judgment was then backed up with detailed
evidence based on the QTS and induction standards and the impact this was having on
learning.
At the end of the commentary, targets for further development were set , again based on
the standards and priorities that had resulted from lesson observations and work
scrutiny. At the end of the form, a summary list was included of all the evidence
judgments had been based on, as well as a list of activities that the NQTs had
undertaken to support their professional development.
The weakest assessment forms, some of which, unfortunately, had to be returned to
schools to be rewritten, did not contain enough in the way of judgments against the
standards and one or two merely provided a list of activities that the NQT had
undertaken such as attending parents evenings and taking a school trip.
/cont

(3)
It should be noted that it is good practice to encourage new teachers to reflect upon how
they feel they are continuing to meet QTS and Induction standards prior to an
assessment meeting at the end of term. There is a space on the last page of the form
for the NQT to make reflective comments and we very much like to see these. There are
also tools to encourage reflection and self -review in the Wigan Support materials. These
can be used prior to half termly reviews and assessment meetings. However, the actual
assessment forms should be written by the induction mentor, not the NQT.
Schools should also note that in term one and two they are still making judgements
based on the QTS standards in addition to the induction standards. The latter are there
to provide an assessment of the areas of practice that may not have been developed
fully during teacher training, for example, liaison with parents. It is important to bear this
in mind, particularly where NQTs are causing concern, as it is likely that it will be
elements of practice from the QTS standards that are causing concern.
4. Comments by NQT ( Page 4)
It is recommended that NQTs use this box to record any comments on their induction to
date. It is an opportunity for the teachers to reflect on their work so far and what they
need to do further in terms of their own professional development They can also
comment upon the support they have received.
We look forward to receiving your second assessment forms at the beginning of the
Summer Term. Mentors may be interested to see the termly mentors update on
www.wiganschoolsonline.net/nqt and also may wish to attend a termly mentors network
meeting held at the PDC. Details of these are on the EMS system.
Yours sincerely
Neil Fazackerley
NQT Induction Co-ordinator
Dear Colleague