The Implementation of the Early Career Framework

Tender description

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to notify the market of forthcoming market engagement events relating to the recently released Early Career Framework (ECF https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-early-career-teachers). The Department will be undertaking face-to-face events in Manchester and Darlington for interested providers to input into the implementation of the ECF. Lot 1: In May 2018, in response to a public consultation on “Strengthening Qualified Teacher Status and Improving Career Progression for Teachers” (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/704942/Government_consultation_response_-_QTS_and_career_progression.pdf), DfE committed to improving the support for early career teachers through a new Early Career Framework, and extended induction and strengthened mentoring. In collaboration with an Expert Advisory Group, the department consulted extensively with the sector to design the ECF, a copy of which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-early-career-teachers The ECF has been designed to support early career teacher development in 5 core areas — behaviour management, pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and professional behaviours. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has independently reviewed the framework to ensure it draws on the best available evidence and that this evidence has been interpreted with fidelity. The ECF is at the heart of the recruitment and retention strategy for school teachers, which can be found here — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/teacher-recruitment-and-retention-strategy The strategy confirms that DfE will fully fund national roll-out of the early career reforms in September 2021, as our top priority to support early career retention and to support teacher quality. To ensure national roll-out is a success, we are embarking on an extensive period of trialling and development. We have already announced funding for an early roll-out of the ECF in September 2020 as part of Opportunity North East. We will now also extend the opportunity for early roll-out of the ECF to Bradford, Doncaster and Greater Manchester. This means that all schools with an early career teacher starting induction in September 2020 in the early roll-out areas will be able to start benefitting from the ECF. Drawing on the ECF, our intention is to procure the development of high-quality curricula and materials, and the delivery of fully funded training programmes to support schools. Supplier events are planned to take place in early April in Darlington on 2nd April and Manchester on 4th April, for interested organisations to gain a better understanding of the planned procurement activity. Details of how to register for the events will be available here — https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-early-career-teachers in due course. Slides will be made available after conclusions of the events. Indicative key dates for procurement activity: More information on the procurement process will be provided following market engagement activity. Please note: timescales for commencing procurement are indicative and are subject to change at DfE’s absolute discretion. The department will be administering the procurement process electronically via the DfE e-Procurement Solution portal; Bravo Solution. No hard copy documents will be issued and all communications with DfE (including final submission of tenders) will be conducted via the Bravo Solution Portal. Bidders who are not already registered on the portal can register here: https://education.bravosolution.co.uk For any assistance required interested suppliers should contact the Bravo helpdesk: help@bravosolution.co.uk To be kept informed about the ECF, follow the link here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-early-career-teachers