Every month we showcase one of our delivery partners who help us develop, deliver and facilitate our programmes across the country. This month, we caught up with Bishop Challoner Training School Alliance!

Where are you based?

We are based in Birmingham, with a large network of schools spreading across the West Midlands. 

We work with Multi-Academies and schools across the West Midlands, including in Coventry, Rugby, Dudley, Redditch, and of course, our many schools in Birmingham itself. 

Why did you choose Best Practice Network?

We love working with Best Practice Network because of the quality of training and support provided.  Our Partnership Manager Erin has given us great support.

Our facilitators find the training and resources are clear and helpful, empowering them to deliver engaging and challenging sessions. Whether it is on the Early Career Framework programme, or on National Professional Qualifications, our participants speak highly of the learning experiences, especially in the face-to-face sessions. 

Our ECF mentors enjoy the clarity of the resources provided to structure their mentoring role. 

What do you think about the latest ECF changes? 

In January, the Department for Education released a combined ITT and Early Career Framework. This is fantastic, as it removes some of the elements of the ECF that might have been a bit repetitive, and instead, it creates a smoothly integrated approach to teacher development in the first three years of their career.

Previously, your initial teacher training year and early career years might have felt a bit separate, but the new combined framework helps us all to see that the first three years of training work as one progressive programme. 

What advice would you give to Early Career Teachers? 

The main advice is to prioritise your training and ongoing CPD!

You are building habits of reflection, engagement with research, and a constant drive to improve that we hope will last throughout your career. 

The ECT years can be so intensive in school, and the day-to-day demands can be heavy, but it is vital to protect the time for your own development and growth, as this will stand you in good stead in the future. It's also important for your mental well-being to be able to take a step back every week or so to reflect on practice, take stock of what has gone well, and embed new strategies into your mental model of teaching. 

Looking for more information?

You can find out more information about what we offer at Bishop Challoner Training School Alliance (BCTSA) here

If you would like any more information on our ECF programme, get in contact with us:

 Email: ecf@bestpracticenet.co.uk

 Tel: +44 (0) 117 920 9200 (8.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)

Visit our ECF page