At Scottish Borders Council we are strongly committed to supporting our Early Phase Teachers (teachers who are in the first 5 years of teaching). This document has been created to outline the expectations and support which should be in place throughout our schools for all Early Phase Teachers (post NQT year). 

 

All Early Phase Teachers should be assigned an in-school Supporter. We recognise that this relationship is central to each Early Phase Teacher’s progress, success and wellbeing.

  • The Supporter should be suitably and recently experienced at the stage of school where the Early Phase Teacher will be teaching.
  • The Supporter should be a competent, committed teacher with at least 3 years of experience, who will serve as an excellent professional role model.
  • The Supporter will be knowledgeable about what is required to support progress.
  • The Supporter should be comfortable adopting a mentoring/coaching role and be able to listen and empathise.

Help and support should always be at hand for our Early Phase Teachers.

 

The supporter will ensure that the following processes are put in place to ensure continued Professional Development of the Early Phase Teacher:

  • Professional Development Action Plan (PDAP) for Early Phase Teachers in first year of teaching / PRD Areas for Development (for those in years 2 to 4 of teaching) – take time to review the Early Phase Teacher’s Professional Development needs and priorities and provide guidance on how these can be achieved going forward.
  • Check-In / Supporter Meetings – these should be offered at least on a termly basis, but ideally on a monthly basis.

 

Other suggestions of useful supports for Early Phase Teachers:

  • Arrange a group chat for Early Phase Teachers within school / cluster.
  • Regular opportunities should be made for Early Phase Teachers to observe colleagues. The attached template can be used as a basis for these observations to ensure there is a clear focus and that next steps are set.

  

Coaching

We are very fortunate in the Scottish Borders to have so many people who have undertaken professional learning to become a ‘Coach’.  All Early Phase Teachers will be offered a coach who will be a trusted individual based in a different school.  Each coach will provide a confidential, safe space (which may be online) for their Early Phase Support teacher to be open and honest about any challenges they are facing.  Through the use of ‘Coaching’ approaches, each Early Phase teacher will be able to reflect and consider options in order to set goals and move forward.

 

Professional Learning

We offer a suite of high quality CLPL opportunities to further develop skills and knowledge which can be accessed via Business World.

If there are any opportunities which Early Phase Teachers would find beneficial to their continued Professional Development please contact the CLPL Team – CLPL@scotborders.gov.uk and we will be happy to explore these requests.