ECT Induction in BSO Accredited Schools
An international school may only employ ECTs and support them through their 2 year Statutory Induction if they have, within the last 6 years, had a successful DfE BSO inspection and taken full membership of one of the 6 membership associations recognised by the DfE. The Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO) is one of these.
By considering an AoBSO school for your ECT Induction, you are looking to start your career in one of the world's very best British curriculum schools anywhere overseas.
In addition to BSO accreditation and association membership, your employing school must work with an Appropriate Body (AB) to support you in your ECT Induction. AoBSO works with ESP Education as the DfE’s specialist AB for ECT Induction in BSO schools to offer support to ECTs in our member schools schools worldwide. The dedicated and knowledgeable team at ESP Education have over 15 years’ experience in Statutory Induction and are there to support you to meet your statutory responsibilities at all times throughout the Induction period.
Changes to DfE Statutory Induction Legislation from 2021
There are no changes to the statutory eligibility of international Induction with the introduction of the Early Career Framework on the 1 September 2021. Induction under ECF remains (as it has done since 2012) exclusively available internationally to those schools who:
Have undertaken a BSO inspection within the last 6 years; and
Have full membership of at least one of the following DfE recognised membership associations for British international schools (AoBSO, BSME, COBIS, FOBISIA, IAPS, LAHC or NABSS); and
Are working with a DfE registered Appropriate Body (AB) such as ESP Education to support ECT Induction.
ECT Induction Overseas
From September 2021 the DfE made following statutory changes to Induction processes in UK schools and British Schools Overseas:
Extending the Induction to 2 academic years to mirror other professional career models;
Entitling all ECTs to a programme of Induction and CPD based on the ECF, as well as the support of an in-school ECT Mentor, Induction Tutor and their Headteacher;
Requiring schools to provide 5% time off timetable in year 2 of Induction as well as a continuation of 10% time off timetable in year 1;
Requiring ABs to ensure that suitable ECF based support is provided for the full 2 years.
By commencing your teaching career in an AoBSO Member School you are sure to receive an Induction that is reported to the Teaching Regulation Agency and will be recognised by schools in England when you return home.