Starting your teaching journey is an exciting adventure, and it's completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. If you're curious about what the initial years might look like, we're here to share what you can expect as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) in the Oasis family.

You Won't Be Flying Solo

At Oasis, we're here to support you every step of the way in your teaching journey. As a proud founding member of the National Institute of Teaching (NIOT), we're committed to providing practical, real-world training that makes a difference, regardless of whether you're in Bristol, Manchester, or Southampton.

You'll be paired with a caring mentor who is there to guide you through your first few months. A new teacher shared, "My mentor actually shows me what good teaching looks like in action and helps me use what I'm learning straight away in my own classroom." Another mentioned that their mentor "gives me feedback that's genuinely helpful, celebrates the things I'm doing well, and helps me figure out exactly what I need to focus on next."

This personalised support truly makes a difference as you start your teaching career. Plus, you'll have a school-based induction tutor dedicated to providing excellent training and consistent support throughout your year. You'll also be welcomed into a community within Oasis and your regional network through NIOT.

Learning That Actually Works

Your first year is structured into manageable parts. You'll start with behaviour and relationships because if you're not comfortable managing your classroom, everything else can be more difficult. Then, you'll move on to understanding how children learn, lesson planning, and ways to make your subject memorable.

The programme builds on what you learnt during your initial teacher training, so you'll be expanding on familiar territory rather than starting from scratch.

ECTs find practical ways to apply what they learn right away. You'll have access to an online platform where one ECT said, "The variety of resources, including videos and short examples, helps me implement strategies."

Managing Your Workload

Starting a new job can feel overwhelming at first, but remember, you're not alone. Your team, academy, region, trust, and the NIOT are all here to support you every step of the way. At Oasis, we make things easier with our centralised curriculum and digital tools that help lighten your workload, so you can focus more on what you love—teaching. Everyone goes through this adjustment period, but with Oasis's supportive community, you'll quickly feel at home and have plenty of friendly faces ready to help you succeed.

You'll Grow More Than You Expect

Remember, all great teachers started where you are now, curious about mastering what's new. Transitioning from trainee to confident educator takes time, but with our ongoing support and our partnership with NIOT, you'll become the teacher you've always wanted to be.

During our programme review, over half of our ECTs also took on exciting roles like leading teams, running clubs, or volunteering in community hubs. At Oasis, we're passionate about supporting everyone in reaching their full potential by offering numerous opportunities to grow and develop.

This journey isn't just about two years; it's about building a strong foundation and uncovering your true potential. And the best part? Helping young people discover theirs. There's truly nothing quite like the moment you realise you're making a real difference.

What Our Current ECTs Say Works

Want to know the secret to making the most of your ECT year? Here's what our current ECTs wish they'd known from day one: really embrace your mentor relationship – they're there to help you succeed, not judge you. Don't be afraid to try new strategies, even if they feel a bit daunting at first. Ask plenty of questions without worrying about appearing inexperienced – you are new to this, and that's completely fine! And remain curious about your practice – the best teachers never stop learning and growing.

Want to find out more – https://niot.org.uk/programmes/ECF