Beta is a large, inner-city primary school in a deprived area that gets very good national test results. It is well-managed - but does not comply with the letter or spirit of the law on induction.
It employs large numbers of newly-qualified teachers, 11 during our research. NQTs only get a 5 per cent timetable reduction; have no choice on how to spend their “free” time; are told what to do and whom to observe; and are not allowed on any courses, including local education authority ones.
No school staff have attended induction tutor training. NQT meetings with induction tutors are more about line-management than meeting individuals’ needs. NQTs’objectives are set for them, not negotiated, and assessment reports are not discussed with them. Ten NQTs left during or at the end of their first year; some complained of severe bullying by senior management.
We were unable to discover how many left teaching altogether.
