In among the chaos that is this time of year, don’t forget to have a meeting about the end-of-term induction assessment report on your progress.

The local authority induction team should send the form to the school but it’s also at www.teachernet.gov.ukprofessionaldevelopmentinductionassessmentforms.

What should you do for the first induction assessment? Well, definitely don’t waste any of your time photocopying evidence, because everything you’ve been doing is evidence enough: setting targets, planning, teaching, assessing, managing pupils, using individual education plans, working with support staff, talking to parents and implementing school policies. All these show how well you’re meeting the QTS and induction standards. Having said that, it’ll help your induction tutor if you make notes about how you think you’re doing against the three standards headings: professional values and practice, knowledge and understanding, and teaching.

You can’t “fail” your first or second term on induction because it’s only the judgment at the end of the third term that really matters. At the end of this term your headteacher has to tick one of two statements: that your progress indicates that you will or that you may not be able to meet the standards by the end of the third term. If your progress is dodgy, the school and local authority need to ensure that support and monitoring mechanisms are in place to give you every possible chance of success.

During the assessment meeting, suggest additions or revisions to the wording on the form so that you feel it’s accurate. You should be clear about your strengths and areas for further development as well as what your targets are and what support is planned.

The head is responsible for ticking the kinds of monitoring and support that have been in place during the term: the 10 per cent reduced timetable; your career entry and development profile; a plan of support; discussions with your induction tutor; observations of your teaching every half-term; your observations of other teachers and an assessment meeting. If they haven’t all happened, they shouldn’t be ticked. It’s the only way that your local authority will know you’re not getting your entitlement. Find five minutes to write a comment on the form before it’s signed and posted. Then all you have to do is keep a glitter-free copy for your professional portfolio

Sara Bubb is an educational consultant specialising in induction