Ofsted commends EDT for Outstanding delivery of Early Career Framework, citing commitment to quality as “shining strength”

At EDT, we understand the importance of objectivity when considering impact, so external sources are crucial in verifying our own judgements on the difference we make to people’s lives. We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which is testament to the hard work, dedication and expertise of our UK team. 

The Ofsted inspection report notes how early career teachers (ECTs) are “expertly supported and empowered to make a positive difference to the lives of pupils through EDT’s programme”, helping us to build the confidence of both teachers and their pupils. One ECT shared that “everyone does everything they can to support us becoming better teachers.” 

Continually deepening and building knowledge is a key observation in the report. EDT supports ECTs to “actively build on their prior learning”, using a “deep understanding of relevant research to inform their teaching”. At EDT, we strongly believe in the use of the best available research evidence to improve education and skills outcomes. 

Ofsted also praises the high quality of our mentoring and leadership. EDT mentors are described as “the beating heart” of the programme, while “leaders’ commitment to quality assurance and improvement is a shining strength”. 

We are particularly proud of our impact on pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Ofsted notes that “equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the lead provider’s work”, with one ECT telling inspectors, “I understand how the knowledge and skills that we learn directly benefits the children in my classroom, especially those with SEND.” 

The success of the Early Career Professional Development Programme will guide the new Early Career Training Programme, which we are proud to have been entrusted by the DfE to deliver as lead provider starting in September 2025.

“EDT is delighted that Ofsted have recognised the outstanding quality of our Early Career Framework delivery and how it equips early career teachers with the principles and practices to precisely meet the needs of all pupils, so that they are exceptionally well prepared to teach. We’ve been an ECF provider since the very beginning in 2019, and we are pleased to have been appointed as a lead provider of the new Early Career Training Programme which starts in September. 

“Ofsted acknowledges how our delivery partners readily work alongside EDT to continually improve the impact in classroom practices, and the role of mentors as ‘the beating heart of the programme’. Early career teachers are highly positive about being part of the EDT family to do everything we can together to support them to become better teachers.” 

Ross Anderson, Managing Director UK, EDT 

“The Early Career initiative has been running since 2019 and is now fully embedded in the sector landscape, widely recognised as creating a new generation of teachers who understand and can apply the best of what we know about teaching and learning, and who are motivated to break down the barriers to success for all children, whatever their start in life.” 

Dr Nicky Platt, Policy & Solutions Director, EDT 

Read Ofsted’s full inspection report of EDT’s Early Career Framework delivery.