Early Career Teachers (ECT)

Embarking on your career in education is a journey filled with opportunities as well as challenges, and as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) in England and Northern Ireland, Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in Wales or Probationer in Scotland, you have a unique chance to shape the future of your students and the UK education system itself.

One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is joining a teacher trade union that has your best interests at heart, and represents you on the things that matter, including pay, conditions and recognition of the brilliant work you do. That’s where Community comes in.

We represent thousands of teachers across the UK, and ensure your rights are protected, providing a collective voice for positive change across the education system. We lobby at local and national levels to secure better pay, conditions and recognition for our members in the teaching profession.

Secure your Early Career Teacher membership today

For just £1 a month, you will get get access to all of Community’s membership benefits, including advice, support and representation, legal support, financial help and more throughout your first year of employment, then £5 per month for your second year of employment.

Join today

Already a member? Simply log into your Community account and update your payment details to secure your ECT membership.

Transfer your student membership

If you joined Community as a student, and want to take your membership with you to the workplace, simply log into your online account and add your payment details. We’ll take it from there!

Secure your ECT membership

ECT advice, support and representation

As a new teacher, you might find yourself in situations where you’re unsure of your legal rights, or how to navigate certain challenges. That’s where we come in. Our trained legal officers are on hand to offer support and protection with issues with pay, contracts, grievances or disputes so you can focus on what matters most.

Find out more

Exclusive ECT continued professional development

Access over 650 CPD-accredited learning courses, workshops and training programmes through your Community membership on managing classroom behaviour, safeguarding, lesson planning and more – all designed to help you thrive in the classroom and in your career.

Explore our courses

Access ECT advice and guidance

Through our advice centre, you can access resources, guidance and advice, designed to help you through your first few years in the classroom and know where you stand at work with your rights.

Access advice centre

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