The MAGNET Project

The aim of Project MAGNET was to drive improvements in workforce development for 60 new or inexperienced teachers through reducing timetables, high-quality mentoring and developing COVID-responsive FE teacher-training resources. Activate Learning and Barnet and Southgate College worked collaboratively on this project.

In addition, with the support and expertise of the Research College Group, the project also aimed to offer a Practice Review of new teacher induction, which would then inform a draft of an Early Career Framework for the Post-16 sector.

Our objectives were set out within four workstreams which were designed to:

Free up time for new/inexperienced teachers to aid their development and improve retention
Train new cohorts of mentors and offer skilled mentoring session to the new/inexperienced teachers
Develop, pilot and publish a range of resources that would support highly effective induction and a Covid-responsive curriculum
Research and write a Practice Review of Early Career Induction and Development, aligning it with a draft version of the schools’ Early Career Framework adapted to suit the Post-16 sector.

Our overall aim was to understand more clearly what most effective practice was for developing new and inexperienced teachers and by putting this into practice ourselves, increase teacher satisfaction, confidence and ultimately retention in role at a recognisably vulnerable stage of their careers.

Our project delivered the following resources for sharing with the sector:

New Teacher Induction
- Outline Induction Plan
COVID-responsive Teacher Development
- Outline Plan
- Mental Health
- Effective Classroom Management
- Classroom Behaviours
- Understanding and Supporting Individual Needs
- Trauma-informed Practice
- Assistive Technology
- Professional Communication
Research College Group – Guidance on the Support and Development of New and Inexperienced Teachers in the Post-16 Education and Training Sector