Where it has been decided by the appropriate body that a newly qualified teacher (NQT) has failed their induction period, or that their induction period should be extended, they can appeal to the National College for Teaching and Leadership, which acts on behalf of the Secretary of State.

In maintained schools, including maintained nursery schools and non-maintained special schools, the local authority (LA) acts as the appropriate body. For independent schools, including academies and free schools, the appropriate body can be an LA or the Independent Schools Teacher Induction Panel. 

The 'induction appeals procedures' document outlines the induction appeal process.

Once an appeal has been received, the National College for Teaching and Leadership will arrange for the appeal to be heard by an induction appeal panel. Panel members are recruited through a public appointments process, and at least one panel member is a teacher or has been a teacher in the previous five years.

The NQT has the right to participate in the induction appeal proceedings and to be represented. They can also request that the appeal is determined without a hearing.

In determining an appeal, the panel must make a recommendation to the Secretary of State based on whether it is satisfied that:

  • the NQT has failed to meet the core standards
  • there were any issues regarding support for the NQT during induction, and the issues were of sufficient importance so as to have seriously disadvantaged the NQT in meeting the standards
  • while there was insufficient evidence that the NQT met the standards, it appears that they would be able to meet them if their induction period were extended
  • there are any other special circumstances that justify the appeal being allowed or the induction period being extended.

The Secretary of State has the following options when deciding an appeal:

  • allow the appeal 
  • dismiss the appeal
  • extend the induction for such a period as they think fit.

The National College for Teaching and Leadership will pay reasonable expenses to witnesses and teachers. Advice can be found on the claiming expenses pages.

Induction appeal hearings are held in public. If you are interested in attending an induction appeal hearing, please contact the teacher regulation team at the National College for Teaching and Leadership on 0207 593 5393.