Helping new teachers thrive Encouraging early career teachers (ECTs) to take control of their own professional development doesn’t just improve teaching quality, it also boosts confidence, writes Emily Hainsworth, Deputy Headteacher at Enderby Danemill Primary School which is part of the Discovery Schools Academy Trust. With nearly a third of new teachers leaving the profession within the first five years, it’s clear we need to change the way we support early career teachers so they can develop into long term contributors to this vocation. At Danemill Primary School, we’ve found that if we create an environment where ECTs can take charge of their own professional growth it really makes a difference – not only to their teaching ability but in their ability to stay connected with their original passion for teaching.