Newly qualified teacher
Newly qualified teacher (NQT) is a label attached to teachers in the United Kingdom who have been qualified for less than twelve months.[1]
Origins
The term began to be used in the mid-1990s following the removal of the requirement for teachers to serve a probationary period in 1991 under the Education (Teachers) (Amendment) Regulations 1992.[2] Until that time, teachers who had recently qualified were more commonly known as probationary teachers, or probationers.
This gradual change was cemented by the introduction of an induction period for teaching in 1999, under the Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (England) Regulations 1999.[3] These regulations made it a requirement that all teachers complete an induction period equivalent to one year upon qualification as a teacher.
Use
Although the only definition in legislation refers to a period of twelve months,[1] the term is commonly used to refer to a teacher who has not yet completed a period of induction. While for teachers who are employed full-time, this period is one year, part-time employees may take several years to complete induction.
