Meet Rebecca Lewis: Leading Excellent Teaching and Support for New Educators

Rebecca Lewis has recently joined the Northamptonshire Teaching School Hub, part of the Brooke Weston Trust, as Early Careers Lead, where she is responsible for leading the Early Careers Framework (ECF) provision and overseeing the Appropriate Body service. Committed to the Trust’s value of providing excellent teaching and support, we caught up with her to find out how her role enhances the experience of schools and teachers within the Trust…
A Journey Through Education
Rebecca's path to becoming Early Careers Lead is marked by a deep commitment to education. "I was an English Teacher and moved into Leadership during my 13 years working in a variety of schools around the Midlands," she reflects. Her career took a pivotal turn when she transitioned from the classroom to work with Ambition Institute, a DfE-funded provider of professional development programmes for teachers and school leaders. This decision was a natural fit for her, as her interests have always centred on professional development and teacher education. "Coming from a family who taught in various forms, I feel like it must have been in my blood!"
Supporting New Teachers
In her new role, Rebecca draws on her extensive experience to support new teachers. "I have worked with new teachers and been a mentor myself, and I know how challenging both of those roles felt to me," she shares. She recalls that during her early teaching years, the ECF did not exist, and while she had support from my mentor, it was often inconsistent. "Knowing how great the ECF is and the quality of support it provides drives my motivation to ensure that all our early career teachers get the support they need."
Responsibilities as Early Careers Lead
As Early Careers Lead, Rebecca's responsibilities are varied. "I will be supporting our Expert Teacher Educators, Early Career Teachers and their mentors, as well as schools so that those beginning their teaching career receive excellent Professional Development," she explains. This includes monitoring engagement with the ECF, assisting schools with its implementation, and providing opportunities for further professional development, such as Instructional Coaching.
The Role of the Early Career Framework (ECF)
Rebecca elaborates on how the ECF functions: "The ECF provides a mandatory support programme that all Early Career Teachers are entitled to in their first two years as a teacher." This framework blends online study with live delivery led by Expert Teacher Educators while pairing new teachers with experienced mentors in their schools. In her role, Rebecca collaborates with school leaders to clarify what successful implementation looks like on a daily basis.
Ensuring Excellent Support for New Teachers
When discussing the key elements for supporting new teachers within the Trust, Rebecca emphasises the importance of relationships. "The relationships with our school leaders are vital in ensuring that they understand not only the statutory requirements for ECTs but also how best to support them." Her role is crucial in providing practical advice that empowers leaders to effectively guide their early career teachers.
Looking Forward
What excites Rebecca most about her new position? "Working not only with the fabulous team in the Teaching School Hub but also collaborating with colleagues across the wider trust is what excites me the most." She has been proactive in meeting school leaders to introduce the ECT programme and facilitate its successful implementation.
First Impressions of Northants Teaching School Hub
Rebecca's early impressions of both the Northants Teaching School Hub and Brooke Weston Trust are overwhelmingly positive. "The Hub team and the trust are fantastic: supportive, knowledgeable, and 100% driven by our collective vision and values," she states. This alignment with values was a significant factor in her decision to join this motivated team.
With her wealth of experience and passion for education, Rebecca Lewis is set to make a significant impact on teacher development within Brooke Weston Trust, nurturing and supporting the next generation of educators in Northamptonshire.