New teachers in Northumberland are set to benefit from additional support to make the strongest possible start in the classroom.

The Chartered College of Teaching, the professional body for teachers, is working with the county council to offer free membership to newly qualifited teachers (NQTs) in Northumberland.

As part of the partnership, over 80 NQTs will receive tailored research, tools and guidance as they start teaching.

The support comes at a crucial time, with an increasing rate of early career teachers leaving the profession.

The free membership follows the Department for Education’s call for more early career teachers to receive high-quality support to build a foundation for a successful career as part of their recruitment and retention strategy.

Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, said: “Our teachers play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young people and have a positive impact on society every single day.

“At the Chartered College of Teaching, we believe that teachers should be supported to make the strongest possible start in the classroom. We are pleased to be working with Northumberland County Council to provide NQTs with the tools and insight to benefit their pupils, their school and their whole community.”

Dean Jackson, Service Director for Education & Skills at the council, added: “It is vital that we support new entrants to the profession. This partnership with the Chartered College will strengthen the excellent support this local authority already provides.”

Northumberland joins 30 other bodies across the country in this partnership.

Newly qualified teachers will have access to the Chartered College’s early career guide, The Profession; an Early Career Area on the Chartered College’s member site, MyCollege; and exclusive invites to events such as an Early Career Conference in November.

For more information about the Chartered College, visit chartered.college/join.