Individualism to Collaboration: The significance of teacher culture to the induction of newly qualified teachers

Abstract

This paper draws upon qualitative data collected as part of a study of the implementation of new arrangements for the monitoring and support of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) in England (DfEE, 1999). Interview data from NQTs, induction tutors and head-teachers are used to demonstrate the significance of teacher culture to the experience of teachers during their first year in post. We locate the cultures within which NQTs work on a continuum that we characterise as moving from highly individualised, through structural collaboration to spontaneously collaborative. The new arrangements appear to have made the greatest impact on schools where the culture is one of structural collaboration. Individualised cultures are problematic for NQTs, while spontaneously collaborative cultures provide a highly supportive and developmental environment independently of the mandatory arrangements.