The experiences of newly qualified teachers in 2020 and what we can learn for future cohorts

Those training to become teachers in England during the 2019/20 academic year were severely impacted by first national lockdown due Covid-19 pandemic, with many missing school placements, giving them less time build experience and confidence before becoming newly qualified (NQTs). Their of teaching was also pandemic. As part a British Academy-funded project, we collected data from 2020/1 NQTs through their teaching. This article focuses on qualitative seven participants, utilising online interviews understand challenges opportunities they faced within sector Our findings, while drawing small-scale data, provide insights into how schools providers can support trainees healthier times, include importance relationships school, given leaders need acknowledge beginning professional career. These findings may be useful future disruptive events for early teacher education.