Teachers writing and dressed warmly outside at the Eden Project

Early Career Teacher weekends

This unique development opportunity enables early career teachers to step out of the classroom and have a transformative weekend focused on wellbeing, that is full of inspirational talks, workshops and coaching.

Facilitated by Alex Bell – an award-winning leadership and innovation coach at Portland Education – and the Eden Project’s Schools Team, the programme takes place in the breathtaking setting of the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Participant

“ It has been a truly amazing experience and I cannot thank the Eden Project enough. I feel relaxed, reflective and ready to take on the term ahead. ”

What you can expect

Personal recharge and reflection time

Wobbly bridge stretching across the canopy of Eden's Rainforest Biome

Bespoke out-of-hours activities in the Eden Project Biomes

Inspiring input on wider world contexts

Hands laying leaves and flowers on cotton to make a natural dye print

Take-away teaching ideas and resources for nature-rich, outdoor and sustainability-led learning

Adults standing outside in a circle doing training at the Eden Project

Group coaching

Generous catering including a Cornish pasty supper and proper cream tea

A weekend focused on the 'why'

Did you know?

17.2% of teachers consider leaving the profession within their first two years.

Our ECT weekends provide support and encouragement to new teachers, helping reduce the numbers choosing to stop teaching at such an early stage in their careers.

Our weekends are designed to strengthen early career teachers’ commitment to the profession: one third unashamed well-being time, one third inspirational global speakers and practical workshops, one third group-coaching and action planning for the future. The programme is designed to keep good people in the profession and reduce the financial and educational cost of new teachers leaving.

100% of previous participants say they would highly recommend the weekend to other ECTs.

Teachers writing in chalk on the paths in front of Eden's Biomes

Alex Bell, co-founder of the Eden Project ECT weekends

“What you teach will change over time. How you teach will improve and get better over time. But why you teach… that’s the precious flame we’ve got to nurture and intensify not diminish.”

How to book

If you'd like to learn more about these weekends or discuss how we can work together to create an ECT weekend for your group of schools or multi-academy trust, please contact education@edenproject.com.

Commissioning school

“ Alex and the team at Eden are expert purveyors of hope, people whose dreams have become reality because of their values. ”

Early Career Teacher weekends