ECT Recruitment Pool
The Harmony Trust
The Harmony Trust ECT Pool 2026 Teachers Main Pay Scale Are you a passionate educator ready to make a real difference? The Harmony Trust is seeking dynamic and committed Early Career Teachers (ECT 1 and ECT2) to join our team. If you are currently studying or have graduated and looking for a role in teaching with an employer of choice, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Whatever your preferred year group may be, and whether you are looking for a part time or permanent role, we would love to help you progress within your career. Why join the Harmony Trust as an Early Career Teacher? At The Harmony Trust, we believe every child deserves an excellent education. Our vision is simple: Believe. Achieve. Succeed. As a forward-thinking Multi Academy Trust, we’re committed to inclusion, innovation, and helping every member of our community thrive including you. What we offer Early Career Teachers: Exceptional support in your first years of teaching You will receive structured development through national ECT programmes alongside personalised guidance from an academy-based mentor. A strong culture of professional growth From high-quality CPD to coaching and development opportunities, you’ll be supported to build confidence and refine your practice. Collaboration at every level You’ll have opportunities to work with other ECTs, teachers, and leaders across the Trust, sharing ideas, strategies, and excellent practice. Opportunities to contribute to inclusive education As part of our commitment to delivering outstanding provision for all children including those with Special Educational Needs you’ll help shape inclusive approaches that make a real impact. A Trust that invests in its people We are proud of our dedicated team across our academies. We aim to retain talented staff by offering pathways for progression, professional opportunities, and the chance to work across different settings as your career develops. and most importantly: The opportunity to transform children’s lives from the very start of your teaching journey. We are looking for the following qualities in applicants Must hold or will be gaining UK QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) The experience to confidently plan, deliver and assess the National Curriculum or Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. The ability to work flexibly and be reliable. A genuine passion for providing a high-quality education. Committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of children We can offer you: The opportunity to be part of our team, who are committed to educational excellence Friendly and supportive staff, parents, and trustees A commitment to high quality professional development Opportunity for future career development & progression within the Trust’s portfolio of schools, and most importantly The chance to transform the lives of children and really make a difference The Harmony Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all our staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS and pre-employment checks. Please visit our website at https://www.theharmonytrust.org/page/ect-pool/145145 for more information and to apply. Full details of the Trust’s recruitment and selection processes can be found in our Safer Recruitment policy: Safer Recruitment Policy A copy of our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies can be found here https://www.theharmonytrust.org/page/policies/62835Supporting Documents
↗ Job Description & Person Specification
Location
Harmony Street, , Oldham, OL4 1RR, United Kingdom
Job ID
14728
Supporting You Through Every Step of Your Journey
We want every candidate to feel welcomed, informed and confident when applying for a role with us.
This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to and understanding how to use AI responsibly.
You’ll also find information about our Greater Manchester commitments, including our inclusive employment schemes and standards, as well as tools to help you explore your potential pay, benefits and entitlements. We’re here to ensure you have the support you need at every stage.
Working for a local authority in Greater Manchester
Local authorities across Greater Manchester are proud to be part of a shared commitment to widening access to employment and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
These commitments span a number of long‑standing schemes and initiatives designed to open doors, remove barriers and ensure all applicants feel valued and respected throughout their employment journey.
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Our Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Greater Manchester People Inclusion Standards
Your Pay, Your Benefits, Your Future
Explore easy‑to‑use tools that help you understand your take‑home pay and how different employment situations may affect the financial support available to you and your household.
Calculate Your Take‑Home Pay
Use this salary calculator to estimate your net pay after tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
Estimate your Income Tax for the current year (Gov.uk)
Check Your Benefits Entitlement
See how changes in employment, hours or salary may affect your benefits and household income.
Turn2us Benefits Calculator
Applying Authentically With AI: Our Greater Manchester Approach
Across Greater Manchester’s local authorities, we want to hear your genuine experiences, skills and motivations, expressed in your own words.
To keep our recruitment process fair and inclusive, please complete your application personally and follow the instructions carefully. AI can be used to support you - for example, to help structure your answers or as a reasonable adjustment - but your application should still reflect your authentic voice. If you do use AI as a support tool, a brief explanation helps us ensure an equitable selection process.
Applications that depend too heavily on AI‑generated content may not progress to shortlisting.
This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.
What Is AI and How Do We Use It Across Greater Manchester?
AI refers to technology that can create or refine content, such as text, ideas, summaries, or planning. It can help improve productivity, problem-solving, and creativity.
We’re open to using innovative digital tools where they can help us work smarter and deliver better services for our residents. However, every use of AI is carefully considered to make sure it is ethical, responsible, and aligned with public-sector values.
When it comes to recruitment, we take a human-centred approach.
This means:
A trained hiring manager reads every application
Shortlisting is based on objective criteria required for the job
Interviews are conducted in person or via teams by the hiring manager for the role
All hiring decisions are made by hiring managers, not algorithms
AI does not make decisions in our recruitment process and our managers are being upskilled to spot AI in applications, particularly when this might have been used in a way that doesn’t feel genuine. If something in an application raises a question or concern, we will test this out with assessments or at the interview stage to confirm authenticity.
Our aim isn’t to catch anyone out but to make sure we’re getting to know the real you, giving every candidate a fair chance and finding the right person for the role.
Using AI in Your Application
When it comes to job applications, what matters most to us is you. We want to see your personality, your experience, and what excites you about joining our team.
We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.
We’re looking forward to hearing your story.
How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly
Your application is your chance to show us:
Who you are
What you can bring
The values you hold
Why you want to make a difference
AI can help you organise your thoughts or improve clarity but it cannot express your unique voice, experiences, or motivations.
AI is most helpful when used to:
Help you structure the information you are providing to evidence the criteria
Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors
Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something
But remember: your honesty, lived experience, and motivations are irreplaceable.
Do’s and Don’ts for Using AI in the Recruitment Process
Do:
Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement
Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure
Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice
Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience
Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself
Don’t:
Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application
Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have
Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements
Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice
