Jess
Does any of the training stick in your mind/crop up in your current role?
A lot of my PGCE training still sticks with me and comes up in my teaching now. One thing that really stands out is the Outdoor Learning training we all had at Bewley Primary, where we cooked and learned skills in an outdoor kitchen and were exposed to ideas for lots of outdoor activities. It showed me how much outdoor learning can engage pupils. This also linked closely to my PGCE research project, which focused on outdoor learning and how to encourage it in schools. Since then, I’ve felt much more confident taking learning outdoors. For example, I’ve taken previous classes outside for Stone Age days, using practical, hands-on activities to bring the topic to life. I also remember some fun PE CPD at York St John, which boosted my confidence in teaching PE and it was also an enjoyable way to engage with other members of the course.
How do you think your placement schools prepared you for your current teaching job?
My placement schools prepared me well by fully immersing me in school life. I felt like a genuine member of the team, taking part in staff meetings and briefings and learning on the job. I was trusted to collaborate with teachers and take initiative, including running an art club, which helped me understand the wider role of a teacher and also get to know the pupils better. That experience meant I started my teaching career feeling confident and prepared for the realities of the role.
Do you have any funny moments you remember from your training year?
Working with children always, without fail, provides countless funny moments. They always made me laugh with their honesty, unexpected answers, and silly little ideas. My Y4 class still do on a daily basis! A memorable moment during my training was during my placement at Bader Primary School when there were rumours of a famous sport-related visitor coming to school with a TV crew. We didn’t really think it would be anyone famous, but it turned out to be Ben Stokes, a superstar in the world of cricket. Some pupils didn’t quite get the fuss, but it was such an exciting moment for everyone (me included!) It was broadcast on TV and there’s a photo of me somewhere blending in with the children, as excited as them!
Do you keep in touch with any of your fellow student teachers/colleagues from your placement schools?
I met some amazing future teachers during my training and mixed with a whole range of lovely people of all different ages and previous experiences. We enjoyed a fun Christmas staff night out at our placement school and enjoyed sharing our experiences during the fantastic days at York St John for our PGCE modules. Due to Covid, our time spent together as a cohort was cut a bit short but it was nice to meet back up at our graduation at York Minster and catch up about our teaching roles and life after training. We’re still connected on social media and it’s great to see that everyone has become fab teachers!
Did coming from Campus Tees help you to build any connections/help with any networking in your career?
I was lucky to have my home placement school at Junction Farm which exposed me to some great staff members and a wide range of connections across the Alliance. I have some contacts from Junction Farm still and it’s nice to know I could contact them to network or for advice if I ever need to. I now work in a different Trust, but it would be great to revisit my placement schools in the future and collaborate one day!
How was your NQT year?
My NQT [Newly Qualified Teacher] year involved a lockdown so hopefully future trainees’ ECT [Early Career Teacher] years won’t be quite as strange! It was tricky with Covid coming along part way through my PGCE training year. I actually visited the school I now work at for a walk around in March 2020 the week before lockdown. I then interviewed virtually via Microsoft Teams and got offered a teaching job without even meeting in person! It was nice to have a positive story to come out of a strange and tricky time in education. My NQT Year was extremely immersive and I loved it. I had a Y2 class, a spell of virtual teaching on Teams during lockdown in 2021and various things in between. I am lucky to have a supportive team where I work and even through NQT/ECT years are still very much learning on the job, I learnt so much in that first year and have taken so much forward into my current teaching career.
Have you had any involvement with student teachers in your current school?
Yes, the student who now works alongside me as the Y3 teacher in my phase team was a student with my colleague a few years ago. I would love to be a mentor someday too. My mentors were so supportive, such great models and taught me so much I’d love to share the same with a student.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of my job is the incredible variety it offers and the opportunity to make a real difference. Having your own class is amazing, and I just love creating a positive classroom culture where children feel safe and supported, and where they can explore topics with curiosity and enthusiasm (like history- I adore history and we’re currently loving learning about Pompeii and the Romans in Y4!) I like to refer to my class as my ‘team’ and building positive relationships with them and their parents and the school community helps me to do my job to the best of my ability. I also enjoy being able to be involved in our school choir and sing and perform alongside them! Teaching can be a mentally and physically demanding role but the rewards of seeing pupils grow, thrive, and enjoy learning make it worthwhile.
What advice would you give our current PGCE students?
The PGCE Year is a whirlwind so try to make the most of the experiences offered to you to gain as much experience as possible. Try to get stuck in or create your own extra-curricular clubs as they are great chance to share your passions and interests and get to know pupils. I’m passionate about supporting my colleagues to balance their workload and look after their wellbeing. As you become a teacher, it’s important to remember that you are the most important resource in your classroom. No amount of planning, marking, or perfectly planned lessons can replace the impact you have simply by being present, engaged, and supportive for your pupils. It’s so important to start building good habits early as you go into the profession. Carve out time for yourself and the things you enjoy, try not stay at school too late and remember that it’s okay to set boundaries. Teaching is an amazing and rewarding job, but it only works if you look after yourself and find a sustainable rhythm. Protecting your wellbeing is the foundation for being the best teacher you can be, both for your pupils and for yourself.
Campus Tees Schools Alliance
