Today I did a presentation on what it is like to go to Oxbridge to the highest achievers at GCSE who have just entered Year 12 and the goal was to inspire some of them to think about applying to Oxbridge and to try to stamp out the idea that people from Wigan don’t go to Oxbridge and that they wouldn’t like it. At the end, about 45 of them had ticked that they were interested in Oxbridge. Also, 2 of them had noted that I did Law at Cambridge and came to me at the end and said I’m thinking of doing Law at Cambridge and asked me a few questions! I’m looking forward to hopefully hosting a question and answer session for them all.

One week into my teacher training year and I want to already thank WWLCSD for a great start to the course. When I was interviewed in December last year I was asked the question “Have you ever embarked on a PGCE course previously?” I replied honestly (as it’s best not to be untruthful in an interview!!) that I had and that a few weeks into my first placement I had some rough circumstances at home and failed to ‘keep all the balls in the air’ and ended up dropping out.

During the introduction and start of this course I have thought about that time (I often regret having dropped out thinking I could be a teacher by now – although even with hindsight the circumstances at that time for me were pretty difficult and I still feel I did the right thing at that time). Anyway I think about that course compared to this one and can honestly say that WWLCSD is excellent in comparison! I feel like I know what I’m supposed to be doing, I know what’s expected, I feel completely supported, basically I’ve been given all the tools to give me every chance to become a great teacher. Even though we’re only a week in, I don’t feel ‘bogged down’ or stressed or worried about anything. I know there will be challenges. I fully expect it to get more intense as time goes on – but I feel that it’s very ‘do-able’ and the support will continue throughout. Thank you.

I teach two Y7 classes. In one there’s a pupil who has autism and diabetes and another who is also autistic.  I have found the best successes come when I get them involved in the lessons.

I ask one pupil to stand and choose things on the whiteboard and act as my assistant choosing other students for answers and ask for answers that I know they knows to boost their confidence. I then get the biggest smile which instantly changes your mood … but you can’t help but think you’re doing a good job when you see that smile 🙂

After a worrying start to the course where I was unsure of myself, I was gifted a wonderful year 8 class who were all engaged and wonderful throughout.  After teaching them for a number of months, they had all progressed in both their verbal and written skills and their test scores.  When I was leaving at Christmas they all brought me cards and presents to say thank you and that they would miss me.  What an amazing feeling!

I have come to teaching later after working elsewhere previously and it was a difficult and scary decision as to whether to make the change. There have been a few moments that have made me very glad I did, but today is the best moment yet.

I moved to my second placement early and took on an interesting class with lots of personalities and problems. They have been really challenging at times and I have not always had the easiest lessons and given them a hard time about deadlines and effort. Today was my last day on my current placement and the students bought me a present and a card with lots of lovely messages. I also received one card from a student who has been struggling with anxiety in my lessons who I have been working closely with to try and help her to overcome it. The message from the student said that I had helped her to overcome one of the most difficult times in her life. It absolutely took my breath away that I could have made that impact with such small gestures. There are not that many jobs that you make that level of difference and I have without a doubt made the right decision.