“Wigan and West Lancashire Catholic School Direct is a teacher training course that offers trainees fantastic mentoring, support and training. Not only does the training course prepare you thoroughly for the role as a teacher, but the course also helps and supports you in securing a job. A Head Teacher from one of the partnership schools will check your application to ensure it is to a high standard and then you will be given the opportunity to take part in a Mock Interview Day. Although at first this seemed quite daunting, after receiving feedback from the Mock Interview I felt a lot more confident as I knew what my strengths and weaknesses were. The week later I had an interview at Holy Cross Catholic High School, which is one of the partnership schools, and I got offered my first job!”

A few Year 7 food tech lessons in and one of the pupils said to me, ‘Miss, do we pick our options in Year 8 now?’ to which I replied yes. He continued to tell me how much he was enjoying the lessons and was considering taking it as a GSCE. I circled the class passing his table a few moments later. I then over heard him saying to his class mate, ‘….and I can make cups of tea and hot chocolate.’ listing what types of food/drink he could make! Put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Upon completing the bird feeder in the resistant materials with the Year 7 class I explained they would need to contribute £1.50 to the materials if they wanted to take it home. Later that week there was an envelope in the Technology office with ‘Miss Aubrey’ written on it. Heart melted and I kept it! (just to be clear the envelope, not the money!)

One of the highlights of this course was the opportunity to take part in a mock interview process, starting at completing an application form for a teaching post,  moving to a mock interview with several local heads and finishing with valuable feedback relating to performance throughout the relevant stages. I consider  myself lucky to have attended a course which places great emphasis on developing trainees’ employment skills. Hopefully, this will help me to gain my first teaching position and,subsequently, assist me to further my career in the coming years.

During my first placement I taught a lower ability class with a lot of students that lacked confidence. One particular pupil progressed massively over the first term in both his knowledge and confidence. I sent a postcard home to the pupil’s parents to acknowledge this achievement and the pupil thanked me for noticing his efforts. It was very rewarding to see the pupil build his confidence within my lesson.

I have had many high points throughout my teacher training year (of course there have been low points as well!). My first Y7 football fixture is something I really enjoyed.  Apart from the fact we won the game – it was my first real opportunity to interact with students and parents in a more relaxed setting and I feel I came across quite well. I believe (hope) my team enjoyed playing and I endeavoured to give everyone minutes on the pitch – something I think the boys appreciated.  Alongside this – I have taken great enjoyment from the table tennis, football, badminton clubs that I run. They are good for building relationships and also having a good game with the more able students!