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NQTs:
One of the hardest things you can do as an NQT is pick up a Y11 class in September. They are half way through the course, changing teacher, and you don’t know what they have/haven’t done...
DON’T PANIC!
One of the hardest things you can do as an NQT is pick up a Y11 class in September. They are half way through the course, changing teacher, and you don’t know what they have/haven’t done...
DON’T PANIC!
1. Try to talk with their old teacher. If not possible, chat with your HOD about the students and their needs...
2. Take what their old teacher or HOD has to say with a pinch of salt. Try to make decisions about students based mainly on what you SEE them do.
2. Take what their old teacher or HOD has to say with a pinch of salt. Try to make decisions about students based mainly on what you SEE them do.
3. Quizzes are your friend! Use low-stakes quizzing to get an idea of what they DO know and where the gaps are.
4. Give them a piece of timed literature writing and a piece of timed transactional writing. Independent. In silence. Use this to find out what skills to focus on.
4. Give them a piece of timed literature writing and a piece of timed transactional writing. Independent. In silence. Use this to find out what skills to focus on.
5. Give them the opportunity to TELL YOU what they think they need in their own words. I do a ‘Dear Mrs Webb...’ postcard and they can tell me honestly what they have forgotten, or feel nervous about...
6. Use all of this information to make a plan.
6. Use all of this information to make a plan.
7. Long term planning is HARD and complicated - I would STRONGLY advise that you chat about it with a more experienced colleague and ask their opinion about how to approach some things. This is a really meaningful use of a couple of your NQT mentor meetings!
8. Teach to the top - set your bar high - look at examiner reports and sample material. Also, ask your department if they have any strong exemplar essays to share from previous students.
9. Don’t allow students to engage in teacher bashing of their previous teacher, even if they have now left the school. It’s not classy. Support our profession and remember that you can never know what the previous teacher did or why, because you weren’t there.
10. Do your best but remember, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t even have a whole year with them - you can achieve lots, but you can’t study FOR them, and you can’t write their exams yourself! Be kind to yourself and don’t be afraid of reflecting on mistakes.
...ask for help. It will come. If you are in a small team or can’t ask in your own school, ask @Team_English1 and ye shall receive 
