What I wish I had done in the first few weeks of my PGCE and placement
(I was SDS through Warwick Uni)
#edutwitter #teachertraining #NQT

1. Planned my weeks in advance, pencilling in uni days, key meetings, lessons, then adding in planning, marking, etc around that.

2. Not given up my hobbies. I’m guilty of throwing myself into work. I went from playing rugby and boxing six times a week to nothing. If I’d have done the above, I think I would’ve felt more comfortable giving myself free time.

3. Keep on top of filing. Be it uni notes, lesson plans, observations or meeting notes. Print them off ASAP and file them. It’s a pain but worth it in the long run.

4. Similarly if you know what your essay titles are in advance and reading for a week is relevant to your title, make sure you make those notes and cite them properly.

5. If your uni does a masters writing session/online presentation, do it now! I was guilty of leaving it to the last minute and not benefiting fully from these sessions.

6. Try get to know everyone at school’s names. You never know who might save your butt in a time of crisis. Especially TAs, cleaners, reception staff, lunch staff, reprographics. Life savers, all of them.

7. Observe as many teachers as you can. Everyone has a different style of teaching and BM which you can incorporate into your own practice.

8. It doesn’t need to be all singing or dancing and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. If there are lessons there, online, etc. Use them and tweak them as well as making your own. The key is making sure students have relevant information that helps them progress.

9. In that vein, ask for help from HOD and progress leads about assessment and feedback. What works? What doesn’t? What data matters?

10. Keep track of homework and marks. It’ll look amazing if at Parent’s Evening you have a lot of evidence to refer to, especially if you need their support with underperforming students.

11. Speak to parents early about positive things. I had my own classes from the off but didn’t take advantage of this until later in the year when I felt it might’ve been too late.

12. Know and love your TA or LSA if you’re lucky to have one. Speak to them before and after lessons about what you’re trying to achieve. Teamwork makes the lesson go so much smoother.

13. Get to know the trainees in your school or alliance. It’s lovely being able to have coffee or drinks with them after a trying day.

14. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Try not to burn the candle at both ends every day.

15. Be sure to eat and have water with you. No chocolate bars are not a suitable breakfast.

16. Find out your students’ birthdays, but them on a calendar and make a fuss of them when they enter the room. Likewise if you’re free and they’re playing a match at school, go see it.

That’s a lot to take in and probably completely irrelevant to lots who won’t teach solo for a while.

In short, time manage, eat, sleep, file, make sure you allow yourself free time for self-care, ask for help and build relationships.

Good luck to #PGCE starters for September. It’s the best decision you’ve ever made