Future Teachers Programme - Anna's Story

What motivated you to join the Future Teachers Programme? 

I was first motivated to join the programme when I was looking for different pathways into teaching that wasn’t the PGCE route. I was looking at going into teaching as a career change and wanted to see if it was the right route for myself before committing to course and career move. The programme really appealed to me as you are able to get used to the school environment, interacting with students and learning how to teach in a lower pressured environment compared to either PGCE placement or another teacher training route. I wanted to be able to learn the skills of classroom management without the added stress of learning curriculum content at the same time. 

How did your role help you understand classroom teaching? 

Being a cover supervisor for the past year has helped hugely in developing my presence in a classroom, I had never stood in front of a classroom of children before then and been expected to be able to get them actively engaged in learning, manage their behaviour and develop positive relationships with the students as well. By being a cover supervisor, you are able to be in contact with so many more students than the subject teachers which helps develop lots of relationships with a wide range of students. This has helped hugely in how I have been able to work with students to help them be in the best possible position to learn. These skills will be invaluable in my training year as a trainee teacher next year and in the years to come following by PGCE and QTS qualifications. 

What skills have you developed during your time in the programme? 

I have developed a number of skills whilst in the programme, most notably being my behaviour management procedures during lessons. During lessons, being able to develop the skills of managing students’ behaviour and being able to deliver content in a manner that makes them motivated to learn has been fantastic. I have been able to improve these skills as the academic year has progressed as I get more experience within the classrooms but also using the content that is given to us in the modules to do alongside. 

How effective was the support and mentoring you received? How has Teaching Personnel supported you? 

Teaching personnel has been a huge support to me over the last 6 months. I felt like a very valued member of the programme and part of organisation. The support from individuals within the organisation, most notably Ben, has been second to none in being a sympathetic ear whenever there was an issue that needed discussing. When more serious issues arouse during my time, Ben was always there to have a good discussion with and was always able to provide many solutions to issues, so I did not stressed or alone at any points. The support from the organisation has been tremendous with extra modules and content to learn to help support my progression as a cover supervisor and also advice on how teacher training applications when that was required. 

What challenges did you face while working in a school environment, and how did you overcome them? 

I think the biggest challenge I have faced whilst being in the school environment is developing lasting positive relationships with the number of different students you come across as a cover supervisor. Having not worked in a school environment or with children for long periods of time it was an adjustment learning how to interact with them in a professional setting and one where you are expected to the word of authority as well as emotional support a lot of the time. I have overcome this by making sure I am consistent in the behaviour I exhibit day after day, as children thrive best on consistency so if they know they will get the same empathetic, active, and caring ear no matter the situation you find yourself in they become more confident and engaging with you each interaction you have. Seeing the change in how the students respond to you the more you interact with and build those positive relationships has been wonderful to witness over the last few months. 

How has the programme influenced your decision to pursue a teaching career? 

I joined the future teacher programme as a test case in some aspects. With the security you have of not paying any fees like in a PGCE or other teacher training programmes, it gave flexibility in case I found the teaching environment too overwhelming or trying to teach children was not my passion, I could find something else. However, what this programme really showed me was how rewarding this profession is. The programme showed me that I am much more resilient than I realise and that giving children knowledge not just in the curriculum subjects you teach, but in the way you can help shape their world view and help them become young adults and members of society is the most rewarding job I have ever done. 

Looking back, what has been the most valuable part of your experience in this programme?

I think the most valuable part of my experience on the future teacher programme has been the experience I have gained from being able to immerse myself the school from day 1. Being able to live the school life as a cover supervisor has been extremely helpful in getting used to the education system and crucially being able to interact with lots of different students across the cover system so you can learn more about the cohort and develop more relationships than subject teachers who have limited classes can. A further valuable piece has been the module work and CPD the programme has developed which you can study flexibly across the terms. The content they have gathered in these modules has provided a good foundation of skills that I can build upon for both the teacher training year and beyond.