Hi, my name is Luke and I graduated from Manchester PGCE in 2015. For me, the PGCE was the clear choice in terms of how to get into teaching. It provided me with the support both of my peers and my mentors. While I might have been extremely lucky with the people I was surrounded by, it has to be said that the people who supported me are the people who helped me succeed in the profession.

To my mind, the most crucial aspect of the PGCE is the importance that is put on personal reflection. With that in mind, you really take out of the course what you put it. There are people who help guide you through the reflection process, but for it to work you have to be prepared to take on the criticism and follow the advice.

After that first year I moved to London to a school which is nationally ranked top ten for progressing students. And is also a training school for NQTs. I chose this route to continue my development and see what techniques worked effectively to give pupils the best chance at those top grades.

Here I learned the importance of data handling and how effective teaching can look. With assessment being a crucial, in-built aspect of a lesson. This school really impacted me in terms of developing my AfL techniques and using that AfL to support my learners. I can’t stress enough how important it is to attempt to continue that development of teaching. Yes I love what I do. And that is my driving force. But to be an effective teacher. To promote commitment in learners. I believe you have to show that you are committed to be the best teacher you can be.

Looking ahead to next year, I have just accepted a job in middle management at a developing school in North Manchester. The reason for a change of schools is because of my desire to change location. It’s a big step and it’s going to be extremely difficult but again I’m being offered structured CPD which gives me that opportunity to develop continuously and promote positive learning.

For me, if you want to really succeed in teaching then you have to be so reflective about what works and what doesn’t. There’s no point in persevering with things that don’t work for your pupils. The other step is to push yourself. Really aspire to what you can be as a teacher. Take all the help and all the advice and learn from it. Try things. If they work, do them again. Finally, love your job. It’s the best thing in the world, teaching children. If you love what you do then you will want to be the best you can be at it.

Hope this is worth reading. I feel very preachy at this point. Many thanks! Good Luck to you all! You’re amazing! Luke

Related