Where are they now? Catching up with our former trainees in their NQT year

It’s been a whirlwind! Since completing my PGCE year in June last year, so much has happenedand it’s almost surreal to find myself half way through my NQT year here at All Saints Catholic College in Dukinfield.

I suppose the best thing about being an NQT is the autonomy I have in planning and teaching – there’s so much freedom to try new things out and take risks. It’s great knowing that even if new strategies and ideas don’t work perfectly, I can make adjustments and try them again. Another major positive has been the support I’ve received here in school, which has been incredible. As well as a really solid NQT programme there have been numerous opportunities to see best practice in school and get ideas from others. ‘

‘I’m still in touch with most of the 2018/19 History PGCE cohort and we’ve been meeting regularly. The majority of us got jobs in and around Greater Manchester, meaning that as well as having people to contact for ideas and resources, there’s also a good network of us for socialising.’

‘A couple of us are due to visit UoM in March 2020 to deliver a session on navigating the last term of the PGCE year. For me, this was one of the more challenging bits of the course; job applications, assignments and an increased teaching load meant that I was pretty busy, so it will be nice to share ideas with the current trainees. We’ve stayed in close contact with Tom, the subject leader too. Not sure how impressed he was when my team, Wolves, dismantled City at Molineux though! My advice to current PGCE trainees would be to prioritise teaching and make sure you use social media [and your colleagues] to grow your bank of resources and ideas. There’s so much good stuff out there and there really is a community of History teachers beyond your immediate surroundings’

‘I guess the biggest challenge this year has been the increased teaching load – I’ve got a couple of five period days. Honestly, you don’t know what tired is until you’ve done one of those! The sense of satisfaction is amazing though’

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