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Chloe reflects on how to manage stress during the training year

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I spent the last two years completing a full-time degree, working a full-time education job and being a full-time Mum to two under-twos. In lockdowns, with REAL second- and third-year degree examinations. I thought coming into teacher training I had it made, this was going to be an absolute breeze.   I was wrong.    I can’t express the multitude of emotions that are experienced on this course. I can’t express how worthwhile teacher training is, and how amazing the experience is, but reflecting now, I wanted to address those lows, and how best to deal with them effectively and productively.      Reaching the half-way point was a monumental moment in our training. Although we were online and together through Microsoft Teams (if you imagine that in time to Together in Electric Dreams, for those of us who are old enough), I remember the cheers and clapping as we celebrated this step. Outside of this though, I noticed across my fellow trainees a ripple of sadness, struggle and stress. Anyon
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When excellence comes knocking – a reminder of why we do, what we do

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As a provider of Teacher Training we are of course starkly aware of our responsibility to recruit the next generation of quality teachers.    We see it as a privilege and a joy to work so closely with the people who are going to become our next cohort of experts in the classroom, our future leaders, the personalities who are going to inspire, encourage, reassure and guide a generation of children whose education may look very different to our own.     It's always a pleasure to meet our applicants and they all bring something different to the table. We look forward to our interviews and there is always a sense of anticipation in the office on interview days.    We love seeing how enthusiastic the subject staff are who come to help out – they are often even more excited than we are, knowing that this person might become part of their team for the year (or sometimes even longer!).     It is great to be back to face-to-face interviews for a while. Covid has restricted us to Zoom and Te
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Ollie reflects on the first half of his teacher training

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Woooaaaaahhhh, we’re halfway there! (in the style of Bon Jovi)   Every so often this year I have found myself looking back on the year, wondering how I managed to get so far through the course and, as we’ve reached the halfway point in the year, I am feeling particularly reflective (what a treat for you all).   With several teachers in my family, I knew that teaching and teacher training in particular would be a full-time job and that it would likely eat into my spare time especially as I worked out the strange details that go into planning and delivering a good lesson to around thirty 11-16 year olds. I felt optimistic: I’ve completed two degrees which I worked alongside to make ends meet so I’ve done the whole balancing academia and job thing; it should have been relatively simple right? Wrong.   Starting out and finding my feet   It turns out that after waiting nine months for teacher training to start and attempting to re-learn everything that goes into GCSE and A Level English tha
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Carina shares her experiences of mock interview day

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Applying for jobs can be daunting at the best of times.    Applying for jobs in education is another kettle of fish.    This Wednesday, our SCITT weekly focussed on the big scary world of applying for our first posts as teachers. Not only did we get a session on where to look, how to look etc, we had the opportunity to meet with heads/deputies within the Redhill Trust for some one on one interviews with a great big emphasis on feedback.   (Hashtag reasons my SCITT is better than yours)   This incredible session also gave us starting tips and the tools for creating cover letters, filling out application forms and how to answer all the tricky interview questions.    Personally the day brought so much positive and constructive feedback. Before this session I felt truly overwhelmed at the idea of searching for jobs and attempting to apply for roles but Wednesday allowed me a lot of breathing and thinking space.    Though I feel we are lucky to have not had to teach online through this pand
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Josh looks back on his first term of teacher training

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  Before I blabber on about my first couple of terms as a trainee teacher, I have to give a shout out to Maemae, Carina and Neil for their amazing blogs. Mine will not be as eloquent.  MaeMae, you were absolutely right when you said there should have been male representation at the ‘Being a Woman in Education’ workshop at the DEI conference. I hope you have felt supported by not just your male colleagues at work, but also the ones on this course. Keep making a difference and spreading that message, I promise people are listening and that we are allies. I definitely do not want to be your enemy!   Carina, your takeaways on how we help our society to become more inclusive is critical. I have no doubt that you have been successful with your teaching and also promoting a better culture of language and attitudes around the LGBTQ+ community.    Neil, you are legend. It takes some guts to effectively start over again to do something that makes you happier and brings you fulfilment. You also g
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Neil reflects on starting teacher training in his 40s

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  Why you won’t find me trying to look like Elvis   I’ve often thought about grabbing a bottle of Just for Men. Then I remember that my dad did the same thing, once, and ended up looking like Elvis Presley.   I’m sensitive about my age and I’m not even that old – I’m 43. The silver hair, as I’ve been told, gives the game away. But I should rejoice in this, if that’s all it is that makes me look more mature.    I’m a bit less anxious and neurotic than in my teens; I’m physically healthier than I was in my twenties; I’m fitter and stronger, now, than I was in my thirties. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink that much - my skin is grateful for both. I have a zest for life. I still wear Adidas Gazelles.   My age never used to be an issue in my previous life. There were six of us who started at the BBC at the same time as twentysomethings. We celebrated landmark birthdays together; we went to each other’s weddings; we celebrated the arrival of our children. The anxiety over leaving and then later
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Lucy shares her tips for juggling ITT and parenting

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