Diary of an NQT
KNIFE CRIME KNIFE CRIME
Come rain, snow, or shine!
HOW WOULD this week’s entry not be complete unfold, so from the outset I have given them a work
without talking about the snow I ask myself? email address for this specific task. I am pleased to
The last week or so has certainly brought the say that it is working a treat (no heavy spam yet!).
memories flooding back from my old school days. It means that I can give individual targets in and
I remember when the snow hit during my out of class to each pupil, and then they can
time at school – by the time school was email me their work so that constructive
called off, the majority of kids had feedback and further direction can
already battled to get there and were commence.
having to hold tight while waiting It makes checking that they are on
for the news to be announced. task and heading in the right direction
It took until breaktime for us to be so much easier, and this will surely
told that we were being sent home. If have a knock on effect of not taking
I remember correctly, as soon as the loads of time away from me, or them,
announcement was made, the snow- during the half-term.
filled shenanigans ensued. The students’ dedication was
I remember thinking last week illustrated during last week’s blizzard,
that if technology was back then as it is when out of 40 or so pupils, nearly half
today, I am sure I would have got back were in contact during the two “snow”
the precious morning period that was days that our school had.
“lost” to me at the time! The drive of one was admirable
However, at least technology – after the “ping pong” of a few
enabled me last week to save any emails over the day, I told her that
wasted time. As the snow fell, the she should make sure she gets out
communications network kicked in, in the snow and have some fun.
preventing dangerous trips through The reply was along the lines
the icy streets for teachers and of: “I’ve had enough for one day!
students alike. It’s too cold. Hopefully tomorrow
Anyway, we’re back to normal we can come to school as I don’t
now and at the moment my two year want to miss the sociology lesson!”
11 sociology classes are bang in the middle Model pupil or what!
of their coursework. For a lot of them, a good Also I have got the odd email at 2am! I’m
performance now will more than likely make the yet to pass full judgement on this, but it’s a
difference of a grade overall. clear indicator that the work will be submitted
The nature of coursework, coupled with mixed- whatever the time – or weather – may be.
ability groups, inevitably means that all the pupils are
at different stages, and so monitoring and mentoring • This year, our weekly NQT diarist is Charles
them through this is somewhat troublesome. Aubeeluck, a qualified citizenship teacher who
Fortunately, before we started, I was already teaches sociology and health and social care at
thinking that these issues of management could well Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in west London.
Moral support
You are not alone
AS YOU will know, life in several areas of the at supporting NQTs and trainees, is one of our most
country was severely disrupted last week after a popular resources and we have distributed hundreds
freakish collision of hot and cold fronts ensured the of thousands of copies over the last few years.
dramatic descent of arctic conditions on communities The guide offers expert, comprehensive advice,
across Britain. tailored specifically to help address the unique
As someone who remembers such snowy days as a challenges of trainees and NQTs. As well as advice
regular feature of my childhood, waking up to find the on areas such as finding a job and managing money,
fields and streets frozen and white never fails to raise a it also offers deeply practical tips over issues such as
sentimental smile; prompting tender reminiscences preparing for the first day, or understanding the
of sledging on Wimbledon Common and politics of seating in the staffroom.
building larger than life snowmen with my By moving the guide online, we have
family. Such days bring back that strong not only made the information universally
sensation of pure joy that snow seems accessible, but have been able to add
to cause in children: the feeling that some vital new features based on
for one rare, cold, joyful afternoon, the experiences of our coaches and
the rules of normal life have been counsellors in their interactions with
entirely cast aside. trainees and NQTs. One of the
Once I’d had a chance to listen problems most commonly felt by
to the news that morning, the scale such teachers is a strong sensation
of the bad weather – and its impact of isolation and loneliness amid
on transport and workplaces across their busy, new school community.
London – became apparent. Almost The challenges of teaching can
all of the schools close to me were be overwhelming in themselves but,
shut. Despite a fleeting temptation unfortunately, many schools find
to forget the responsibilities of the day themselves unable to provide sufficient
and participate in London’s growing emotional and practical support to new
faction of authorised truancy, I had teachers, leaving them feeling alone and
a comparatively easy journey to vulnerable.
work and managed to trudge By enabling visitors to the
through the snow to our office. Starting Out Guide to add their own
The impact of the weather comments to every section of the
on our own organisation site, to share their experiences and
became apparent as the discuss new ideas, we hope that
morning went on. By 9:30am both NQTs and trainees will find
I was still the only occupant a sense of community among their
of our new premises in equivalents in other schools.
Highbury, and by 10am had We hope every training, serving
fielded several calls from those or retired teacher across the country
incapacitated, with Tube lines realises that there is never any need
affected and buses out of action. to feel alone: our trained coaches and
For a few surreal hours, I was alone in counsellors are available 24-hours-a-day,
our normally bustling office, surrounded seven-days-a-week via our Support Line and
by abnormally quiet and bright white streets online services to help with any problem.
outside. Although occasionally grateful for We also believe that the new site in particular
the novel sense of tranquillity, it also made will ensure trainees and NQTs realise that
me think a little about the unsettling nature of they are not alone in experiencing these problems;
isolation. Although a quiet day, even the more routine that it is okay to feel worried and find their jobs
and menial tasks of my schedule represented a greater challenging, and that through communicating with
burden without the company of my colleagues. Being those in the same situation, they can help overcome
alone that morning was a very unusual episode and their problems.
only true in a momentary, physical sense. Isolation can Even if, like most of London last week, new
be much more difficult and harmful when effecting teachers are snowed in, we hope the site supports them
people emotionally and in the long-term. in their challenging but highly rewarding careers.
As well as heralding such unusual levels of
snow, last week also saw the launch of Teacher • Patrick Nash is chief executive of the Teacher
Support Network’s new, online Starting Out Guide Support Network. Visit www.teachersupport.info or
(www.newteachers.info). call 08000 562 261 (England), 08000 855088 (Wales).
The written version of the guide, which is aimed Moral Support returns in a fortnight.
8 SecEd • February 12 2009
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