NQTS NQTS
No higher calling
Welcome to SecEd’s latest NQT special, produced in association with the NASUWT. As we approach the
end of the academic year, this eight-page special once again offers crucial advice and food for thought
to NQTs everywhere. We also look ahead to year two in September, when you will step back into the
classroom as fully fledged teachers. First, SecEd editor, Pete Henshaw, offers his congratulations
ear one is almost over. You have and remember. Just because you will be a fully
Y
almost finished what will be one of fledged teacher come September, does not mean you
the most challenging years of your will stop learning – you will never stop learning, next
career. My sincere congratulations year or in the years ahead as a member of what, in my
to you all. view, is the greatest profession there is.
While it is not about to get a as the late and great Ted Wragg once said, there is
whole lot easier next year, and no higher calling than that of a teacher.
while there are still many challenges ahead, reaching Here at SecEd, we salute every one of you on what
this point is a tremendous achievement, especially is a truly phenomenal achievement.
when you think back to your teacher training days.
I am sure most of you have your sights firmly
trained on the summer break, and your thoughts
NQT special: contents
strongly set on exactly how you are going to relax, • Below: Enforcing your statutory rights – the
unwind, and shake off the tension and pressures of the ongoing NASUWT campaign.
year. and quite right too. • Page 17: The 10 commandments for surviving
However, I urge you now to spare a few moments year 2.
to re-adjusting those sights and focusing your thoughts • Page 18: Behaviour management – an ongoing
a bit further ahead to September. challenge.
It would be wrong to say you will find yourself • Page 19: CPD – a key focus for year 2.
on your own when September and year two at the • Pages 20 and 21: Our experts look at what to
chalkface arrives, but you will certainly not enjoy the
expect in year 2, why you should already be
plentiful support that you should have had as an nQT.
thinking career paths, and other general CPD and
This eight-page special is geared up to offering you
professional advice.
food for thought and practical advice as you start to the year ahead of you. We also include a focus on career You cannot expect the difficulty of the job to get
• Page 22: The year that was – stories from NQT
think about September. development and hear from some of your fellow nQTs easier just because it is your second year, but you can
year.
From the seasoned advice of a second year teacher about their year so far. be sure that you have learnt a phenomenal amount
• Page 23: More about the support offered by
on surviving this tricky year to guidance on behaviour one important thing to remember, is that the in your first year and you will enter the classroom in
NASUWT.
– that ever-constant of issues – and a range of helpful challenges and pressure that will have beset you this year September more experienced, and more able to deal
A digital version of this edition, which can be printed
tips and hints from our regular CPD writers, the articles have beset most nQTs, and the worries and concerns with the pressures of teaching, and ultimately this will
or emailed is available from www.sec-ed.co.uk
are offering practical advice for here and now, and for you may have for year two are perfectly natural. give you the confidence to succeed.
Enforcing the law to
protect new teachers
During your NQT year, you should have had full access to
mentor, their experiences in other areas of provision can
leave a great deal to be desired.
your statutory rights and to full support from your school.
nQTs regularly report that the statutory provision
of a reduced timetable is not provided. This often
Sadly this is not the case for everyone. NASUWT general
goes hand-in-hand with a failure to provide their
contractual PPa time, which when taken together with
their induction time, should result in a maximum of 80
secretary, Chris Keates, discusses the union’s ongoing
per cent contact time.
In some cases, where time is allocated regularly it is
campaign to stop those schools that break the law
often eroded by activities such as cover, although from
September 2009 this should be a thing of the past with
the advent of the contractual change which means that
teachers rarely cover.
eaCHIng IS one of the best, routine and a rapport with pupils; receive regular Many nQTs report being observed, sometimes
T
most satisfying and worthwhile feedback and support on progress; and to receive early excessively so, but with no feedback or constructive
of professions. It is also highly warning of any perceived problems or difficulties with comment. Some are allocated classes of pupils who are
demanding and challenging. For this progress. Judgements on performance must also be known to exhibit extremely challenging behaviour even
reason, nQTs in england and Wales communicated in a professional and timely manner. with the most experienced of teachers.
have a number of statutory and other The induction period is intended to lay firm and The statutory rights and entitlements are provided
entitlements, specifically designed to positive foundations and provide an excellent start to for the very good reason that someone new to the
ensure that their induction year provides a structured professional development. profession needs such provisions to enable them to
introduction into the profession. Induction should be a mixture of support and become confident and effective teachers. There can, The writing is now on the wall for those who have
The experience in that first and important year can challenge for any nQT, and is designed to be so. therefore, be no real justification for failing to provide choked the enthusiasm and energy out of nQTs by
be one where schools harness, utilise effectively and Therefore, during this first year it is absolutely essential them. failing to give them the support during induction to
celebrate the enthusiasm, energy, commitment, new to have access to all of the statutory provisions Happily the government agrees with the naSUWT which they are contractually entitled.
ideas and talent that nQTs bring to the role. However, – provisions which are a legal entitlement because and as a result of our successful campaign, Is Your School There is, of course, still more to do. These new
it can also be a disappointing and demoralising experience shows they are essential to providing the Breaking the Law?, which highlighted the failure by provisions sadly will not address the continuing poor
experience. best start for a new teacher. schools to implement a range of contractual entitlements, practice of nQTs being placed on temporary contracts,
The best schools recognise the importance of The naSUWT encourages and seeks regular with the consequent negative impact on workload, often for no other reason than “to see how they
growing and supporting new teachers and, most feedback from nQTs to enable us to identify the working hours, morale and motivation, legislation in turn out”. Such contracts are disempowering for new
importantly, they recognise that nQTs need support, specific challenges they are facing and target and now going through parliament to address this. teachers, as they fear poor reports and consequent job
encouragement and working conditions that enable provide the support and advice needed. The apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning loss if they complain or raise concerns. Those who have
them to gain appropriate experience in their first school The union offers free seminars during august to (aSCL) Bill contains provisions for local authorities to been unable to access a placement for their induction
placement. prepare nQTs for their first teaching post, with follow- issue warning notices to schools to secure compliance year and work on supply often fare even worse.
It is for these reasons that nQTs have a range of up seminars throughout their induction year to provide with the Schools Teachers’ Pay and Conditions It is for these reasons that we continue to campaign
statutory provisions which schools are required by law opportunities for networking, sharing experiences document, associated regulations, performance for a guaranteed placement for all nQTs for the
to provide. These include a reduction in timetabled on induction, and professional development. The management and induction. duration of their induction period, along the lines of the
teaching, in addition to their entitlement to 10 per cent naSUWT has also carried out a five-year study into Schools which fail to comply face severe scheme which already operates in Scotland.
guaranteed planning, preparation and assessment time the experiences of nQTs. consequences, including the removal of their delegated nQTs are the future of the teaching profession and
(PPa); teaching only the age range or subject for which While most nQTs report positively on the support powers and replacement of their governing body. should be treated by employers as a precious resource
they have been trained; an induction tutor or mentor; they receive from more experienced colleagues, on the This represents a significant and important step not to be squandered. We will continue to campaign to
not routinely to have to teach classes or children with opportunities they are given to work regularly with the forward in securing the conditions at school level to secure this.
especially challenging discipline problems; teaching same classes in the age range or subject in which they enable all teachers, including those who are newly
the same class(es) on a regular basis to establish a had been trained, and on discussions with a nominated qualified, and school leaders to work effectively. • Chris Keates is general secretary of NASUWT.
16 SecEd • June 25 2009
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