Diary of an NQT
YOUNG CARERS YOUNG CARERS
The show that never ends...
OR SO it seems on a drizzly and grey, five-period should be upgraded to a class C drug in my opinion.
Tuesday. Summer is well and truly behind me as, One class’s riotous return this week resulting in me
this week, I hit my stride into a full-scale teaching having one boy removed, the rest back at break, and
timetable. a rather embarrassing intervention from an assistant
My ironically named “free” periods have been head that, unfortunately for me, happened to
taken up with me trying to traverse my be passing.
way out of the fort of unmarked books I Not that I’ll be taking it to heart.
precariously built up around me. I’m sure all NQTs are entrenched in a
This has been combined with “let’s test the new teacher” battle at the
other bureaucratic tasks that I’m moment; let this be the rallying cry
Burden
attempting to get used to that “forward as one”!
seem to form part of a “proper” In other news, my attempt to get
teacher’s week. It would seem involved with school life and get my
that there are just not enough face recognised a little around the
hours in the day now to spend school resulted in me going along,
planning the interesting and guitar in hand, to the staff band
varied lessons I prided myself rehearsal (watch out Ronnie Wood).
on during the trainee year. I’ve It turned out to be a great idea.
decided that NQT must stand for Apart from being very fun, it was
“Now Quit Trying”! a good opportunity to socialise with
Having said that, my stand-out other teachers, even if we do look like an
moment of the week was tricking eclectic collection from the opening heats
of care
my bottom set girls into an interest of X Factor.
for interviewing techniques, cunningly I now apprehensively anticipate our
disguised as Piers Morgan’s recent debut in the upcoming school concert,
television interview with Jordan (cue Shenstock.
engrossed silence from a group I Try as they might, it’s still too early in
normally associate with verbal the year for me to concede to cynicism.
diarrhoea). Although running on what must
My book choices also seem to be sheer adrenaline, or maybe just
be a success (many thanks go to my the teacher’s diet of coffee (I’m now
considerate colleagues for allowing me reconsidering lambasting the children for
first pick). Although it would seem that their Lucozade dependency), I’ve found that
this generation of young people don’t however tiring the week may be, I am making
read, and are strangely proud of it, a good it through to the weekend.
story keeps them entertained for hours, and The weekend where, true to my rock ‘n’ roll
a wise choice (fingers crossed) for a whole tinge to this week’s article, I shall be spending
half term. most of my time in bed – resting.
That’s not to say that all’s well at sea I’m afraid.
Lunchtime seems to have a strange effect on school • Matt Connett is a newly qualified teacher of
children; they are released into the playground as English at Shenfield High, a training school in
Jekyll and unfortunately return as Hyde. Lucozade Brentwood in Essex. He returns next week.
Moral support
Well done to all at TSN
I’VE ALWAYS felt that we Brits rather misinterpret If you haven’t visited our site, I really hope
the concept of humility. you do so soon. As the award recognises, there
Our cousins across the pond seem so much are a multitude of ways in which it can help you
better at enthusing about success; expressing joy at as a teacher. Whether contacting a coach through
achievement – whether their own or not – with great our online support services, accessing information
zeal and ease. On the Atlantic’s north eastern shores, through our InfoCentres, taking part in our Stress
we often seem too shy to be willing to celebrate Test or Wheel of Wellbeing, or reading about
the simple pleasure of witnessing something being developments in the press and in policy, the
done well; or, of even greater gratification, doing website will be able to help you improve your 13 per cent of those of primary school age and 27
something well ourselves. wellbeing and focus on teaching.
Dealing with
per cent of those of secondary school age are still
There seems to me something very misguided It was great for us to receive the Charity Times experiencing some problems at school.
about an ethos that somehow deems passion, glee, award. We were particularly pleased that, as a troublesome The research also suggests that when families
delight or enthusiasm to be bad or wrong and forces small charity, we triumphed over larger, better include someone with a disability, the family income is
us to cling to false modesty for dear life. Since my known and well resourced competitors.
pupils is par
likely to be lower than average and this may affect the
childhood, I’ve come across those who judge Here in the office, we are sometimes young person’s opportunities for further education.
“showing off” to be vulgar, but I believe too focused on the next project to Michelle Lineros is the national development worker
it is an enthusiasm for success that take stock of our achievements and
for the course
for the project. She told SecEd: “Young carers are likely
drives us all on to thrive and celebrate give each other the recognition to care for a family member who has a disability,
who we are both individually and that is deserved.
in teaching. But what
physical or mental illness or substance misuse problem.
collectively. From being in contact with Their caring role can be stressful and demanding and
Anyway, that’s probably enough thousands of teachers every year,
happens when there is
they might have difficulties completing their homework
justification for the unapologetic we also know that this is even on time or attending school.
boast that now follows: Teacher more the case in schools. With
a good reason for bad
“Many young carers attending secondary school are
Support Network has won an much of the media (SecEd being likely to be responsible for escorting younger siblings
award! one of the few noble exceptions) to primary school when the parent with care needs is
Earlier in September, some of so often focused on a negative
behaviour or attendance?
unable to escort them. This can present difficulties for
the team and I had the pleasure of perception of schools, pupils the older child.”
attending the Charity Times annual and teachers, it’s all too easy for Hazel Davis looks at Ms Lineros explained that there can be a stigma
awards ceremony. We’d been nominated us to forget about the wonderful attached to being a young carer as well.
for the “Best Use of Web” prize, achievements that take place every
resources for young carers
“Often many young carers keep their role secret
and were very flattered to be among day in schools across the country. as they fear bullying. Also, their caring role or family
some pretty esteemed company in In order to improve your illness can be the underlying factor for a young person’s
the category. wellbeing, why not take some behavioural issues or absenteeism, but this might not
Enjoying the posh nosh and fine time out this week to think about
wines laid on by the magazine and
chatting away with representatives
from other charities, it was a delightful
pleasure to hear our charity’s name
succeed the words “And the winner is...”,
‘
HEN I am at school, people always be known by their school.”
all the accomplishments that you She also believes that it is important to remember
have made during your career: that young carers are children first: “They need to
the lives you have improved, the have the same access to education and career choices
knowledge you have imparted, and as their peers. It is vital for teachers and other school
the aspirations that you have helped professionals to provide sensitive and flexible support
and I was proud to take the stage and accept your pupils – both current and former W
around me don’t understand
the situation I am in,” says
16-year-old James.
“For example, they
don’t know my mum is
disabled and they all think for young carers.”
the award – a weighty, glass shard, strikingly – to achieve? I am a normal person but, to be honest, I have more It is crucial, too for all schools to have a designated
engraved with our name – on behalf of the all The award we received this month responsibility than most people.” member of staff with responsibility for young carers,
of our team. reflects our own online achievements, but James, whose mum is blind, is one of an estimated she added.
It was truly wonderful to share the excitement the true pleasure that it gives us results from the 175,000 young carers aged 18 and under in the UK’s “It is vital for staff to be able to liaise with, access,
with several colleagues and our chairman, as well fact that we have been publicly recognised as schools. and refer the young carers to appropriate external
as with the amazing and very funny Terry Waite, effectively serving the wonderful profession of In 2007, he took part in a Teachers TV documentary agencies for support,” she said.
patron of Storybook Dads, their inspiring founder teaching. In the spirit of celebrating success, make by award-winning film-maker Vicki Psarias. The film Under current legislation – the Children Act 1989,
and chief executive, Sharon Berry, and Steve sure you let the accomplishments of teachers looked at the work of Jenny Frank and her team from the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, and the Carers
Kirk, Chief Executive of the Year nominee from together, and yourself individually, permeate your the Children’s Society with young carers. (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 – young carers
St Luke’s Hospital. thoughts this term. The Children’s Society’s Include project is funded can receive support from local and health authorities.
Presenting the award, Julie Howell, director by the Department for Children, Schools and Families Under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act
of PR at Fortune Cookie, commended the site’s • Julian Stanley is chief executive of the Teacher as an electronic resource to assist practitioners to 1995, young carers can ask for a needs assessment, but
interactive nature, content and production values, Support Network. Visit www.teachersupport.info or support young carers and their families. many are not aware that this is possible.
as well as the fact that it was produced on a call 08000 562 261 (England), 08000 855088 (Wales). The project cites research which suggests that Some practitioners claim that local authorities in the
modest budget. Moral Support returns in a fortnight. although there has been a gradual decrease in absence past have been reluctant to advertise this due to concern
from school among young carers since 1995, between about raising expectations.
8 SecEd • September 24 2009
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