NQT FOCUS NQT FOCUS
Three months down...
Welcome to
to break in the years to come and, ultimately, you will
burn out.
SecEd’s latest
You all know that work/life balance is crucial, but
achieving work/life balance does not have to mean you
become less effective as a teacher.
NQT special
This section focuses on crucial guidance to help you
gauge where you are at with your teaching career so
edition. Over the
far, and to ensure you develop your career successfully
and healthily.
next eight pages, we are
our resident CPD and work/life balance guru,
Margaret adams, tackles three themes in the pages
ahead. First, she looks at where you are right now
focusing on crucial advice
– how you gauge the progress you have made and
where you should be after three months of classroom
and support for NQTs who
teaching (page 17, opposite).
She also looks at making time for yourself, ensuring
are three months into their
work/life balance, and how you should be preparing for
Christmas to make sure that you actually get a break
first year at the chalkface.
(pages 18 and 19).
another of our CPD writers, Dorothy Struthers,
looks at how to be assertive, a crucial skill that new
Editor Pete Henshaw
teachers can find hard, both in the staffroom and the
classroom (page 18).
looks at the key issues
elsewhere, we also focus on the experiences of
NQTs from around the country, as it is vital to remember
there are many like you out there and problems shared
ou are almost there! Term one are problems halved. We have SecEd’s weekly NQT
Y
is almost over and here at SecEd Diarist Matt Connett on page 17, who has written a
we extend our congratulations to stand still, but that is the way of things in school life one aspect I always notice is that quite often the one-off entry on his year so far, while SecEd chief
every new teacher out there for and every day you should accept that, do what you can NQT work/life balance battle is an internal one. reporter Chris Parr meets three NQTs and chats about
your undoubtedly tremendous in normal working hours, and leave the rest until the There are schools that do not support NQTs in the their first three months. He also speaks to a group of
achievements so far this year. next day. way they should, and flout the law when it comes to NQT induction tutors about their crucial role (pages
as you sit reading this in the It is hard, I know. However, just because teaching things like PPa (planning, preparation and assessment) 20 and 21).
staffroom or at home, you are probably feeling tired, is acknowledged as a tough profession, does not mean time and the various tasks that all teachers, not just Finally, we hear from an award-winning young
you are probably in a whirlwind of emotions with that you, as NQTs, should sacrifice your entire life to NQTs, should no longer be doing under the remodelling teacher who has some simple but effective ideas for
dozens of teaching-related thoughts buzzing through survive this most pressured and unique of years. arrangements. and this needs to be cut out (see the managing and surviving your NQT year (page 22).
your head about your new professional life. Work/life balance and your rights as an NQT to article below). ultimately, teaching is one of the most noble and
You will be thinking, as you often do, about recent support and guidance are crucially important if you are But equally, quite often it is your own demons that proudest of professions, and as you will have already
classes and how well they went, you will be considering to continue to develop and enjoy a long and successful you have to slay as well. You all want to impress and discovered, and will continue to discover, the highs by
what is in store next week, what marking you have to career. do the best you can. You all want every scheme of work far outweigh the lows.
do, you will be thinking about CPD, observations or That is why SecEd and the NaSuWT work together to be perfect and right now, in the youth of your career, Hold on to this. While you should acknowledge that
any number of other things that clog up the NQT in-tray to produce these regular NQT special editions. The you feel you have the energy to do this. the profession is tough and take measures to ensure you
every week. purpose of the articles within these pages are to provide However, this energy will not last forever and if you survive year one both professionally and personally, you
It is at this point that I want to emphasise one thing food for thought and to inform about how you operate get into a working habit now of spending all the hours should also celebrate that you are making a difference to
– teaching is hard, one of the hardest jobs there is. your working life, where you should be as an NQT, and of the day in your classroom and all your holidays and the future of this country. For that I applaud you and I
You may feel like you are constantly running to what rights you have as a new classroom teacher. weekends working and marking, you will find it hard promise you now, SecEd is behind you all the way.
Protecting your rights
The NQT year is tough – no arguments there. However,
had been trained, and on discussions with a nominated
mentor, their experiences in other areas of provision can
it is absolutely essential that in your bid to impress and
leave a great deal to be desired.
For too many, the statutory provision of a reduced
timetable is not provided. This often goes hand-in-hand
do the best you can, you remember your rights as an
with a failure to provide their contractual PPa time,
which, when taken together with their induction time,
NQT. Chris Keates explains
should result in a maximum of 80 per cent contact time.
In some cases, where time is allocated regularly it
is often eroded by activities such as cover, although
ovember 2009 saw the completion them to gain appropriate experience in their first school since September 2009 this should now be a thing of
N
of the Parliamentary process to placement. the past with the advent of the contractual change that
enact the apprenticeships, Skills, The statutory provisions include: means that teachers do not cover except in the very rare
Children and Learning (aSCL) • a reduction in timetabled teaching in addition to unforeseen circumstances.
Bill. The provisions of this new act an entitlement to 10 per cent guaranteed planning, Many NQTs report being observed in the classroom,
are wide-ranging and important, preparation and assessment (PPa) time. sometimes excessively so, but with no feedback or
but one section in particular • Teaching only the age range or subject for which constructive comment. Some are allocated classes of
marks a significant change for members of the school the NQT has been trained. pupils who are known to exhibit extremely challenging
workforce, including NQTs, in england and Wales. • an induction tutor or mentor. behaviour even with the most experienced of teachers.
From January 2010, schools that deny NQTs their • Not routinely to have to teach classes or children There can be no excuse or justification for failing to
statutory entitlements with regard to their contract and with especially challenging discipline problems. provide the statutory support that is essential to enabling
induction support will be vulnerable to a warning notice • Teaching the same class(es) on a regular basis to NQTs to become confident and effective teachers. The
from local authorities and severe consequences for non- establish a routine and a rapport with pupils. profession should not tolerate practices that choke the
compliance with the statutory provisions. • receiving regular feedback and support on enthusiasm and energy out of NQTs by failing to give
The NaSuWT campaigned for these provisions progress and receiving early warning of any them the support during induction to which they are
and is pleased that they have been secured. However, perceived problems or difficulties with progress – entitled contractually.
it is disappointing that they are needed at all and that judgements on performance must be communicated The new provisions in the aSCL act will make a
their introduction has been driven by schools that have in a professional and timely manner. real difference to practice in school. However, other
failed to see the importance of providing a high quality These provisions are intended to lay firm and continuing poor practice still remains to be addressed,
induction period for NQTs, and have undervalued those positive foundations and provide an excellent start to specifically the placing of NQTs on temporary contracts,
who are the future of the teaching profession. professional development. often for no other reason than “to see how they
Teaching is one of the best, most satisfying and The NaSuWT has an ongoing support programme turn out”. Such contracts are disempowering for new
worthwhile of professions. It is also highly demanding for NQTs across the uK and encourages and seeks teachers as they fear poor reports and consequent job
and challenging. It is for this reason that NQTs in regular feedback from NQTs to enable us to identify loss if they complain or raise concerns. Those who have
england and Wales have a number of statutory and the specific challenges they are facing. The union offers been unable to access a placement for their induction
other entitlements, specifically designed to ensure that free professional seminars during august to prepare year and work on supply often fare even worse.
their induction year provides a structured introduction NQTs for their first teaching post, with follow-up It is for these reasons that the NaSuWT continues
into the profession. seminars throughout their induction year to provide to campaign for a guaranteed placement for all NQTs
The experience in that first and important year can opportunities for networking, sharing experiences on for the duration of their induction period, along the lines
be one where schools harness, utilise effectively and induction, and professional development. of the scheme that already operates in Scotland.
celebrate the enthusiasm, energy, commitment, new The NaSuWT programme of support has been NQTs are the future of the teaching profession and
ideas and talent that NQTs bring to the role, or it can be informed by an extensive, in-depth, five-year research should be treated by employers as a precious resource
a disappointing and demoralising experience. study into the experiences of NQTs. not to be squandered. The NaSuWT will continue to
The best schools recognise the importance of While most NQTs report positively on the support campaign to secure this.
developing and supporting new teachers, and they receive from more experienced colleagues, on the
most importantly they recognise that they need opportunities they are given to work regularly with the • Chris Keates is general secretary of the NASUWT.
encouragement and working conditions that enable same classes in the age range or subject in which they Visit www.nasuwt.org.uk
16 SecEd • November 26 2009
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