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FEATURE


STARTING OUT

Hundreds of newly qualified teachers have been able to make a confident start to their careers thanks to the practical advice and support offered by the NASUWT at its national Preparing for Your First Teaching Post seminars.

New teachers were invited to attend the Union’s programme of one-day events, held across the UK over the summer. Each seminar offered a comprehensive package of professional development and support from a range of experts on issues relevant to newly qualified teachers, including induction, behaviour management and classroom practice.

Party games

Choosing the guest list for your big party may not sound an obvious route to successful classroom management but party planning helped delegates to consider how to deal with their own fears and those of their students at the start of the new school year.

Each delegate had a number between one and ten pinned to their back, ten conferring the highest status and one the lowest. Without any knowledge of their assigned number, delegates were asked to invite colleagues to a fictional party they were throwing, aiming to attract the highest status attendees as possible.

While those with high numbers revelled in their popularity, less lucky colleagues were left with empty diaries after failing to secure many invitations. The exercise aimed to demonstrate the importance of ensuring that all pupils are valued and equally recognised in the classroom and led into a discussion about the use of seating plans and the value of setting clear expectations on pupil behaviour, learning and conduct from the outset.

Suzanne Nantcurvis, NASUWT National Executive Member, told delegates in Birmingham that building a positive relationship with pupils was the key to classroom success: “You need to instil in your students the idea that they are engaged in a learning partnership with you and their classmates. Set out clearly what you will do for them and what you expect in return and show them that through observing these rules, you can achieve together.”

Behaviour tips and tricks

The message of collaboration was echoed in the eagerly anticipated and enthusiastically received behaviour management workshop, which was led by Moyra Healy, a behaviour management expert with over 30 years’ experience of teaching.

She told delegates that their job was to enthuse children about education and support them to become good learners.

“For me, education is very simple. I want to make my children thirsty for learning so they want to drink from the fountain of education,” she said.

She outlined many of the strategies she uses to achieve this goal, including the use of assertive and confident body language and reward schemes to ‘hook’ pupils into learning.

Despite her long career in the classroom, Moyra has never lost her enthusiasm for her students and the job, telling delegates they had chosen to join “the best profession in the world”.

Quoting John Baptiste de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers, she said: “You have been chosen to touch the hearts and minds of those entrusted to your care and that is a very special and wonderful gift.”

Uncertain outlook

Today’s newly qualified teachers are entering the profession at a time of great change and financial constraint and the seminars offered delegates a chance to find out more about how the political landscape is affecting education and share their concerns.

Delegates heard about the campaigning work being undertaken by the Union to protect teachers’ pensions and pay across the UK, as well as pressing for a guaranteed placement for every newly qualified teacher in England, Northern Ireland and Wales to complete their induction year, in line with the provisions in Scotland. The Union’s opposition to the Government’s policy on academy and free schools was discussed and it was emphasised that regardless of the NASUWT’s deep concerns about the creation of these schools, the Union is completely committed to supporting all members working in them.

Protection and support

Delegates were reminded of their rights and responsibilities during the all important induction/probationary year, including the right to a reduction in teaching time to support induction activities, effective and developmental support from an induction tutor and not to have to teach classes outside their subject specialism or age range.

Above all, delegates were reminded that the NASUWT is there to offer guidance and support at any stage of their careers.

Speaking to delegates in Birmingham, Paula Roe, Junior Vice- President of the NASUWT, said: “You have made the decision to join the largest teachers’ union and always remember that whatever you go through in your career you have the support and backing of over 280,000 members.”

For further advice and guidance on issues affecting newly qualified teachers, visit the NASUWT website at www.nasuwt.org.uk/newteachers.