P25

Teachers networking

The NUT’s young teachers and national education conferences at Stoke Rochford Hall are popular events. Three first-time visitors share their experiences.

Dave Kubenk is a science and biology teacher at Copland Community School, Wembley, London. He went to the young teachers’ conference.

“I’m the young teachers’ rep for my local NUT association and they suggested I go to this year’s conference so I could meet other young teachers.

On Saturday speakers included Melissa Benn. She was amazing. There was an academies workshop and one called ‘Does class affect your class?’. Both were really interesting.

The next day we met in groups to knock about ideas on taking action to defend pensions. Kevin Courtney spoke; I thought he was great.

Although we were there for some serious work, it’s nice to wind down too. There was karaoke and a disco on Saturday night with really good music – it was a great laugh.

There was real camaraderie. It was great to meet other young teachers, and find other people going through similar situations at work.

I was elected on to the conference steering committee so I’ll be helping organise next year’s event.”

Laura Jane Fisher is a drama teacher, school rep and the young teachers’ officer for Wakefield NUT. She went to the national education conference.

“I am no stranger to Stoke Rochford but this was my first NEC. I’ve been on courses here before – it’s great, like a home from home.

I found it wonderfully inspirational and enjoyed listening to the Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Downes’s talk on whether the Government’s education reforms will help us raise achievement for all pupils.

As a drama teacher, I was very interested in what Alf Wilkinson, Professional Development Manager of the Historical Association, had to say about cross-curricular subjects.

A workshop on the secondary curriculum made me better prepared for where we are going in education and the challenges to be faced.

Teachers get few treats but Stoke Rochford is one of them! It makes you feel special – and I will certainly be coming back next year.”

Louise Oakden is a textiles teacher at St Martins School, Brentwood, Essex. She also went to the National Education Conference.

“This was the first NEC I’ve attended. I found the whole weekend completely enjoyable and informative.

The workshop I went to was entertaining – run by Opposite Leg & Co – all sorts of warming up and vocal exercises and practising voice projection without harming your throat.

My head of department came too; she said her workshop on the secondary curriculum was brilliant.

The food was great and the weather beautiful – the itinerary gave us all some time to relax in Stoke Rochford’s lovely grounds. I will certainly be coming back next year.”