Now that it’s the end of term, I feel it’s an opportune moment to include an update on how my teacher training is going thus far (plus I actually have enough time to blog!). Two terms down, one to go – and aren’t I glad. School 2 is completely different to School 1 to the point when I was questioning whether or not I actually want to be a teacher. I’m not going to say anything too judgemental because I’m more professional than that and I don’t want any comments to come back and bite me in the bum five years from now! Let’s just say that this PGCE has made me realise which type of school(s) I’d rather work in – and I’ve surprised myself. School 1 is what many people would call a “challenging” school – indeed, when I told people which school I did my first teaching practice at, they’d say things like, “Well if you can survive there, you can work anywhere!” and “Rather you than me!” There are behaviour issues and attainment is generally low (BBC Education says 51% A*-C but I don’t believe that!) School 2 is a lot more academic, with a lot more focus on exam results. I thought, having come from a very academic background, I’d prefer a school where the children are brighter. But no, how wrong I was! The catchment area of a school really does have a great influence on what it’s like. Pupils at School 2 have a very different attitude to the pupils in School 1. In School 1 I felt like I could make a real difference to children’s lives and that the pupils really wanted to learn. I’d love to work in School 1, but unfortunately there are no job vacancies this year and there’s not enough money to create a post. Even for a physics teacher.
When I saw an advert for a physics teacher vacancy at another school in the LEA, I jumped at the chance. I didn’t feel optimistic when I applied though – somehow School 2 has knocked out any confidence I had in myself. I remember posting the application form – this was the first serious job I’d ever applied for. As in, a job that wasn’t a summer job. Lo and behold, a couple of days later, I got a phone call saying I had been shortlisted. I was so excited! I really wanted tot work in that school because I know the area and I know the pupils would be similar to those at School 1. When I went there, I fell in love with the place. The staff were warm, supportive and friendly and settled any nerves I had. (Having said that, my panel interview did not go very well…) I had to teach a lesson about Light to Year 8. And it went pretty well considering I’d never met the pupils before! (Note to self: remember how difficult it is to plan for pupils you don’t know!!) But as I said, the panel interview didn’t go very well. I was asked the general questions of “What would you do with a Year 9 pupil who was continually disruptive in your lessons?” and “How do you know if pupils have achieved learning outcomes?” I said all the correct buzzwords in the interview – Assessment for Learning, formative assessment, How Science Works – but somehow my nerves got the better of me.
I was so excited to get a phone call later from the Head of Science to say that they were very impressed with me and they’d like to offer me the post! I’m really looking forward to working there. Plus it gave me a confidence boost, something I really needed having been bashed about at School 2. School 1 thinks I’m a good teacher, my new school thinks I’m a good teacher – it’s just School 2. So now you’re reading the blog of Penglet, the new physics teacher due to start at Penguin High in July… 
