Many months ago, towards the end of my second teaching practice, I vowed to get my paperwork in order during the summer holidays. My study (which I’m so glad I have!) resembled a bombsite – it got the the point where I had to relocate to the dining room because I couldn’t even see my desk! Gone were the days of inviting people over – the dining table housed my laptop and printer and was strewn with lesson plans. But the first two weeks of the holidays were spent religiously tidying and sorting. All the paperwork I doubted I’ll need was thrown into a big box marked “PGCE stuff” and was (loving) placed in the attic, all my paper resources were filed by both subject (i.e. Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Key Stage and my laptop and printer finally moved back home. I had indeed forgotten my study has a desk in it!
Now that I have well and truly finished my teacher training, I can safely say it was the toughest year of my life so far. I thought my Master’s was difficult – it didn’t compare to a PGCE! I honestly didn’t find the assignments the difficult part, nor the fact I didn’t see friends during the week. The way I thought about it was that I didn’t go out after school when I was a pupil, so it wasn’t much different – socialising was left until the weekend. Planning lessons was a chore but it wasn’t too painful. What made my PGCE difficult was the relentless bullying I faced at School 2. In hindsight, I honestly think that’s what it was. I think they didn’t like the fact that I was going to leave. I was the only person under 40 in the department as well, which didn’t help me. But what got to me was the constant “We don’t agree with the PGCE – the only way to train is training on the job” attitude. I mean, why sign up to be a link school if you don’t agree with the programme? When I started at School 1 my managing mentor said to all the PGCE students: “The departments you’re in really want you – we haven’t just done this for the money because we don’t actually get that much!” I didn’t realise the significance of her words until I started at School 2.
But things have brightened up since I started at Penguin High. The department’s younger, more relaxed and open to new ideas. Its science specialism is great as well because it makes you feel important. And Science departments should feel important! I really feel like I’m part of something great there and I’m so glad to be part of the team. I know my NQT year will be tough and I’ll face even more challenges (although I think the jury’s out as to whether the NQT year is tougher than the PGCE year) but I’m ready for it – bring it on!
P.S. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank my ever-supportive parents, family and boyfriend for the love and advice over the last year – I simply couldn’t have done it without them. Back in 2007 when I was applying for the PGCE, a friend who had just started it told my boyfriend he’d only see me at weekends. I felt bad about this but he said he didn’t mind as he was so proud of me for following my dream. That’s the kind of guy he is.
