Although you will be assigned a school mentor, you will be responsible for managing your own performance and training needs. If you identify any gaps in your training you will need to talk with tutors and your mentor about how you might gain the necessary experience. Your school mentor will carry out lesson observations and support you in your efforts to meet the standards required to achieve QTS. Before planning lessons, refer to the QTS criteria, which will increase your chances of delivering a higher-graded lesson.

The best way to learn about teaching is to get in the classroom. You will make mistakes but reflecting on what went well and what you can improve on is a crucial part of successful teaching. As well as reflecting on your own practice, you will need feedback from your mentor and other experienced teachers. While your mentor should highlight your strengths, he or she will also need to identify areas for development. It isn’t always easy to take criticism, but it is necessary if you want to develop as a teacher.

You may find yourself in the situation, however, where you feel the criticism is unjustifiably harsh or negative. If this is the case, you may wish to discuss this with your mentor or the observing teacher. If you decide to do this, it is vital to explain your position calmly and listen to what they have to say. They may well be unaware of how they are communicating and an honest chat may be enough to improve the situation. If the problem persists, you may need to discuss it with a senior member of staff or a tutor from your training institution.

If you are interested in school leadership the The National College for School Leadership website is a great place to start. The NCSL is responsible for developing excellent leadership in England’s 23,000 state schools through professional development programmes, strategic initiatives, support and networking opportunities.

The College exists to serve the development needs of school leaders – from aspiring school leaders to experienced headteachers and from school business managers to leaders of extended schools. For more information on the programmes available, visit the NCSL website.