Starting Out Guide For Newly Qualified and Trainee Teachers

Visit the school before the interview to see how the pupils are behaving!

Research the last Ofsted report and league tables to check out how the school is doing.

Prepare some questions in advance.

Search for information on school with Google.

Monitor your pre-interview caffeine intake to avoid the jitters.

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Yesterday's clothes still on today.

Forgot about that inappropriate statement/image on T-shirt.

Down zipper received a few giggles in class.

Unintentionally showing a bit too much skin.

Remnents of last meal discovered on outfit in class.

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Know the reason for the meeting. if you are clear about this is will stop you getting sidetracked by tales about the family holiday!

Make sure you have evidence of work to support your judgements. This will help to reduce conflict and illustrate you are acting in the best interests of the pupil.

Make a point of finding out about family issues before they arrive, for example ill health, unemployment, addiction or cultural differences.

Mix the good with the bad. Tell parents as many positive things about their child as you can while delivering bad news.

Listen as well as speak. Make sure you hear what the parents have to say as well, and repeat it back to them so they know.

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Be careful not to use someone else’s mug!

Try to talk to both teaching and support staff as it will demonstrate you value their support.

If you notice cliques, try to stay neutral. It’s important not to get drawn into internal disputes.

Mind the off-colour humour.

Check who is behind you when doing some job hunting on the staff room computer.

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I was inspired by one or more of my own teachers.

I like seeing that "ah-ha" moment in students.

I like the school environment.

My parent or some other person important to me was a teacher.

I heard the money and benefits were fantastic!

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Websites

Newspapers

Trade magazines

Job boards

Local Authority

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I was excited about it.

I was scared out of my wits.

I was incredibly shy.

The teacher couldn't get me to shut up.

I couldn't wait for the first day to end.

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Turn up the music.

Open a book.

Get a workout.

Meet my friends out on the town.

Scream and kick things.

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