Not only did Penny help me with chemistry, but she also helped me with my personal statement for my application to university. Within the session, Penny helped convert my ideas into cohesive sentences, and informed me what universities were looking for in a personal statement and helped me identify courses and universities which may have suited me. Thanks to Penny’s assistance, in both chemistry and my personal statement, I was able to secure a place at the University of Manchester to study Biomedical Sciences with a Modern Language.
Penny was there for me throughout my NQT, from beginning to end. We had regular meetings across the year, either on a one-to-one basis, or with my fellow NQTs. We would discuss our personal progress, receive coaching to navigate any hurdles or tricky areas, while also taking time to celebrate and reflect on successes. The forum that Penny provided was key to my development in that year, being a safe space to talk honestly without fearing judgement. We were treated like professionals, and the wisdom she imparted helped me grow. She was happy to offer her time above and beyond what I had expected, offering to come and observe lessons if I wanted help in a particular area, and was always at the end of a Teams message or email. Alongside the more formal processes of the NQT year, such as the paperwork, the informal discussions about career aspirations and routes of progression were a welcome motivational factor and showed that Penny cared about us starting our careers, not just jumping hoops to get through the NQT year.
Penny met with me once a week during my NQT year where we would discuss successes and teaching blunders throughout the week. This session gave me a lot of confidence as it reassured me that teaching doesn't have to be perfect, and Penny taught me that teaching is a skill that is constantly developed. Her exceptional organisation meant that I never felt overwhelmed, and she was the steady support that I needed as I learnt to become a more independent teacher whilst consistently meeting the teaching standards. I could approach Penny if I needed any advice on how to tackle tricky parents or manage low level disruption. The NQT year was quite a daunting prospect, but Penny ensured that I would be not only successful in my teaching that year but across my whole career.
Penny has been my ITTC (Initial Teacher Training Co-ordinator) and has been hugely supportive throughout this very intensive teacher training year. Penny has often gone above and beyond to help me, consistently meeting with me for 45 minutes every week to reflect, plan, organise and structure my time. Penny formally observed me on a number of occasions, as well as setting up opportunities for the Senior Management Team to come and observe me too. Penny’s vast knowledge and experience, not only as an ITTC, but also as a teacher has provided me with practical tips about organisation, time management, managing wider school commitments and how to tackle the tough challenges that have arisen for me on the apprenticeship route. Her advice, support and kindness has been invaluable to me this year and I am hugely grateful for all the time she has so generously given to support me through the year and helped me to gain a PGCE with QTS.
