What was your position at your school before starting your training, how long had you been there and what did it involve?
I started working at Hopedale as a teaching assistant, following a three-year course at university studying childhood, family studies and sociology. Within this course I’d completed placements in school settings, as well as volunteering at a Sure Start setting. During my interview I expressed that I’d be interested in teaching and this was recognised.
After a year as a TA, I had an interview and got promoted to become an HLTA, working in a range of different classes delivering PE and social skills as my main subjects, as well as covering staff PPA and absences.
I was approached by the headteacher and offered the opportunity to enrol on the Straight to Teaching programme – at which I was overjoyed – and I started the following September.
Why did you choose to study with Tes Institute?
The Tes Institute course allowed me to achieve my QTS while working within my school, which was a huge positive. This meant that I didn’t have to leave the place that I loved to work, and also struggle financially during another university course.
I had previously been a TA in a classroom with another staff member who was completing his Straight to Teaching course. He had expressed how the course helped him to achieve his goal to become a teacher, and the support he had received throughout it.
Working in the classroom with this staff member allowed me to see the interaction that he had with his mentor, and the excitement when he achieved his QTS. From this, I knew that the Tes Institute course was something that I would be interested in.
How has the Straight to Teaching course supported your professional development and career goal?
I began my Straight to Teaching journey in September and it was spread over two terms. I had great communication with my Tes Institute pathway tutor from the start, and this helped to ease my nerves about starting the course. My pathway tutor was able to answer any questions that I had and checked in with me on a regular basis to answer any further questions and to ensure that I was punctual with my coursework.
I was also allocated a school mentor straight away who is someone I have a great relationship with. I was able to work closely and efficiently with them in mentor meetings and set targets that were effective for me. My mentor was very supportive and ensured that I had everything in place to begin with and throughout my journey. During my mainstream placement, I continued to have in-person mentor meetings which allowed me to provide any feedback I had from my placement, as well as checking that I was continuing to have a good work-life balance alongside my course.
I was recommended for my QTS assessment in April following my final meeting with my pathway tutor. We worked closely to ensure that I had the correct information uploaded and that everything was in place so that I would not have a delay with my QTS assessment. After waiting a few weeks for my results to come in, I achieved QTS after my first assessment which was a huge relief!
What did you enjoy most about the course?
I think the course has worked well for me. It has allowed me to achieve my QTS as well as being able to remain working in a place that I love. All staff within the setting and my Tes Institute pathway tutor were very supportive, and the mentor meetings allowed me to express any struggles or concerns that I felt, which were very few. It also helped to ensure that I had a healthy work-life balance, managing teaching, coursework and my personal life.
Straight to Teaching has allowed me to become a qualified teacher, working in a job surrounded by staff and students that I have a great relationship with. It has allowed me to continue to have a love for teaching, and to share my experiences with other staff that have been interested in the course. I am also Reading and Phonics Lead which has been another positive that has come from my course.
What would you tell another person who is thinking of applying for this course?
Straight to Teaching is a programme that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in teaching. I received a huge amount of support from a wide range of people throughout my course which allowed me to not have any barriers in achieving my QTS.
One of my main positives throughout the course was that I was able to complete it while staying within my work setting. I didn’t have to face any financial struggles going back to university, and I had the comfort of having a position available for me once my course was complete. I have, and will continue to recommend and support anyone who is on this course, and overall it has changed my life for the better.
