It’s your first day at your initial teacher training placement school. You’ve got a copy of Teach Like a Champion in your bag, three spare biros and an emergency board pen in your pocket. You’re all set, right?

Well, sort of. There are certain things that not even the most comprehensive teacher training course will cover. Every school is different and will have its own quirks and nuances.

But there are certain things to be avoided at all costs. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you on your way.

1. Don’t get involved with politics

In each department there will be pre-existing relationships, allegiances and conflicts that you could unwittingly become caught up in if you’re not careful.

If you find yourself in a situation where other staff members are gossiping in front of you, don’t join in, just remove yourself from the situation. Don’t say anything, and don’t let someone draw a derogatory remark out of you.

If you feel really uncomfortable with the gossip going on, speak to your course tutor or mentor about it, but don’t become part of the problem yourself.

2. Do come prepared with the essentials

Tea and coffee provisions vary wildly from school to school. I’ve been in schools where tea and coffee isn’t just free but is served up to you in the staffroom at break. And I’ve been in schools where there has been a complicated matrix to decide how much each person pays into a kitty, depending on their tea/coffee/cereal consumption.

Just to be safe, bring teabags, milk and a mug with you. Using another teacher’s favourite mug probably doesn’t create the best first impression.

3. Don’t take cynics at face value

“There are always teachers in the staffroom who, for all sorts of reasons, have become very cynical and sometimes just negative,” says Claire Hill, head of English and media studies at Dover Grammar School for Girls in Kent.

She warns trainees against listening too closely to these voices of doom, but with the caveat to not completely dismiss the opinions of more experienced staff either.

“Listen to the cynics because, sometimes, they’re absolutely right to be cynical and they’ve seen some daft things happen in schools. However, do that listening through a bit of a filter.

“Keep in mind that there are years of context behind where some comments are coming from, and the last thing you should be doing is taking everything that’s said at face value.”

4. Do make an effort with everyone

Schools are odd places to work when it comes to hierarchies. In the classroom, we all do exactly the same job, but teaching and learning responsibilities, and leadership responsibilities. can make it feel as if some people are more important than others.

However, this isn’t the case. Some teachers might have grand titles but trainees can learn just as much from the midday assistants and librarian as they can from the headteacher and senior staff.

5. Don’t think you know it all already

It really doesn’t matter how many hours you spent in schools before you started your teacher training - making the step up to becoming a full-time qualified teacher puts you in a different ball game.

Somewhere along the line, you’ll receive criticism: taking this onboard is what your training year is all about.

Hill recommends that trainee teachers prepare themselves to find feedback difficult.

“Teaching is personal. It just is. Because of this, some criticism can really hurt. But you need to remember that things won’t be right every time. Mistakes are important and you can learn from them.”

6. Do get proactive if you’re struggling with your class

If you have a class that you’re finding difficult to manage, be honest with your tutor and mentor. It’s never too late to make amends with a class and students have very short memories when it comes to trainee teachers.

Above all, don’t let the feeling of failing overwhelm you. Instead, get proactive. Have a read up on the latest practical behaviour advice and use what you’ve been learning in general teaching practice sessions in the classroom. You cannot expect things to be fixed immediately, so give each new strategy a chance to work before you give up on it.

7. Don’t lose confidence in your own ability to teach

Every teacher will be able to tell you about a point in their training when they nearly quit. For me, I think this was just after the Christmas holidays; I spent my January searching for teaching English as a foreign language courses in Thailand.

It’s common for trainee teachers to experience a slump, particularly after the first term, when, following an initial rush of confidence, they gain enough experience to realise how much they still have to learn.

If this happens to you, speak to your mentor and fellow trainees about your feelings; you’re bound to find that they have exactly the same anxieties and fears. Rest assured, though, these will pass, and you will eventually get your confidence back.

Tes Institute have a range of training options for you if you’re looking to become a teacher. Find a course that’s right for you.