POST TRAINING PERSONAL STATEMENT

06.01.04

When I was a Teenager I hated school.  My classmates were snobs and bullies, my friends in lower sets were massive truants.

My capacity to learn and produce good results unearthed my problem; I loved learning but could not relate to Education. 

My Gap Year was spent working with various Youth Organisations, relating to the more ‘troubled’ teenagers of our nation and abroad – who invariably also struggled with the Education System. 

Three years at University taught me how to present my unorthodox approaches and conclusions in ways that the Education System could appreciate.  I left gaining a First Class Design Degree.

After graduating, I married and began co-managing a Mental Health Drop-In.  I soon realised that I needed to return to Youth Work and so used my newly-gained knowledge of Mental Health to secure a post with the Local Education Authority, Special Projects. 

In Special Projects I worked as a Mentor providing Vocational Education placements for disaffected/excluded Teenagers (14-16 years).  My Design training allowed me to assist in training pupils onsite in Construction, and deliver a course in Computer-Based Design with the University.

Despite working with most of the Secondary Schools in Portsmouth, I felt that I still did not have the insight I required into our Education System.  And so, I began work at City of Portsmouth Boys School as a Teaching Assistant.

Working with the disruptive end of a School can allow you to understand school from their point of view.  But I found I was rarely able to relate to or understand the experiences relayed to me by teachers. I felt that I had to become a teacher in order to truly experience – and hopefully understand – the Education System. 

It was in July 2002 that I began as an unqualified teacher of Art and Design in Mayfield School.  In December that year I was enrolled onto the Graduate Training Scheme, graduated December 2003.  I am currently an NQT.

Having spent the best part of 2 years learning how to be an Educator, I have finally gained some understanding of the Education System!  That which still eludes me, I find I can gather from my colleagues and understand what is shared!  Moreover, many aspects of Education that I found frustrating as a Teenager I now understand; during the GTP I have seen teachers and support staff educate in ways that make sense to their pupils – and I borrow from their good practise;  I see pupils whose attitudes resemble those of my teen years, and am now in a position to make their education more accessible; I can also appreciate where the Education System can be better differentiated and made more flexible for both the more and less able pupil/class. 

I feel that the GTP program has given me a broad experience and deep understanding of the Education System.  And the ability to challenge and seek change within it where necessary.