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Welsh Recruitment

be able to think on your feet and produce a lesson for an unprepared subject, selecting the right pitch for the class.
Also, in some cases you might need more in-depth knowledge, for example teaching Geography to Year 6. I’ve often had to pull out all the stops in order to produce something valid.

What new skills and knowledge have you learned from your job?

I’ve learned to be completely prepared and flexible, planning lessons that can be used across the board. There’s no point being difficult if you have to swap classes unexpectedly – you just have to accept it and go with the flow. I’ve acquired the ability to solve problems and control classroom management, including child behaviour. Being a supply teacher, the kids try it on every time.
It’s important to identify problems and sort them out pronto. Also, I’ve learned to read the feeling of a particular class.
This helps to deliver the lesson properly.
Most importantly, I’ve become skilled at empathising with the children.

How important do you think the role of the teacher is in child development?

Crucial. A teacher has to be someone a child gets along well with, since they spend up to 8 hours a day together. The impression a child gets from a teacher is very important as to whether they learn a lot or not – in fact, it affects their learning across the board. A child also needs to be able to feel safe and have fun with a teacher. It’s a mixture of all of these elements.

What difficulties have you encountered working in your role?

Personal difficulties have included feeling frustrated with poor organisation.
On a practical level, it’s discouraging to go into a messy classroom where you might not be able to find stationary!
You’re bound to hit obstacles when you come in and implement your own routine for a day.

How does being in a classroom environment differ from that of an office, for example?

Unpredictability – but you soon get used to it! Interruptions can occur for any reason, for example, if there are school photos to be taken, or if a child is upset, crying or ill and you have to console them. Something like a power cut can throw a 4-year-old into complete hysteria, a change in the weather might make them irritable – these human and physical elements can hugely affect your day. You have to take it on the chin!

As a teacher, you must meet some varied and interesting young individuals! Do you have any entertaining stories from your classroom?

Once, during assembly I was taking with the Infants, we were talking about what God might be like. One little girl put her hand up and said “a blue plate”! I’ll never forget that!

How do you think school facilities and the education sector in Wales rate to those in the rest of the UK?

I’ve only ever worked in Wales and I really enjoy it. I would say there’s a greater need for support for children with learning difficulties. There’s a huge lack of Learning Support Assistants (LSAs). Welsh school are extremely well resourced, they just need more staff.

What advice would you give to those who are interested in becoming a primary school teacher?

If you love children and think you could work with them, I would recommend going to a local school or nursery and asking if you could come in and observe a class for a week. You’ll know then if you can tolerate what is an extremely physically and mentally demanding job…as well as a noisy one! If you can empathise on a child’s level, you can do a lot to help them. It’s a fabulous job.

(Picture: Alison Fennell)

Select Education is the UK’s leading educational recruitment organisation operating to the highest quality. If you have the skills, then speak to us.

At our Cardiff Office we are currently recruiting:

Primary Teachers
Secondary Teachers
SEN Teachers
Teaching & Learning Support Assistants
Nursery Nurses & Assistants

Long Term, Permanent and day to day supply available. Work available throughout South Wales.

Please contact us on 0845 450 1729 for further details on current opportunities. Our Team in Cardiff will be glad to hear from you.
Alternatively E-mail your CV to cardiff@selecteducation.com and we will contact you.

(Picture: select Education, logo)
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