Why do you want to be a teacher?
It sounds cheesy and cliched, but genuinely so that I can make a difference! Primary school is some of the most formative, important years of a child’s life and if I can be there to help them learn and navigate those then I will have helped. Also, like a lot of people, I was also inspired by some amazing teachers that I had at primary school who made learning fun and accessible and I want to be that person for other children.  

What qualities do you have that you think will help you be in the teaching profession?
Flexibility – you have to be able to adapt plans at a moment’s notice! Resilience – you’ll be tired and there will be lessons that are hard but you have to keep going. Empathetic – there will be circumstances outside of the classroom that will affect the children that you teach and you might need to be a good listener for them. 

Why did you choose Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance as your training provider?
I chose Exeter Consortium because of the really friendly vibe that it gave off. From the first email correspondence after I had applied and throughout the interview process I felt completely supported and like the team really care about every trainee that they have and their journey to become a teacher. 
 
Have you found Exeter Consortium to be supportive and welcoming?
Absolutely! The course leaders have been so supportive in making sure that we are getting everything that we need from the course to make us the best teachers possible. Everyone on the course including the staff and also fellow students have been very welcoming and it’s a very supportive environment where trainees are all swapping advice and looking out for each other.  

​Describe your time training to teach in three words:
Rewarding, enlightening and fast-paced! 

Why did you want to be a teacher?
After university, I couldn’t decide what job I wanted but all I knew is that I wanted to help people. After trying out a few weeks volunteering in a school, I realised that teaching was perfect – it allowed me to help people every day and influence children to be the best that they can be every day.

Why did you choose Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance as your training provider?
I looked at several providers, but Exeter Consortium were the most welcoming during the interviews, and I knew from the start that Dawn, Louise and Sara would help with anything I needed. That support has been incredible throughout the course and makes training a lot less daunting for people who aren’t from the world of education!

Have you found Exeter Consortium to be supportive and welcoming?
Amazingly so! From day one, I wasn’t afraid to ask questions or get advice, and that’s continued throughout the whole year. They always check in to see how we’re doing and never mind us emailing during the week if we need some help.

Describe your time training to teach in three words:
Intense, but fun and worthwhile!
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What advice would you give to prospective trainee teachers?
If you want to make a positive difference, and are motivated by helping people, you can’t go wrong! It might seem scary, but you’ll be amazed how much you love it, even after just one day in class!
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With our trainees preparing for their block practice and having just completed their first assessments, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on what has been a positive half term. Our Primary trainees have recently submitted their first PGCE assignment and this reading and reflection will now support them in preparing for their second assessment point when they consider how adaptive teaching can help them to meet the needs of the children in their classes. Our schools report back that our trainees are making good progress and are supporting their mentors and children in so many ways.  Check out this video where our two trainees at Abbotskerswell have been using video to teach sign language across the school. This is what Headteacher Kevin Martin  had to say about them: 

"Our two trainees from Exeter Consortium, Mrs Rachel Hawkins and Miss Danielle Searle, came up with their own way that our bubbles can continue to communicate with each other while having to be kept apart.  Each week, Danielle and Rachel make and send videos of themselves teaching a ‘Sign of the Week’ to each of the teachers in our school.  Children in each class then watch these in their class with their teachers.  
 
The signs have been a great way for our pupils to continue to be able to communicate with those in different classes who they are not getting an opportunity to see at the moment.  
We have had very good feedback from parents about this, with parents commenting how their children have been coming home and show the different signs to them.  It has also been a good example of how teachers are thinking of creative ways of engaging the children and bringing out some positives during these challenging times.  
 
It has been great that even at an early stage in their placements, our trainees were able to think creatively and offer something that has impacted positively on our whole school community."

If you’re thinking about training to teach with us, keep an eye on this blog and our Twitter @ExCoTSA and Facebook www.facebook.com/ExCoTSA feeds to learn more about our school-centred approach.