Trainee Spotlight | Emma Carpenter - Primary 3-7

Give a little background about your teaching career so far – how many years teaching, schools, age groups, subject specialisms, leadership roles…
My teaching career began as an apprentice TA working in an SEN school, this led to me successfully gaining employment within the school and I stayed there for 9 years whilst completing my degree part time. I worked with children across years 3 to 7. I am now going to be working as a KS1 teacher in Exeter.

Why did you want to be a teacher?
Ever since I was a child, teaching is something I have always wanted to do. I loved school and enjoyed learning and would line all my toys up and pretend they were my class. Then working as a TA, I experienced first-hand the rewards of working with children. Seeing the joy on children’s faces each day. Seeing the progress and small successes and how this all contributed to the bigger picture of the child’s learning journey.

Why did you choose Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance as your training provider? 
I chose Exeter Consortium as I wanted to continue working with children witnessing and being a part of their learning journeys. Training with Exeter Consortium allowed me to get stuck in straight away, being in the classroom from day one. I am so pleased I chose this route into teaching as it has allowed me to feel prepared for the next stage in my career.

What were your favourite aspects of the course?
My favourite aspects of the course were the GPS sessions, gaining new knowledge to put into practice and learning in a hands-on way often engaging with the learning and experiencing it how a child would. Attending these sessions with other ExCo alumni created a warm and safe environment where we would all share ideas and successes, making those training sessions invaluable. The ITAP weeks were also a favourite - visiting other schools and seeing how training is implemented there and taking these forward into my own practice. This has really shaped who I am as a teacher.

Did you find Exeter Consortium to be supportive and welcoming?
Exeter Consortium were beyond supportive, they always have the time to listen and offer ways of support tailored to each trainee. Exeter Consortium feels like a family with mentors and trainees all supporting each other to become amazing teachers!

Describe your time training to teach in three words:
Exciting, happy and interesting!

What advice would you give to prospective trainee teachers?
This year is like nothing else, embrace every opportunity and take everything you can from your placements and training sessions, these experiences are invaluable. The rewards you get from this experience compares to no other. Be proud of yourself for embracing the challenge and think of your end goal of why you want to be a teacher!