I'm sat writing this story after completing the second placement on a SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) course, savouring a brief respite from PGCE essays and marking Year 10 essays on how Dickens uses the supernatural in A Christmas Carol. Not what I anticipated doing in my early 50’s. I'm also still basking in the satisfaction of completing my 12-week Tes SKE in English, which I undertook alongside the SCITT. This was a requirement for entry as my degree, completed last year, is in applied education practice.
Tell us about you, why you opted for a career in education, and why you chose to study with Tes Institute?
I decided to pursue a career in education late in life. Prior to working in schools I had worked in IT for around 30 years, the last 20 of those in reasonably senior management roles. This enabled me to work around the country, and also in New York and Manila, for a range of industries – banking, pharmaceuticals, newspapers.
However, while working on a major project for a health company I came to the realisation that I no longer enjoyed what I was doing and had grown tired of having the same discussions (arguments) in board rooms time and again.
So I took some time to consider what I actually wanted to do and remembered volunteering at an inner-city primary school, reading with children, and how that had brightened my week up. This led me to decide to go back to school myself, gain a degree and then train to be an English teacher. English has always been my passion and I want to instil the love of a good, or even bad, book in the next generations, while giving them the critical skills they will need in todays’ workplace.
I did a BA Hons degree while working as a teaching assistant in a secondary school, helping SEND students with their GCSE’s and aiding them in enjoying their school experience. On receiving my degree I applied for a SCITT programme via Buckingham Partnership studying to be an English teacher. They arranged the SKE course for me and I was pleased to learn it would be through Tes Institute. I had previously used Tes for lesson material and worked with a business studies teacher who wrote for them. I had also used some of their reporting in my degree course.
How has this course supported your professional development and career goal?
The course itself has been an eyeopener. It's wide-ranging and has a depth I was not necessarily expecting. It covered both the language and literacy elements of the curriculum and highlighted lots of different approaches that I, as a student teacher, can bring to my lessons. The focus is evenly spread between informing the person undertaking the course and highlighting the impact the knowledge can have on our students.
What did you enjoy about how the course is delivered?
I undertook the course online and the Tes Learn website is reliable, easy to navigate, and gives you a clear sense as to your progress. It provides a mix of media to engage you as a student, along with additional challenges should you so desire. I did a number of these but, I have to admit, not all of them.
The online element suited me as I was doing the course while working in my first SCITT placement in a secondary school. This meant that I could work on it when I had spare time between lessons, in the evenings and weekends. My Tes pathway tutor was fantastic, providing support throughout and giving detailed feedback on each module.
What did you enjoy most about the course?
Looking back on the course as a whole I would say that my favourite modules were to do with Shakespeare (Macbeth), creative writing, and poetry. That said, possibly the most crucial elements were the ones that supported my understanding of the grammar requirements for Key Stage 3 and 4 students.
What would you tell another person who is thinking of applying for this course?
If you're considering entering the education profession and want or need to brush up on your skills, then I would strongly recommend using Tes Institute. The content of their courses, the support provided and the flexibility are first rate. I know that I feel much more confident in the classroom having undertaken this course. It has also given me avenues of personal research to pursue as my own education is ongoing.
