Don’t worry. You can’t fail induction on the basis of one weak lesson, but you need to take it seriously. Your head makes recommendations on whether you are or aren’t meeting the criteria, but it’s the local authority which makes the final decision about whether you pass or fail induction. The fact that an official of the authority is unhappy with your teaching is therefore a serious matter. Ask yourself whether she has a point - and have these things been pointed out before?

Was this a lesson that was untypical and which you knew had not been planned well, or was it affected by events outside your control? Discuss these issues with someone - ideally the adviser herself or your induction tutor or headteacher.

Under England’s induction regulations (other countries have other arrangements), you should be assessed at the end of each term by your induction tutor and head. Judgments should be against the induction and qualified teacher status standards and should draw on all available evidence. This will include a minimum of two observations per term, but your planning, assessment and the children’s work will also give a picture of your progress. But the local authority observation will count, so you need to make sure that these faults are addressed.

Presuming that the criticisms made are fair, you need support in order to improve, so the school and local authority are duty bound to ensure you get some. Your induction tutor should be settingobjectives with you to address the problems. With help, you should draw up an action plan of what to do in your 10 per cent reduced timetable. Stay focused, get regular feedback and you’ll get there.

E-mail questions to susan.young@newsint.co.uk. Sara Bubb cannot enter into personal correspondence. More questions at www.tes.co.uk.