As I write, I’m six weeks into my first term as a teacher, and one week away from half term (note how easily I’ve slipped into week-watching). To say it’s been a roller-coaster up to now would be a cliche, but true nonetheless. Indeed, it’s a real white-knuckle ride, but one I’m enjoying more than I could have imagined.

My first week gave me a taste of some of the downsides of the GTP’s in-at-the-deep-end approach. After a fairly smooth couple of days with classes who were keen on drama or new to the school, I hit a bump in the road on the Friday morning. My Year 11 GCSE group in the first period were surly and obstructive. They were full of how much they’d loved my predecessor and very reluctant to engage in the work I was trying to get going. And the Year 10s, who yesterday had been delightful, suddenly came over all un-cooperative.

But the capper came just before lunch with a lower-school group with some really difficult students - not just awkward or unresponsive but with genuine behavioural and learning problems that made them very difficult to manage, let alone teach - especially for a new teacher with little experience in classroom management. As more and more students began to take the lead from those few who couldn’t be contained, I realised I didn’t know quite what to do to restore order to the room.

My work with this group is now greatly improved thanks to some supportive input from my head of department and other colleagues, including one English teacher who volunteered to sit in with me every week to observe and assist. Even the pining Year 11s are coming round to me, and it’s days now since I’ve heard a reference to the previous teacher. They even seem to be letting themselves enjoy some of the work.

Teaching from day one was scary, but on balance I think I’d rather do it that way and be tested by the students as a teacher who’s new to the school, rather than do a lot of observations and team teaching and then be marked out as a ‘trainee’ as well. Since that first Friday I’ve only had one day when I’ve gone home feeling low - the rest of the time I’ve felt positive, even after difficult days.

I couldn’t recommend the GTP for everyone, but for me it’s been a fantastically valuable experience - by turns exhilarating and exasperating, energising and exhausting, fulfilling and frustrating. The kids in the school are great, the staff are friendly and supportive, my HOD always has time for me. I’m also lucky enough to have a GTP tutor I can work well with and a head and senior management team who are behind me.

I can’t imagine ever doing anything but teaching now, and can’t think why it took me so long to get into it. I feel as if I’ve come home - to a family that’s more Addams than Waltons maybe, and a house in need of a bit of work, but it still feels like the place I should be.