My first two terms of induction went well, but 10 new children have joined my reception class. They have upset the rest of the children, who were making great strides. I don’t seem to get any teaching done because I’m so busy sorting everyone out. The last two lessons observed have been unsatisfactory. Will this affect my passing the induction year?

You have two tricky, interrelated problems. First, you need to teach the class more effectively now that it is bigger and has children of a wider range of experience. Second, you must demonstrate that you are meeting the standards for induction.

You need to think afresh about how to plan the curriculum and organise and differentiate activities, and the children may need diferent learning objectives. See how much learning you can encourage through structured play. You also need to devote time and effort into training all the children into routines, and perhaps adapt the structure of the day to allow for more focused group teaching.

Also, return to having weekly induction meetings. Make a list of how you meet the QTS and induction standards. Ask the headteacher whether you are on course to pass the induction period and be clear about what any grounds for failure would be. Draw up an action plan with your induction tutor ascertaining what will be good enough progress, bearing in mind that there isn’t much time before the final assessment report.

E-mail your questions to: friday@tes.co.uk. Sara Bubb runs induction courses in Lambeth, Lewisham and at the Institute of Education. She cannot enter into personal correspondence