You’ve made it. You’ve not just survived the first and hardest year of teaching, but you’ve made a massive difference to young people’s lives.

You’ll remember them forever - and they’ll never forget you.

But hang on, there are a few induction loose ends to tie up before the holidays. You need to remind, or nag, the induction tutor and your head into sending the last induction assessment form off. This one doesn’t involve any writing if you’ve met the qualified teacher status and induction standards - just signing by all of you. It’s up to the appropriate body at the local authority or independent schools council to make the final decision and pass your name to the General Teaching Council.

Remember your career entry and development profile? The one in the white folder. Look back at how you felt in September and see how far you’ve come: I bet you hardly recognise yourselves. In the transition point 3 discussion with your induction tutor, you’ll review this year and think about the next. The first question is probably the most thought-provoking:

“Thinking back over your induction period, what do you feel have been your most significant achievements and what brought them about?” So what will you say? Most people don’t know what helped them get better because development is very gradual. That’s where your induction tutor’s overview of your progress will help.

Make sure you give feedback on how the school’s induction provision has worked for you. There are many saints that do a splendid job for newly qualified teachers, so boost them with heartfelt and public praise because other people have had dire experiences. That needs recording too so that future teachers get a better deal.

Lastly, thinking ahead to what you’re going to teach and the responsibilities you’ll be taking on next year, what early professional development will you need? Keep an eye on the career path you want to follow to make the right choices when it comes to new opportunities.

There’ll be lots of them.

Then it’s celebration time. One new school is inviting the local press and members of the great and good to a celebration day because eight teachers have passed induction. Many local authorities put on a do to present you with your GTC certificate. Whoop it up guys.