Nick Grimshaw is a 20-year-old primary trainee. He is thinking of specialising in maths and ICT. His first placement was at Heathfield junior school in Whitton, Twickenham. He had thought of training to be a chef after his A-levels, did work experience at an after-school club, then worked as a playleader. That led him to consider doing an education degree. He recalls his first day at school vividly. “I remember walking to school and seeing the pupils in their uniforms,” he says. “I thought, ‘There’s no turning back now.’” His main worries were about whether pupils would play up because he was a trainee, or whether they would treat him like a member of staff. “The pupils were fine and Isoon felt like a teacher,” he says. Staff support is vital, and Nick’s mentor gave him confidence whenever things went awry.

“I remember one lesson that didn’t go well. I tried to stick to the plan come what may, and the pupils weren’t responding. The mentor was very good and gave me a tip that I would pass on to any trainee: sometimes you have to go with the flow.”