Q: Our head of department claims we need to produce training videos. She is having a key stage 4 lesson videoed and expects me to do the same at key stage 3. This was decided in a meeting where I felt that the other staff bullied me into doing it. I don’t want to. I’m happy to tape my lessons, for my own reasons. As I’m the youngest and least experienced (and, incidentally, in the whole school), I feel that the culture is that they can make me do anything because I don’t have the guts to argue. How can I stop this in a professional way?

A: Say no, politely and professionally. If they ask why, your reasons could include: “I don’t want to be videoed”; “it will disrupt the pupils’

education because I won’t teach naturally when being filmed and students will either play up or be inhibited by the cameras”; “if these are training materials, surely people want to see good teaching, not someone learning the ropes”; “I’m worried that viewers will criticise my teaching - and that’s not fair”. In my experience, teachers find plenty to criticise in the best examples of teaching. See this as an opportunity to stand up to your colleagues in a reasonable but assertive way. You are a professional and need to be treated as such.

We’re happy to answer your problems about any aspect of your NQT year.

Unfortunately, our experts cannot enter into personal correspondence with readers but will treat all your enquiries in the strictest confidence.

Please email any questions you have to: nqtextra@tes.co.uk