Madihah always knew she wanted to train as a primary school teacher after her degree.
I was keen to go to a Russell Group university when I was applying for my undergraduate studies. Southampton was my ideal choice and staying on to do a PGCE was the natural next step. I had an interview, and I really liked the vibe. You could tell you were going to be supported.
Developing professional confidence
Initially I was nervous about doing the teaching placements that form an essential part of the training. I didn’t have any classroom experience, so I really appreciated the structure of the course.
You apply what you’re been taught at university in the observation placement and then you go on to teach on your placements. It’s broken-down step by step and it enabled me to go into school with confidence.
Sources of support
The support we’ve been given is fantastic. Your class mentor at school and your personal tutor at the University work well together, so if I had any problem I could talk to them both to resolve the issue.
One area I was worried about was behaviour management, but with the support at University and in school we were really walked through it.
Behaviour management is among the topics covered during Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) weeks of the course. I found ITaPs really useful, providing an in-depth look at a theoretical aspect of teaching which I applied in school.
The programme’s small group size also helped me get through the rigours of teacher training. We have a group chat and it’s good to talk about the workload and any challenges with people who know how you are feeling. True friendships come out of it.
Reflecting – and looking ahead
We've all completed a portfolio where we reflect on our learning and practice. This gives a record to look back on and see how far we’ve come. Seeing the progress I’ve made is really satisfying as I come to the end of my first placement.
My first placement was amazing and I’ve enjoyed it so much. I love being able to apply what we learnt at University and it’s a great feeling when you see a child click onto something you’ve taught them.
I feel positive about what I've achieved so far and I'm looking forward to applying for jobs and taking my next steps in my career.
I really enjoy how the course gives you lots of opportunities to see different schools. You can compare what you’ve seen and pick up different approaches from other teachers.