David's Daily Diversions

Back to the Chalkface

Tomorrow I go back to work. I am gainfully employed for the first time since I got the sack by email on New Years Eve 2002.

That's not to say I haven't worked hard, especially over the last year when I was in teacher training full time. I had to teach everyday and do all the academic work as well.

This blog actually began as something to do while I looked for work. I was putting out Meanderings fairly regularly, but this gave me a chance to write every day. Until I took up teaching, it seems I was either unqualified or over-qualified for everything. A few times I got an interview and came in second to someone with specific previous experience, and they don't give out silver medals to the best loser in the job race.

Only just a year or two ago, the Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year was just a probationary year and nothing to worry about. Now the Government has made it much more onerous and almost like a second qualification year. The difference is that you can repeat the training year if it doesn't work out the first time. The NQT year is make or break. If everything isn't perfect, there's no second chance and the NQT is barred from teaching at any level forever. Pressure?

I haven't blogged about teaching over the last year and I probably won't mention much about it during the coming year. That way if any colleagues (including those in a supervisorial role) or students come across this site, they won't find anything that compromises their privacy. I think it is better that way. If I was going to blog about the NQT year, I would probably do it anonymously.