Please can you describe your journey into working in education?
I started training out of university after my degree in Sport and Exercise Science. I had applied for many apprenticeships with professional and amateur sports clubs with no success. After considering a masters, I decided to find employment and found it in the most unlikely of places; a teaching assistant role at my old primary school. This was an unusual situation as many of the teachers who had taught me were still there and using their first names was very peculiar!
After a great year in my role, the Head asked if I wanted to train as a teacher, I agreed and completed my SCITT year and moved on to complete my NQT. My first school was Great Barford Primary Academy and my NQT tutor Cathy Barrows was an incredible role model to start of my teaching career. Unfortunately, my next school wasn't for me and due to a combination of things, I decided to step away from teaching thinking that it wasn't the job for me. After applying for many jobs outside the education sector, my wonderful wife (girlfriend at the time) told me that it wasn't teaching, it was the school that I was at and I should try again.
I decided to try supply for a year where I was fortunate enough to find Lordship Farm Primary School in Letchworth. This school helped me find my love for teaching again with the fantastic team and the feeling of trust SLT had for it's teachers. Fortunately, there was a fixed term contract with the school after my 4 months with them and I have never looked back. Having been there since 2020, I couldn't think of a better place to work and fell in love with teaching again.
What are the key things you love most about your job?
The people I work with allow my job to not feel like work yet having that everlasting impact on a child's learning. Every day I am making memories for myself and hopefully for the children I teach also.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to work in a similar role?
If you love your job, then you don't work a day of your life. So be patient and committed to what you want as it's the best decision for yourself. You will find a school that fits you and you are allowed to be picky. Persevere and back yourself!