trainee testimonials

George Abbot SchoolAccredited Provider

Trainee Testimonials

Specialist Music College

‘Everyone says it, but start working on the portfolio as soon as you start the course. Any evidence is good evidence until you have something better to replace it with.’

‘Network early on for jobs, shake the hand of everyone you meet and remember that in the partnership you are always advertising yourself for a future job so be professional.’


‘With many ups and downs throughout the year it has been a fantastic experience, one which I would highly recommend to anyone thinking of joining the teaching profession.’

‘Lessons don’t always go to plan, despite how long you have spent planning them – BUT you WILL survive and you will learn so much from the good and the bad! Remember to keep calm – It’s always almost half term!’ Specialist Music College

‘The GTP year has been one of the most challenging that I have faced; there are some things that you just cannot prepare for, and this is one of them!

The challenge is wonderful, though. Being a teacher is the most varied, unpredictable job in the world, and I’m lucky enough to enjoy it so much that it still doesn’t feel like a huge chore getting up in the morning!’


‘Don’t be offended – kids have no concept of age… if you are their teacher you’re old!!!!’

‘Teaching IS organising – stay organised!!!’


‘Thank you to the George Abbot (and Weydon) team for helping to equip me with the right skills to find a job, and hopefully to become a future success.’

‘I have really appreciated the opportunity to build up relationships with other GTPs, with whom I was able to share the best points of my training year, and whose support and advice were so helpful during the lowest points.

Many thanks Helena, Claire, Lyndsay, Alastair and the rest of the AP!’


‘ I think the most valuable part of my training has been observing other members of staff at both placement schools as I have been able to work with some outstanding teachers.’

‘The AP pedagogical training sessions were excellent and incredibly helpful, particularly the sessions about creative planning through which my enthusiasm for innovative practice was re-ignited.’



‘Be prepared to feel really nervous when you start teaching, despite presenting in my previous career, standing up in front of a class of 14 year olds is very daunting and I can tell you now it is not as easy as the experienced teachers make it look!!’

‘Looking back I can’t think of any better way of doing things other than the old cliché be organised from the beginning !’


‘You will have a lot to do. You will feel more tired than you ever have before.

But make sure you have some time off when there is an opportunity – if you keep on top of things from the start, trust me, you will make your life/work balance a lot easier!!’


‘Be organised, there is a lot of paperwork. File things so you can find them – this will set you in good stead when you have the chance to teach the same lesson again or when you come to put together your portfolio.’


‘‘I really feel like the GTP has given me the chance to develop my own teaching and learning practice in a way that challenged me, but in the knowledge that I had a fantastic support network behind me (AP Team, both placement schools)’


‘The entire AP team have made the whole experience not only mentally stimulating but thoroughly enjoyable to be part of.

This year has been the most challenging year of my life but it has also been life changing ; it is the first time I’ve ever felt wholly passionate about what I’m doing.’


“This experience has been made all the better by the people I’ve been able to share it with; it’s been amazing to be surrounded by such a wide variety of people, of all ages and all backgrounds, who have been thrown together through a desire to teach.”


‘Completing a GTP is like learning to drive. At first you make many mistakes, but you have an instructor who is there every step of the way, guiding and supporting you. Then one day something clicks. You can't explain it and it's often hard to describe the process. You just 'get it' and it feels right. George Abbot Teaching School is the best place to make those mistakes and get the advice and support that turns you from a learner into an outstanding teacher.’


‘The best career move that I have ever made.’

‘Hard work, requiring great commitment but with fantastic returns for all the effort.’

‘By far the most challenging year I’ve experienced, but also the most rewarding!’

trainee testimonials

Education

gtp year

year olds

teaching profession

file things

lot of paperwork

good stead

good evidence

fromthe good