“I am a 26
year old single male. I obtained a BSc Honours
degree in Business Information Systems Management,
but it was during my Sandwich year at University
that I realised I was no longer motivated
by the profession I was about to enter. I
had previously had some experience of working
within schools, teaching sports, and decided
that teaching was the career path I wanted
to follow.
I chose the Bournemouth and East
Dorset SCITT as the place where I wanted to do
my Initial Teacher Training for two reasons. Firstly,
its excellent reputation and secondly its location.
Academically, my previous A Level
and Degree experience greatly assisted with the
course assignments, people management and ICT
related issues. The amount of practical school
experience I gained on the Programme was invaluable,
but trying to main a work-life balance was a challenge
in itself! This was in addition to managing children’s
behaviour whilst, at the same time, trying to
get to grips with carrying out a lesson. However,
my time with Bournemouth & East Dorset SCITT
helped me to gain confidence in my interactions
not only with the children, but also with their
parents.
Finance wasn’t an issue for me while
I was training as I had been at University for
the previous 4 years, managing on a very tight
budget!!
At the end of the Programme, when
I qualified, I secured a teaching post at the
School where I had carried out my main SCITT Teaching
placement. This is a local 2-form entry Primary
School (Foundation to Year 6). My first class
was in Year 3/4, teaching low ability Year 3’s
in the morning and mixed ability Year 3 and 4’s
in the afternoon. Now I teach high ability Year
2’s in the morning and a mixed Year 1/2 class
in the afternoon. I can happily say that it was
worth all the hard work I put in during my SCITT
Year, but please note I am still putting in an
enormous amount of effort!”
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“ I am a 26 year old female, living
with my partner. We have no children.
I gained a 2:2 BA Hons Degree in Theatre Studies.
I have wanted to teach for as long as I can remember! I had a very inspirational teacher when I was in reception, and I want to give children the enjoyment and confidence she gave me when I started school.
I chose the Bournemouth and East Dorset SCITT now the South Coast SCITT as I knew the ‘hands on’ experience suited my learning style. The SCITT has a great deal of school based experience which gives its trainees the chance to realistically experience the work load and lifestyle requirements/sacrifices of a primary school teacher.
Learning to teach was significant to me as these are the going to be the adults of tomorrow. Even if I can touch a few lives and make a few children have a happy and confident start to their education, then it is worth it. The feeling that teaching does make a difference, the feeling of getting up every day and going to a job where 30 children look to you to entertain and educate! I love it.
The course is challenging and the workload is heavy, I found organisation and enthusiasm was the key to my success on my journey through the SCITT. Organisation was paramount when embarking on a course which requires school based commitments, teaching commitments, planning, essay writing, reflective practice, the list is endless! Enthusiasm and the children get you through this course, I had a real passion for everything I did on the course and I feel this carried me through. If I was not genuinely enthusiastic and enjoying what I was doing I do not think I would have coped with the workload!
Because of my interest in early years I wanted to read and find out about the teaching, subjects, research, government views and legislation and the reasons behind ‘what teachers do and why!’. Therefore the assignments were an effort time wise but were not a chore academically. The tutors are there to give you additional support where needed and during placements the staff at schools are always happy to share their wealth of experience and expertise.
Financially things were not easy, but due to the time restraints on this course my social life did get put on hold!! I was lucky to have a partner who was willing to scrimp and spend every penny wisely. The £666 per month was a bonus and I did manage to save some money prior to the course. It is a real change if you are used to a higher income, but that is a decision my partner and I knew when I decided to go on the course.
The programme made me realise you get out what you put in. When I am tired, stressed or ill prepared then I am not a positive teacher. I made lifestyle choices during the SCITT, some of which have continued into my career, but this is part of the decision to become a teacher. I find what I do satisfying and enjoyable, because I put in the time and effort required for it to be successful.
I qualified and had a job secured in the Spring term. I am employed full time. I am a Foundation Stage teacher at a local forest school.
The course is hard, but the satisfaction of qualifying is worth it. As a teacher every day is different and every day is a challenge. Every child matters and has a different need daily, the children amaze me, amuse me, cheer me up and have an infectious enthusiasm and love of life - and I wouldn’t do anything else! “ |
