Tips for teachers who feel like they are failing at school

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Feeling like you’re failing as a teacher can be incredibly disheartening, but it’s important to remember that teaching is a challenging profession, and everyone faces setbacks at times.

As specialists in education recruitment, Initial Education Recruitment have met many teachers, teaching assistants and SEN educators of the years. As a result, we have gained a good understanding of what can help you navigate those challenging moments and work towards improvement:

Reflect on your teaching methods

Take some time to reflect on your teaching strategies. Are there certain methods or approaches that seem less effective? Consider experimenting with new techniques to see what works best for your students.

See Feedback

Ask for feedback from colleagues, administrators, and even students. Constructive feedback can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement and help you identify your strengths.

Set realistic goals

Set achievable and realistic goals for yourself. Break down larger objectives into smaller, more manageable tasks. Celebrate small successes along the way to boost your confidence.

Focus on relationships

Building positive relationships with your students is crucial. Make an effort to connect with them on a personal level, understand their individual needs, and create a supportive learning environment.

Adapt to student needs

Students have diverse learning styles and needs. Be flexible and willing to adapt your teaching methods to better meet the needs of your students. Differentiate instruction when possible.

Use technology wisely

Explore how technology can enhance your teaching. There are numerous resources and tools available that can engage students and make learning more interactive and enjoyable.

Collaborate with colleagues

Share your challenges with colleagues and seek advice. Collaborative problem-solving can offer fresh perspectives and solutions that you might not have considered on your own.

Take care of yourself

Teaching can be emotionally and physically demanding. Make sure you’re taking care of your own well-being. Get enough rest, engage in activities you enjoy, and seek support from friends, family, or a professional if needed. We wrote a blog in the summer about making sure you take time to relax – https://initialrecruitment.com/how-to-relax-this-summer/ that may provide some ideas for you.

Mental health and well-being is something Initial Education are really passionate about. You can read more about this in our blog – https://initialrecruitment.com/how-staff-can-help-each-other-with-mental-health-and-wellbeing/

Continuous professional development

Stay committed to your own professional growth. Attend workshops, conferences, or training sessions to stay updated on new teaching methods and resources.

Celebrate progress, not perfection

Recognise that teaching is a journey, and improvement takes time. Celebrate the progress you and your students make, even if it’s incremental. Focus on the positive aspects of your teaching.

Connect with a mentor

If possible, seek out a mentor teacher who can provide guidance and support. They may share their own experiences and offer valuable advice based on their own teaching journey.

Remember that every teacher faces challenges, and it’s okay to ask for help. Persevere, stay open to learning, and know that you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on your students’ lives.

If you’re looking for a new challenge in a new school, we would love to hear from you!

Complete our online form and a member of the team will be in touch! Click here for the online form or give us a call on 01452 740001.

Navigating National Bullying Prevention Month

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Navigating National Bullying Prevention Month: A Teacher’s Guide to Managing Bullies in School

Educators play a crucial role in creating a safe and nurturing environment for students. October is National Bullying Prevention Month, an ideal time to renew the commitment to combat bullying in schools. Bullying can have long-lasting effects on a child’s physical and emotional well-being, making it essential for teachers to be proactive in addressing this issue. In this blog post, we’ll explore effective strategies for managing bullies in school and fostering a climate of respect and empathy.

Recognising the signs

The first step in addressing bullying as a teacher is to recognise the signs. Be vigilant and watch for behavioural changes in your students, such as withdrawal, declining academic performance, or a sudden reluctance to attend school. Encourage open communication with your students and create a safe space for them to share their concerns.

Establish clear classroom rules

Setting clear and consistent classroom rules is essential for maintaining order and preventing bullying. Ensure that your rules emphasise respect, kindness, and inclusivity. Discuss these rules with your students and involve them in creating a code of conduct for your classroom.

Foster Empathy and social-emotional learning

Teaching empathy is a powerful way to prevent bullying. Incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) into your curriculum to help students understand and manage their emotions and develop empathy towards their peers. Activities such as group discussions, role-playing, and literature that explores empathy can be highly effective.

Implement a zero-tolerance policy

Make it clear that bullying will not be tolerated in your classroom or school. Establish a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and communicate it to students, parents, and colleagues. Consistently enforce consequences for bullying behaviour, ensuring that they are fair and in line with your school’s policies.

Encourage reporting

Many students may be hesitant to report bullying incidents out of fear or embarrassment. Create a safe reporting system that allows students to report bullying anonymously if they prefer. Assure students that their concerns will be taken seriously and that you will maintain their confidentiality.

Involve parents and guardians

Collaboration with parents and guardians is crucial in addressing bullying. Keep lines of communication open with families and inform them if their child is involved in a bullying incident, either as a victim or a perpetrator. Encourage parents to support anti-bullying efforts at home and in the community.

Promote Inclusivity and Diversity

Foster an inclusive classroom environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel valued and respected. Celebrate cultural differences and encourage students to appreciate the uniqueness of their peers. This can help reduce the risk of bullying based on differences.

Educate students about bullying

Dedicate time to educating your students about bullying, its consequences, and how to prevent it. Use age-appropriate resources and engage in meaningful discussions about the impact of bullying on individuals and the community.

Be a positive role model

Lead by example and demonstrate respectful and empathetic behaviour in your interactions with students and colleagues. Your actions and attitude can influence the classroom culture and set the tone for how students treat each other.

Navigating National Bullying Prevention Month serves as a reminder of our responsibility as educators to create safe and inclusive learning environments. By recognising the signs of bullying, establishing clear rules, fostering empathy, and involving all stakeholders, we can effectively manage bullies in school and work towards a future where every student feels valued, respected, and free from harm.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of our students and contribute to a more compassionate society.

Whether you’re looking for a teacher, teaching assistant or non-education role, Initial Education Recruitment could have the day to day, short term or long-term supply teaching contract for you whilst you search for your dream role.

If you’re looking for a new challenge in a new school, we would love to hear from you!

Complete our online form and a member of the team will be in touch! Click here for the online form or give us a call on 01452 740001.

Celebrating Teaching Assistants this Teaching Assistants Day, September 29th.

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Teaching Assistants are an integral part of the education system, providing support to teachers and pupils during their formative years. Their hard work often goes unnoticed, making it all the more important to recognise and celebrate Teaching Assistants’ Day.

These individuals play a vital role in the classroom, helping to create a positive and supportive learning environment for students. Working closely with teachers to develop lesson plans, providing one-on-one assistance to struggling students, and helping to manage classroom behaviour.

We meet many people at Initial Recruitment who are looking for a new role as a Teaching Assistant. In addition, we work with many schools in placing TAs in their setting. This helps us to really understand the qualities and experience required from the ideal Teaching Assistant.

Here are some ideas on how to celebrate Teaching Assistants on their special day:

Thank you notes for your TA’s

Encourage pupils, teachers, and other staff members to write heartfelt thank-you notes or letters expressing their appreciation for the TAs. These messages can highlight specific times when your Teaching Assistant’s support has made a significant difference.

Teaching Assistant Recognition Ceremony

Teaching Assistants can be acknowledged and celebrated for their efforts with a recognition ceremony. This can be done during a staff meeting, assembly or a special event dedicated to honouring their contributions. Provide certificates of appreciation, small tokens of gratitude, or personalised gifts.

Social Media Shout-Outs

Utilise your school’s social media platforms to publicly acknowledge and appreciate your Teaching Assistants. Share posts that highlight their positive impact, exceptional qualities, and contributions to the school and the class they work in. You can also encourage others to join in by using a designated hashtag to share their own messages of gratitude.

Classroom Surprise on Teaching Assistant’s Day

Coordinate with other teachers to surprise the school’s Teaching Assistants with a small celebration in the classroom. Put up decorations, bring in snacks or treats, and get pupils to participate in activities to showcase their appreciation.

Professional Development Opportunities

Offer Teaching Assistants the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge through workshops, training sessions, or professional development courses. A great way to show they are valued and supported!

Lunch or Tea Gathering on Teaching Assistants’ Day

Host a special lunch or afternoon tea gathering where Teaching Assistants can relax and enjoy some quality time together.

Highlight Success Stories

Share success stories of TAs who’ve made an impact on pupils’ lives or have gone above and beyond through newsletters, bulletin boards, or presentations to showcase their achievements and inspire others.

Despite the challenges they face, Teaching Assistants remain committed; driven by a passion for making a difference in the lives of children. By acknowledging their efforts for all they do, we can inspire them to continue making a positive impact.

On Teaching Assistants’ Day and every day, let us take a moment to thank these dedicated professionals for their hard work and unwavering commitment to our children’s education.

If you’re looking for a new teaching assistant role in a new school, we would love to hear from you!

Complete our online form and a member of the team will be in touch! Click here for the online form or give us a call on 01452 740001.

Helping children settle back in to school after the holidays.

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Helping children settle back into school after the holidays is an important task for teachers.

Returning to school can be a daunting experience for many children. It’s a teacher’s/teaching assistants’ responsibility to ensure that all of the pupils are school-ready and prepared to tackle the new academic year with confidence.

Here are some tips for getting your pupils back into the school routine and ready to learn.

Create a welcoming environment in class

Set up the classroom in a way that is inviting and familiar to the children. Make sure the spaces are clean, organised, and visually appealing. Consider displaying their pictures from the last academic year for familiarity or create a ‘Welcome Back’ bulletin board. (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/karinalvarez90/welcome-back-bulletin-boards/ )

Make time for talking to all the children

It’s important to remember that school is not just about the curriculum. Many children will have missed their school friends during the holidays, so it’s crucial to create an environment where they can catch up and reconnect. Create some class icebreaker games https://www.teachit.co.uk/cpd/teaching-and-learning/20-best-icebreakers ), group projects, or class team-building exercises (https://www.weareteachers.com/team-building-games-and-activities/) to help children reconnect with their classmates and peers.

Encourage the children to reflect on their holiday experiences and share any highlights. This can help limit any disruptions during focused learning time and boost confidence while easing anxieties.

Establish a routine in class

After a long break, it’s essential to re-establish a routine as quickly as possible.

Keep in mind that there may have been a discrepancy in the amount of work and listening done at home compared to what is expected at school. Plan your first week of lesson plans with this in mind, so that routine can be re-established naturally, and the children can reacquaint themselves with the daily schedule and the rules of the classroom.

Check in with your pupils

Some of your pupils may have had a difficult home life during the holidays, so it’s important to check in with them on their return to school. Building a rapport with your class, their parents, and key care workers will help make this easier for you to identify. Consider things that can be done in the classroom to help manage any overwhelm.

Remind your class of the basics, such as where the toilets are, that you are there to help, timelines, etc. Showcase areas of your classroom that may be a place of sanctuary for those feeling overwhelmed, such as book corners and quiet spaces.

Focus on the well-being of all the children

Recognise that some students may have mixed emotions about returning to school after a holiday. Adding wellbeing-focused activities to the start of term can help your class feel less overwhelmed and give you an insight into how they are feeling. Provide opportunities for students to express their feelings and offer support if needed.

For example, ask your class to draw an image of how they are feeling or choose a colour that represents their mood and explain why. The Colour Monster story (https://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/the-colour-monster ) is always a great place to start. These activities not only help your class feel supported but also give you valuable information on who you may need to keep a closer eye on as the term starts.

Be mindful of hunger and tiredness

Sleep routines can often be lost during school holidays, and snacks throughout the day can increase. This can mean that when your class returns after the holidays, they may be struck by overwhelm, hunger, and tiredness.

Be sure not to plan too many high-intensity physical activities in the first week back, and perhaps look at your PE plan, keeping in mind that some children may not have been as active or well-rested during the holidays. If your timetable allows, add in a snack time or create a lesson plan that includes food, such as a DT lesson on making fruit cocktails or tasting new foods.

Support parents

The more informed your classes’ parents are regarding what makes the return to school easier for their children, the better the process will be. Most children deal with some level of stress or anxiety about school, added with a change in routine. Providing resources before the school holidays begin and just before they return is amazingly supportive. You can make these resources independently or link to your school’s website or government-provided resources.

Helping children settle back into school after the holidays can be challenging for both pupils and teachers. Remember, the key is to create a positive and supportive environment that helps children ease back into the school routine while fostering their academic and emotional growth.

By following these simple tips, you can help ease the transition and ensure that your pupils are ready to learn. Remember to prioritise communication and well-being, establish a routine, and provide support for both your pupils and their parents. With these strategies in place, you can help make the new academic year a success for everyone involved.

If you’re looking for a new teaching role in a new school, we would love to hear from you!

Complete our online form and a member of the team will be in touch!

Click here for the online form or give us a call on 01452 740001.

How to relax this summer

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How to relax this summer…. think back: As summer approached, you were giddy with excitement over the camping weekends, day trips, and holidays you planned to pack into the summer holidays.

Now it’s nearing the end of term and your excitement has waned, being replaced with fatigue from the go-go-go of the last academic year. Do you really want to start Autumn in a state of mental and physical exhaustion? No one says you can’t have a great summer filled with fun activities but balance them out with some well-deserved rest and relaxation that doesn’t require you to plan, travel, or spend money.

Woman in hammock reading a book to relax this summer

Here are six easy ways to really relax and reset this summer.

Get reading

Instead reading about The Great Fire of London, The Gruffalo, or books about ‘How your body works’, go and put your feet up with a good book. Colleen Hoover is a favourite author of so many, but if you like something a bit darker, you can’t beat a bit of Stephen King!

Get creative

Some like to journal, others like to paint, or knit, or do pottery. Find your thing and while away the hours developing a masterpiece of your own. (no PVA glue or crepe paper allowed!)

Local events this summer

No need to travel to have fun! Be a tourist in your own back garden (relatively speaking). Throughout the summer, every county is filled with many varied activities for families. Follow these sites for more details on what’s on in your area –

Gloucestershire – www.exploregloucestershire.co.uk

Herefordshire – www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk

Worcestershire – www.visitworcester.co.uk/

Walk

Stretch your legs and clear your mind. The Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean offer some outstanding places of natural beauty. The question is, how will you choose? These websites will help you to decide and give more information on the surrounding area, places to eat nearby and available parking etc.

The Cotswolds – www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/visiting-and-exploring/walking/self-guided-walks/

Forest of Dean and Wye Valley – www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/things-to-do/walking

Reconnect

How many friends and family members have you said over the past year or so, ‘we must have a catch up’? We know – we are just as bad! Try and make time to schedule those meet ups, even combine them with a walk (see above!) or meet at a local event (see above!) or do a pottery class together (get creative, see above!)

Sleep!

Let this summer be the time you prioritise sleep. Not only is sleep crucial for your physical and mental health, but it’s also free! Simply go to bed earlier or stay in bed a little longer. You can even schedule a cat nap, as we all know that a quick 20 minutes can make a huge difference!

Whatever you plan to do over the summer holidays, we hope you make time to rest and recharge the batteries.

If you’re looking for a new teaching role in a new school, we would love to hear from you!

Complete our online form and a member of the team will be in touch!

Click here for the online form or give us a call on 07827 323208.

How staff can help each other with mental health and wellbeing

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An issue that extends past one day or an awareness week, we discuss what you can do as a teacher to help each other to raise awareness and help to improve wellbeing within schools.

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘anxiety’. Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.

It should come as no surprise that school staff are experiencing more symptoms of poor mental health, with 77% experiencing symptoms due to their work.

We also know that great relationships at work can help you to deal with and share the stresses of school life.

Top tips to help a colleague who needs support –

Adapt your approach

Adapt your approach to each individual – remember not everyone communicates in the same way and what works for one person won’t work for another. If they’re finding it difficult to express themselves, let them know that you’re there when they are ready. Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to how they’re feeling, can be really helpful in itself.

Be open

Be open and honest. Making yourself approachable can be pivotal in helping someone. Let your colleagues know that you can see they might be struggling and you’re there anytime that they may need some support.

Ask questions

Ask your colleague if you can help or if they need anything. Try and encourage an open dialogue, resisting the urge to simply ask how you can ‘fix’ the issue and focus on guiding conversations and ask instead how you can improve circumstances or make things better.

This can help pinpoint specific issues and often enables you to resolve them more efficiently than dancing around the subject.

Be kind

Express your empathy. Often the greatest gift we can someone else is the gift of empathy. It can sometimes be difficult for colleagues to show weakness at work, so be kind and take the time to listen and to offer reassurance.

Just be there

The organised chaos of a typical school day makes it hard to find the time to speak to a colleague who seems to be struggling, especially if you are also feeling the strain of work and life in general. Taking the time to just be there can really make a huge difference to someone’s day or even week and may even also help you to have open conversations and to share familiar struggles in the classroom.

If you’re looking for a new challenge or change of scenery, Initial Education would love to hear from you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with by calling 01452 740001 or registering your interest here.

The lowdown on NQT teaching jobs.

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NQT’s ask us ‘When should I start looking for my first teaching job?’ a lot, and this is an interesting question. You started your PGCE in September and your fellow students are already talking about finding a job by December. This can make you feel rushed, but our advice is not to rush into it.

There’s a lot to consider when applying for your first teaching position. We hope this blog helps to answer some of your questions and helps to get your applications off to a great start.

When should NQT’s Apply?

Teacher positions can of course open at any time, but most commonly after Christmas for a September start date.

The peak time for applications though is between the start of March and the end of May. This is because Easter is the deadline for teachers to hand in their notice for the current school year. Some schools will advertise as early as January, while others may advertise as late as June or July, due to unforeseen circumstances.

It’s worth applying for roles, either permanent or temporary (or both), as soon as you’ve submitted your dissertation. Seeking a temp role as soon as you’ve completed your dissertation will allow you to:

  • Earn money in a relevant role
  • Gain valuable experience in a variety of schools while applying for permanent roles
  • Learn new skills
  • Boost your CV, helping you to stand out from the competition

The teacher recruitment timetable: what to do and when

Autumn term: Start looking early and don’t just apply to any school. Consider what’s important to you, the ethos, site, size and catchment of the school you’d like to work at. Autumn is a great time to do some research on the schools in your ideal area and to attend university recruitment fairs.

December and January: Local Authorities advertise vacancies and may have closing dates. In January, schools start directly advertising vacancies.

January to May: This is the busiest period for recruitment. Register with websites to receive updates on the latest opportunities. Make applications to teacher registration schemes and databases.

Consider registering with an agency for supply work. This experience will be incredibly valuable, giving you more to put on your CV to stand out, allowing you to gain valuable experience and another bonus, earn money.

31 May: The final date before which teachers leaving their jobs in the summer must resign, so more jobs appear around this time.

Where to Look

Most primary schools will advertise on their local authority website (look up local council education jobs) and in the local newspaper.

Secondary schools tend to use job websites.

Agencies are great resource also, with full-time and part-time contracts available, which could work around your studies and other commitments until you’re ready to start a new role in September. The more flexible you are, the more work you can get. As you get to know them more, you can work with the agencies to tell them your preferences and strengths.

Applications and CVs

Schools may have their own application form they would like you to complete. Sometimes this is a form set by the local authority. Other schools may request a CV and cover letter. Often the most difficult part of the application is the personal statement. This is where you explain why you would be the best candidate for the role.

Be very specific when completing the application form – tell them what you’ve done, focusing on your successes and giving as many examples from your time in the classroom as possible.

Personal statement

Write a strong 300 to 400-word personal statement; show you’ve done your research and understand something about the school you’re applying to, talk about your course and what you’d personally bring to that school. Get some feedback on your form before you send it off.

Here are a few helpful tips to tick off as you write your personal statement:

  • tailor your application to the school, for example their ethos, Ofsted report and latest exam results
  • visit the school, as many recruiters view this as a part of the application process and it can help you to see if you would want to work there
  • get it proofread to ensure there are no spelling mistakes
  • ensure your employment history has no gaps and if it has make sure they’re explained
  • tell them what skills and extracurricular opportunities you can bring
  • convey a passion for teaching
  • evidence your success, where you bring added value and have met targets.

Managing Expectations

Finding the perfect role can take time, and sometimes it takes a while to get into the flow of interviews. Some people will find this easier than others. It’s important to persevere and have someone to talk to who can support you during this potentially difficult time.

Good Luck!

If you’d like to get in touch with Initial Education to understand how we could help you, give us a call on 01452 740001 or you can register your interest here.

Mental Health – How You Can Help

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With mental health awareness becoming an ever-pressing issue in our day-to-day lives, it seems fitting that each year we dedicate specific time to addressing the subject. An issue that extends past one day or awareness week, we discuss what you can do as a teacher to help both colleagues and students alike to raise awareness and help to improve well-being within schools.

World Mental Health Day

Ask The Questions

The stigma around mental health is slowly diminishing, however people are often still too afraid to ask. Get to the root of wellbeing issues in a school by asking the questions, whether that be through online surveys or 1:1 sessions with individuals. Resist the urge to simply ask how you can ‘fix’ the issue and focus on guiding conversations and ask instead how you can improve circumstances or make things better.

This can help pinpoint specific issues and often enables you to resolve them more efficiently than dancing around the subject. From this, you can take the time to talk and utilise school therapists to help get the best out of staff and pupils. For the majority, mental health problems are treatable should they be detected early, so take a time out and make this a priority.

Make it normal to talk

Its often difficult for children to express exactly how they are feeling, so make it easier by naming emotions and feelings in a way that children will identify with. Enabling the development of emotional intelligence will ensure that issues can be raised clearly. Try doing this through photo cards or a range of interactive activities to cement the process. Invite children to talk about how they’re feeling by asking questions such as “you look upset today, how can I help?”.

The organised chaos of a typical school day makes it hard to find the time to assign additional time to speaking to a student or colleague who seems particularly disheartened or low, however this is perhaps a more pressing issue than that never ending pile of marking sat on your desk. Taking the time can really make a huge difference to someone’s day or even week, so this mental health day make it more normal to talk.

Controlling emotions

The journey of learning emotional intelligence isn’t an easy one, but a key element is to develop specific strategies to regulate and control these emotions. This world mental health day, devote a few hours to talk and develop awareness into what your students are feeling and why they feel it. From this, you can assist in establishing a set of exercises that they can do to suppress this, whether that be star jumps or colouring.

“When adults support and encourage young children as they take risks, face obstacles, and grow from failure, young people learn how to bounce back from life’s ups and downs.”

— Marilyn Price-Mitchell, PhD (Quotes About Resilience That Foster Children’s Determination and Self-Confidence).

Make yourself approachable

When it comes to discussing personal mental health, making yourself approachable is pivotal in being able to help someone. Take part in a mental health first aid course and educate yourself around managing each situation, or simply make it known that you are there for students and colleagues should they need you. Encourage activities that allow students to get to know each other and you and make an effort to find out and show interest in what students get up to when they’re not at school. Everyone’s favourite topic is themselves so start the day with an open dialogue to ignite a positive feeling from the outset.

Make Use of Online Resources

As a crucial issue making significant headway in becoming an integral part in the school curriculum, there are some great online resources available that you can integrate into your lessons. Of course, teaching resource site Twinkl features a plethora of free to download activities, from positive affirmations to mindfulness and breathing exercises. Additionally, charities such as Young Minds understand the juggling act that teachers re having to go through on a daily basis and are fighting for all young people to get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

If you’re looking for a new challenge or change of scenery, Initial Education would love to hear from you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email or call us on 01452 740001.

Celebrating Diwali in the Classroom

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Creative ways to celebrate Diwali in the classroom

Every year Indian communities come together to celebrate the religious holiday Diwali, the celebration of lights. This year, the five day festival spans from the 21st of October to the 25th, providing a perfect opportunity to educate children with a range of literature, food and values that originate from the Indian festival.

The celebration of lights does just that, championing light over darkness and good over evil, lighting up homes across the globe. There’s more to Diwali than just putting up some lights, if you’re looking for creative ways to celebrate Diwali in the classroom, carry on reading as Education Recruitment Agency, Initial Education, have come up with their favourite ways to bring even more magic to the festival of lights.

Host a Mela

A Mela is a type of Indian street fair where local residents come together to sell their home grown produce and handmade goods. Providing the perfect opportunity to ignite student’s creative sides, hold an arts and crafts lesson or day to create pieces that students can later trade in a year group-wide or school wide Mela. Not only does this inspire imaginations, this creative way to celebrate Diwali teaches children about significant ancient artifacts an sculptures synonymous with the religious festival.

A Festival of Lights

You can’t celebrate the festival of lights without a nod to the beautiful clay candles lit by Hindu, Sikh and Jain households alike in honour of the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. Allow students to decorate the classroom with clay tea light holders and LED lights to illuminate the room throughout the 5 day festival. If you want to go a little further, introduce the magic of rangoli patterns to the class, perhaps by using coloured pencils or pens instead of sand at first to keep the mess to a minimum.

Share Stories

Include students in story time by sharing Indian stories behind the origins of Diwali and encourage students to share their own anecdotes of what each tale reminds them of. Ask students to interpret the concept of light over evil and how this occurs in their everyday lives, perhaps even ask them to bring in an object that symbolises that concept most to them. Creating relatable situations, particularly for younger children, during story time can aid in magnifying the impact of the tale you are telling and encourages a collaborative atmosphere that can create personal connections to the legend.

Food!

In line with the brightness theme, sweets are an integral part of Diwali celebrations, with the second day of the festival typically dedicated to the buying and sharing of sweets such as Halwa. Allow children to make their own sweets and take it in turns sharing tasks such as mixing to make sure that everyone gets a chance to be involved. Simple sweets to make include coconut Burfi sweets, made out of desiccated coconut, condensed milk and food colouring. Be careful of allergies as many traditional Indian sweets contain nuts and milk as a base, so be sure to read the ingredients list before sharing.

Other, more savoury snacks include bhajis, pakoras and samosas. Set children the task of going home and baking traditional Indian snacks over the weekend ready to bring in on the Monday.

As an education recruitment agency, we’d love to hear about the creative ways that you are planning on celebrating Diwali in the classroom, whether you’re an experienced teacher, ECT or teaching assistant, just get in touch via email, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter and be sure to tag us!

If you’re looking for a new challenge in Worcestershire or Gloucestershire and love working with children, get in contact with Becky from Initial Education today to hear how we can help find your ideal role.

How to find work as an NQT

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If you are a newly qualified teacher (NQT) looking to find work to no avail, you are not alone. Indeed, the emergence of coronavirus and school closures had an unexpected effect on the teaching profession, with a 17% rise in those applying for teacher training courses in 2020. There are many reasons to be positive, however, as this colossal change in the job market opens up the opportunity to take less conventional approaches into landing your first teaching role.

Whether its primary, secondary or SEN teaching that takes your fancy, here are our top tips for hitting the ground running and finding work in September as an NQT.

Join an Agency

Between January and April is a great time to sign up to an agency, so you can be ready for any roles that may become available once you’ve submitted your dissertation. There’s nothing stopping you from building up your experience and CV before September, and agencies will be a great place to help you gain this experience and foot in the door.

Education agencies have spent years building up their networks and creating relationships with schools that you could only dream of, providing you with that all important ‘in’ that you need to kickstart your career. Recruiters put the leg-work in for you and can be your best chance at securing a role.

Agencies are able to find work in supply, temporary and longer term roles, just let them know what you’re after and be open to their suggestions. With years of experience in the education industry, recruitment agencies will often know what’s best for you and your career, so reach out, register and what have you got to lose?

Consider Supply teaching

Supply teaching is fast becoming a hugely popular alternative route into teaching thanks to the incredible opportunities and flexibility that it offers. As an NQT, you will have completed several placements, however in terms of experience you will not have had the chance to work in a wide range of schools to find out where you excel best. Supply teaching offers you just this, with the chance to work at a variety of schools, from SEN primary one day to mainstream secondary the next, you could even develop a newfound love of teaching specific year groups that you’ve never given the time of day to before.

What’s more, supply teaching is a fantastic way to get your foot in the door and make yourself heard within the school community – schools are more likely to come to you when longer term roles come about than searching through a sea of CVs. This way of teaching provides many avenues for personal development as it teaches individuals the importance of being organised, adaptive and flexible and this in turn will make your CV stand out ahead of the rest when applying for those longer term roles. Reach out with a copy of your most up to date CV or simply your list of questions and we can help steer you in the right direction.

Keep Looking

The tendency is for teachers to hand in their notices in May, fulfilling their terms notice in the second half of the summer term and moving on, meaning that as a general rule of thumb you will see more roles advertised during this time. However, if you are still on the hunt for a September role in the summer, look beyond job boards and browse school websites as if they have not been successful I filling the role you could still have a chance.

Spend some time putting together a unique cover letter and go through your CV thoroughly to make sure that there are no spellng mistakes that will make your claim that you pay exceptional attention to detail look futile.

Be prepared to travel

Location is a crucial cog to consider when looking for a role as an NQT as your dream job is most likely not going to be on your doorstep. Relocating can open up your reach and availability, however if this is a step too far, consider broadening your commute radius or looking at schools with close proximity to public transport. Increasing your commute to 30-45 minutes can widen the range of opportunities available to you, particularly if you are looking to start part time or in supply.

At Initial Education we’re always looking for NQTs, experienced teachers and teaching assistants to join our talent pool, so get in touch with us today!