Hiring an NQT : What To Look Out For

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Hiring a new, inexperienced NQT or member of staff can be a tough decision, and although you may feel yourself gravitating to those candidates offering years of experience, a young or newly qualified teacher can bring so many strengths to your educational setting. Indeed, the drive and passion of new teachers is unrivalled, bringing with them a new approach and energy to the curriculum. Take a look at Initial Education’s key things to look out for when you’re hiring new teachers.

Flexibility and adaptability

At Initial Education we believe that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and the best teachers are those that are able to adapt to differing and challenging situations on a daily basis without getting flustered. When hiring an NQT, look at whether they have completed supply work previously or worked with both mainstream and SEN schools as this is a clear indicator of an individual’s ability to adapt to alternative environments.

Enthusiasm

Love what you do and do what you love. Teaching isn’t easy at the best of times so when hiring NQTs, look out for those that have a true passion for what they do and why they do it. Passion and enthusiasm go a long way in teaching as a teacher’s energy can easily be reflected onto those in the classroom, creating a great learning environment for all those involved. Indeed, when hiring an NQT you should consider that they are likely to incorporate new technologies into the classroom fresh from training, keeping pupils engaged and reinforcing their love for school.

Patience is underrated

A crucial skill that is often overlooked, educators that display patience and a degree of tranquillity are hugely valuable. Regardless of age group, pupils learn differently, misbehave, or simply struggle to process information in the same way. When hiring an NQT, look for those that are able to remain calm, cool and collected in even the most frustrating of situations in order to get the most out of their students.

Communication

Fundamental to teaching success, look for teachers that are able to effectively communicate with pupils, their parents and other teaching staff. Indeed, contributing to the learning development of students requires exceptional communication with other teachers in order to tailor your approach to each class. Additionally, building trusting relationships with parents and pupils is great for keeping students engaged in their learning, making the best teachers those that are able to demonstrate that they are able to provide effective and constructive feedback.

Furthermore, look at your existing team of staff and take into consideration the benefits that they would obtain from bringing on a newly qualified teacher. Indeed, this provides fantastic opportunities for existing staff to develop their own leadership and mentoring competencies, alongside reflecting on new techniques and practices.

Consider an agency

If you’re worried about the calibre of staff that you bringing to a school, whether they be newly qualified teachers of those with years of experience, consider looking to an agency for assistance. We’ve done the leg work for you and have a pool of the best NQTs and experienced teachers in the area, saving you time and worry. What’s more, we make safeguarding children our top priority, so when taking on a new teacher or teaching assistant from Initial Education you don’t have to worry. All our candidates are interviewed, and references are thoroughly reviewed prior to registration, in addition to an up-to-date enhanced DBS check.

If you’re looking for teaching staff for supply, temporary or longer-term work, we have a great pool of candidates and would love to hear from you, just get in touch.

World First Aid Day – 10th September 2021

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Today is World First Aid day (10th September 2021). Take a look at some useful facts below… It’s so important for young people to be taught the basics of first aid for those life saving situations.

 

Education – We’re here for you!

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All those working in the Education sector are under a huge amount of strain and pressure during lockdown 3. Adjusting to new ways of doing things, with very little guidance on how, as well as little technological support.

This, for many, is a brand new way of teaching. There are bound to be hiccups and things to test all along the way – it’s more important than ever that teachers and parents work together, with a method for sharing constructive feedback by teachers, parents and students. Listening for all is vital, with adjustments being made as necessary. There is no rule book for teaching in school while also providing a learning provision for those being educated at home! We’re all finding our feet with this.

Many are resorting to Zoom sessions or using Teams as a way of communicating, which means relying on the wonders of technology. Here are our top tips for effective video calls:

  • With distractions in the classroom and at home for students, it’s important that within the classroom setting, you always face the camera with your head clearly in shot
  • Project your voice so you can be heard clearly.
  • Provide supporting documents, so the pupils have everything to hand for each lesson prior to the call.
  • Ask online learners to contribute just as much as if they were in the classroom, to enable them to feel included – you should have a system for taking children off ‘mute’ so they are able to speak, without talking over others.
  • Make lessons fun, interactive and use more visual aids.
  • Record lessons in case pupils are unable to join, or need to refer back to things said.
  • Do bitesize lessons rather than lengthy discussions – it is harder for children to concentrate when following lessons online.
  • Try and provide short 1:1 sessions for each online learner each week – if capacity allows.

We appreciate this is new for everyone. There will be bumps in the road, there will be frustrations, but together we can all find a way through, and we know it won’t be forever.

Ay Initial Recruitment, we remain here throughout lockdown to assist you. If you are struggling to recruit or need additional resource, we can help.

We are able to provide staff in the following areas:

  • 1:1 TA’s
  • General TA’s
  • Teachers for sick cover
  • FTC or catch up sessions

Please contact us for a confidential chat to see if we can offer a cost effective or interim solution.

Becky Oram

Initial Recruitment – Education

Let’s look for the positives

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2021, 11 days in, almost half way through the month already. Hasn’t been great so far has it?! January is cold, dark and miserable enough in its own right so Lockdown 3.0 could easily leave us all feeling overwhelmed and pretty fed up.

I’m lucky enough to have great work colleagues who all look out for and support each other. While business continues to go through a less buoyant period, there is still plenty for us to focus on and to work hard towards. The Construction industry for us continues to be business as usual, we have vacancies to fill across the country. The Education sector are facing a challenging time, with additional strains being put on teaching staff to not only educate key worker children within the classroom, but also provide a learning provision for those children home-schooling. Hats off to them, they are working incredibly hard and we want to extend our thanks to all teachers and support staff. Having 4 children of my own now being home schooled, we are getting just a small taste of how tough your jobs really are.

At Initial Recruitment, we will do what we can to provide hints and tips and provide resource information for our colleagues in the Education sector and are open to fill any short or long term vacancies you may have during this difficult period.

The team and I have the greatest sympathy for those industries being directly affected by the economic downturn, especially the hospitality and leisure sector where recruitment is all but nonexistent. I hope that when the time come’s everyone makes the effort to support those businesses.

Let’s look for some positives. The days are still short but are getting longer, which means Spring is on the way and who doesn’t love Spring?

When Lockdown 3.0 comes to an end and some level of normality returns, we will once again be able socialise with friends and family, and go to our favourite restaurants and bars.  Until then, I plan to do my civil duty and follow the rules while doing my best to continue making the business a success and enjoying life at home. Oh, also lose some weight.

Joe Goatley

Managing Director

Initial Recruitment