Many teachers look back to their first year of teaching as the crucial foundation for a successful career in the profession. Gaining the right support and following a programme of professional development which meets the needs of new entrants to teaching can make a real difference in sustaining and developing outstanding NQTs as they progress through this rewarding, yet challenging first year.
The NQT programme at Edge Hill, developed with input from its alumni, provides mentoring, practical advice and networking opportunities for graduates. There are online resources available, but one of the main features of the programme is a series of conferences, held three times a year, which bring together recent graduates, alumni and school practitioners to share knowledge and develop practical skills for the future.
To date, conference themes have included Leadership which aimed to support newly qualified teachers looking to move into positions of responsibility, Outstanding Teaching and High Standards, High Expectations. The events also include workshops on subjects ranging from outdoor learning in Early Years to great ideas for primary science to behaviour management.
Edge Hill graduate Faisal Ahmed, who completed a PGCE with RE in 2011, has presented at two NQT conferences and sees his continuing connection with the University as vital for his professional development, as well as being a way of giving something tangible back.
"When I graduated there wasn't a specific programme of support for NQTs like there is now," he says, "so I found moving into the classroom quite a big jump from being a student.
"I realised how valuable it would be to hear from recent graduates about the challenges of being a new teacher, so I was more than happy to get involved."
As well as the conferences, Faisal has maintained his links with Edge Hill in other ways including sharing his experiences with the current PGCE cohort and working with the course leader to bring trainees into his school, Stretford High School in Manchester. Faisal has recently been appointed Director of Academic School at Stretford High, with responsibility for Humanities. He believes his involvement with Edge Hill and the NQT programme was pivotal in securing his new role.
"It was useful to be able to talk about education in a wider context and draw on some of the knowledge and ideas I've gained from the NQT conferences.
"I fully intend to keep attending the conferences as they are a great way of sharing knowledge with peers and building subject networks."
"The feedback from the conferences has been outstanding," says Paul Spencer, Senior Lecturer in Professional Development and one of the NQT programme team. "This year, more than 30 NQTs who attended the conference have asked if they can come back and be involved next year. It's creating a fantastic network of new teachers who want to support each other.
"The NQT programme highlights the importance of aftercare once students have finished studying. Graduation should not mark the end of a university's role in a teacher's development; the NQT programme is a clear expression of Edge Hill's commitment to supporting new teachers through what can be a difficult transitional period."
The University's NQT Programme is free to newly qualified teachers who completed their initial teacher training at Edge Hill University. NQT Mentors looking to involve newly qualified teachers who did not complete their initial teacher training at Edge Hill, or teachers who would like to attend the conferences but didn't train at the University can find out more details about how to get involved at www.edgehill.ac.uk/nqt.
Watch video highlights from the recent NQT conference to hear how teaching graduates are benefiting from the programme; receiving vital support through what can be a difficult transitional period.
The conference brought together alumni and school practitioners to share knowledge and develop practical skills for the future, with the theme focusing on preparing for the new national curriculum. For the first time at the NQT conference TeachMeet sessions were introduced, with graduates showcasing innovative ideas and best practice in their teaching roles to their peers.
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