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ECT

Any advice for ECT year?
(edited 2 years ago)
Hello @mcd_connor

Keep up with the good habits (or improve the poor ones!) from your initial training period and collect and store your QTS evidence as you go along and not leave it until the last min! Also, keep visiting teachers in other departments and observing their practice. There are loads of nuance in the skills and techniques teachers have and always something to learn for observing others and useful to know what the students are up to in others areas. Don't be the first person to volunteer for EVERYTHING! Yes, step up and play your part, but nail your teaching first. The students need to take the priority. Do create a marking timetable - and stick to it. It's nice to put your feet up in PPA time, but use the time constructively or you'll fall behind and never catch up on yourself.

Most importantly - ENJOY it! :smile:

Jane
Original post by mcd_connor
Any advice for ECT year?

It might be useful to share a bit more about yourself? What age group are you working with? What's your subject specialism?

Any areas you particularly want advice on?

In general, I would say:

-Try to keep on top of deadlines such as reports.
-Don't spend ages trying to reinvent the wheel. Share and adapt planning where possible.
-Try to be organised with your marking and homework setting where relevant- don't let it pile up.
-You will have to really work at relationships in a way that established staff don't. It's not personal, but it can make things tough. A little bit of praise can go a long way.
-Try to make time to do stuff for you outside of work.
-Ask for help if you need it.
-Observe others and talk to others as and when you can. It doesn't need to be a full lesson, even 20 minutes spent watching someone really good can really help!
Original post by SarcAndSpark
It might be useful to share a bit more about yourself? What age group are you working with? What's your subject specialism?

Any areas you particularly want advice on?

In general, I would say:

-Try to keep on top of deadlines such as reports.
-Don't spend ages trying to reinvent the wheel. Share and adapt planning where possible.
-Try to be organised with your marking and homework setting where relevant- don't let it pile up.
-You will have to really work at relationships in a way that established staff don't. It's not personal, but it can make things tough. A little bit of praise can go a long way.
-Try to make time to do stuff for you outside of work.
-Ask for help if you need it.
-Observe others and talk to others as and when you can. It doesn't need to be a full lesson, even 20 minutes spent watching someone really good can really help!

They're super tips. :smile:

Original post by mcd_connor
Any advice for ECT year?

As well as Sarc's great advice above, I'd also add don't worry if things aren't perfect. Not every lesson needs to be an OFSTED quality one, not every child has to be perfectly differentiated for...someone isn't going to come and take you out and shoot you in the back of the head because you forgot to print that worksheet off on blue paper for that bloody Irlens child and they're going to have to use their overlay instead...

Relax. So long as no-one dies, no-one ends up in hospital, you haven't had to buzz SLT to remove every child in your class...some days that's a success. Accept that - no, welcome it! :smile:
Original post by Reality Check
They're super tips. :smile:


As well as Sarc's great advice above, I'd also add don't worry if things aren't perfect. Not every lesson needs to be an OFSTED quality one, not every child has to be perfectly differentiated for...someone isn't going to come and take you out and shoot you in the back of the head because you forgot to print that worksheet off on blue paper for that bloody Irlens child and they're going to have to use their overlay instead...

Relax. So long as no-one dies, no-one ends up in hospital, you haven't had to buzz SLT to remove every child in your class...some days that's a success. Accept that - no, welcome it! :smile:


Oh, yes, WRT it's worth making sure you build in some lessons that are easier for you! Whether it's a revision lesson where students just make their own resources, a bit of extended writing, an assessment that takes up most/all of a lesson, some self directed research, all of these things are hugely valuable, but they give you a bit of a break from having to be constantly "on it"- which is important when you have a full timetable!
Original post by SarcAndSpark
but they give you a bit of a break from having to be constantly "on it"- which is important when you have a full timetable!

Or a chance to catch up with some marking :tongue:
Original post by Reality Check
Or a chance to catch up with some marking :tongue:

Oh yes- managing to learn the skill of marking whilst the kids do some independent work is a huge time-saver!
Original post by SarcAndSpark
Oh yes- managing to learn the skill of marking whilst the kids do some independent work is a huge time-saver!

God Bless peer learning, and all who sail in her :laugh:
Original post by Reality Check
God Bless peer learning, and all who sail in her :laugh:

Peer and self marking are hugely valuable tools for lots of reasons :wink:

But no, seriously @mcd_connor the first year is tough, your workload will be high, and anything you can do to make that more managable is important.

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