Primary Teaching Personal Statement

This is my personal statement that got me all five offers for a Primary Teaching degree with QTS!!

Education has an immense impact on a child's life. It helps to develop the way they think, behave and tackle any obstacles that are thrown their way and I think that teachers themselves are the prime reason for this. All throughout my education I can recall both positive and negative interactions I have had with teachers, and the effect that these have had on my life are profound. Every child deserves to be treated with respect and have their voice heard. This sentiment has encouraged me to pursue a teaching degree as I want to be this figure for children, and support them wherever possible.

This year I am completing a MOOC on teaching maths to children, and the process of them understanding mathematical concepts, ranging from connecting quantity and numbers, to collecting data. This has helped me to understand how mathematical knowledge develops as children go through primary school and how teachers build on past ideas to help children understand new, more difficult concepts. At college I am studying A Level English Language, which as well as underlying the fundamentals of language and creative expression, also explores child language acquisition. This will benefit my ability to teach literacy to young children as I have a thorough understanding of the milestones they should be hitting at each age group as well as a genuine appreciation of language itself. I am also studying A Level Mathematics which will allow me to gain a further understanding which will benefit my ability to teach younger children these key skills and expand their knowledge of further application. My third A Level is Religious studies which examines multiple different cultures and belief systems, allowing me to understand the cultures of both pupils and parents. Studying these particular A Levels will aid me in my pursuit to become a teacher as it gives me advanced knowledge of subjects on the primary school curriculum.

I have taken part in multiple enrichments, including the opportunity to teach a group of children, aged 9-11, an introduction to high school RE at a local primary school. This gave me the opportunity to examine how children learn in the classroom and see activities that are suitable for children in years five and six. Being in a classroom setting developed my understanding of how teachers interact with pupils as they exhibit different behaviours, for example - how they would solve disruptive behaviour and encourage participation. Recently, I have secured placement at a local primary school which started on the 3rd of November and will continue on until the end of the school year. During my placement I will be working with a year one class, reading with them one-to-one and observing lessons. This will further my experience with primary school age children, and expand my knowledge of age-appropriate classroom activities. Outside of college I partake in a yearly pantomime at my local theatre. This group contains a range of ages and is a great opportunity to interact with many different people and also develop my confidence whilst on stage. I have also completed vocal lessons for five years which has taught me dedication and perseverance, especially when learning songs above my range and my own personal experience as part of a large family has also augmented my desire to work with children. Studying a primary education degree will support me towards my goal of becoming a teacher, which will then allow me to support younger children throughout their primary school years.

Although this may not be as useful since they’ve changed the structure I still thought I’d post it incase anyone benefited from it!!

Did a double take as I thought it was a live PS, but since the structure has changed it's fine (plus you're already in!)
Thanks for sharing!