The Pressure of the NQT year

So you've done it. The gruelling year of managing planning, collating evidence to meet Q standards and dealing with numerous critical observations is over and you are a qualified teacher. 

The bad news I'm afraid is that the hard work is just beginning. It's time to go it alone for the first time, your first job. No longer can you hide under the protective cloak of 'trainee' - you are now the teacher. The only teacher. Just you and a TA (hopefully) against the masses.

What I found most difficult is the 'being thrown in at the deep end' sensation. I was used to a schedule that had been prepared by someone else. Now it is me making the schedule. By passing the training year you are obviously capable of working as a teacher (how some people slipped through that year I will never know!) but it's the bits they don't train you for that come as a surprise. Are you prepared to fight tooth and nail for your hall slot? Are you aware of the expectations of doing a parent's evening on your own? I hope so because that is the reality.


Having a good mentor in your NQT year is important. I was lucky and was working alongside somebody who had been teaching for 5 years and so had a pretty good grasp on the role and expectations. Use the mentor wisely. They will be able to offer advice on school related issues as well as suggestions on how to effectively maintain a work life balance. 


Ensure you are given all the time you are supposed to have. PPA and NQT time is a requirement and the school will be breaking LEA codes if you are not given this time out of the classroom. 


A stressful home life will affect your classroom performance and so keeping a healthy balance of work and home life is vital. Allocate pockets of time and at least 1 day off at the weekend to recharge your batteries and spend time with friends and family. I know it is hard but also try to avoid talking about school - the people around you will be sick of this conversation and you will not be totally switching off of you are talking about work. 


At this time of year I can imagine many NQT's will be feeling seriously under pressure. The new term is speeding by and there is still loads to be done. Relax, prioritise and ease yourself towards half term. Only another 2 and a half to go!