We see interview clips of seven young professional teachers, followed by five associates, in a range of school environments, speaking about their experiences of teaching in Derby.
Josey White, PGCE Student and Early Careers Teacher
A kid came to me the other day and went, “Miss, are you a trainee teacher?” And I went, “Yeah.” She went, “Are you sure?” And I went, “Yeah, I really am.” And it’s the fact that they think that I'm actually doing a good job and I am a proper teacher is one of the most rewarding things. I'm dyslexic.
When I was at school, it was very pushed to the side; “-Yeah, you'll be you'll be fine.”, “Don't worry about it,” “You'll get there in a minute.” I had a fantastic teacher. I want to basically give back exactly what she did. Even if it just helps one student, basically, that one student matters.
Catherine Morris, PGCE Graduate and Secondary Teacher
I'd heard good things about the Uni itself, so I thought, why not give it a try? The thing that kind of attracted me to it is the way that it was set up. So it wasn't like you were completely in a school just for the entire time, like some programmes are. And it also wasn't that you were in uni for ages and then straight into school for ages. It was kind of mixed in together, which I really liked, because that suited me perfectly.
Peter Sandham, PGCE Graduate and Secondary Science Lead
The way my teacher training worked was I spent most of my time in schools, and I had one day a week where I did my training at the university. So it was very, very hands on. And that day at university was really important to kind of decompress, discuss what we'd seen, help plan, because it can be quite overwhelming when you get started. And, having people you can talk to and people in a similar position on the training course really, really helps you stay on track.
Aaliyah Connelly, PGCE Graduate and Secondary Teacher
In the lectures and in the seminars, that was a really, really collective environment for everyone. And we were always welcome to ask questions if we were ever unsure about anything. It wasn't a “Oh we're running out of time / we haven't got time for this. Put your hand down.” It was always a “Yeah, come on, it's an open floor; what do you need? We can all learn from each other.”
I'm quite familiar from growing up with the same realities and the same challenges that the students in the center of Derby face. I learn about me through them and they learn about them through me, because we can have those, those kind of, experiences that we can all relate to. You're learning along the way how to handle different situations, how to help, how to help people progress, and also how to help yourself progress.
I've just learned and continue to learn so much about myself and so much about my limits and what I'm capable of. And that's all because of what I've got from Derby and how they supported me to become how and who I am today.
Ben Barrass, BEd Graduate and Primary Teacher
My teacher training experience has motivated me. And pushed me to be an individual that's ready to go out into schools You might look at, forest school and outdoor learning. You might look at SEND and English as an additional language. So the fact that you can focus not just on the teaching side, but you've got the child as a whole, it really puts you in good stead, ready for when you are going out into the field. If you're thinking about training or working at Derby, definitely go for it because it's a fantastic opportunity. And for somebody like me who went in to university thinking, it's not for me, I just want a career in teaching...I absolutely loved it at the University of Derby, and it's been able to really push me out of my comfort zone and be a lot more confident.
Amenze Dandy, PGCE Graduate and Primary Teacher
Right from the very start, they just kind of helped us in terms of planning your time, I think that was very important, especially if you're a working mum and you've got a family and all of that. I think one of the good things about Derby University is that they have a wide range of schools where they send you to. So if one school isn’t working and they've come to assess it, then they are able to send you on to another place where you might be able to work and thrive because every school is different. And I think for me, that was something that helped because it helped build my resilience. For me, it was life changing.
Adam Booth, PGCE School Direct Graduate and Secondary Teacher
The approach that Derby Uni take, makes it stand out as they work really, really closely to ensure that our mentors are looking at certain aspects that we've been looking at at university in that week. I received lots of support when it came to job interviews, they really helped with the professional development and making sure that our placement schools were right for us. The way that they structure the entire year with placements and university days, it's, it's a real benefit to your career and it's a really enjoyable experience.
Abbie Sheldon, Primary Key Stage Lead
Derby is an excellent place to train to teach and also to teach. The support that you can get from schools, teachers, the local authority is fantastic. It's a brilliant place to be.
Richard Best, Secondary Teacher and Head of Science
Working in a city like Derby is even more rewarding because you've got communities that that want opportunity. You've got communities that want change. And to be part of that positive change for the whole community as well as those students in front of you, changing their lives, changing their futures - it’s incredibly rewarding, every day.
Ruth Brown, Associate Assistant Headteacher
I think Derby University would be an excellent choice if you were choosing to train to teach. There are a wide variety of schools around Derby that would suit you. Whatever you are looking for in a school in Derby, you will find a school that would fit what you're looking for.
Mohammed Haroon, Assistant Headteacher
When it comes to University of Derby, I would say it's got great facilities, it's got great tutors that I've worked with personally, there's been fantastic trainees that have come through. The programmes are very thorough. The trainees that we are giving placements to and are becoming successful, whether they're getting jobs here or elsewhere, it's the future that we are ultimately making better and brighter.
Jamie Drake, Assistant Headteacher
My advice if you're thinking of working in Derby, is just to go for it. Embrace the diversity of our communities. Throw yourself into every opportunity available, because there is so much that Derby has to offer And ultimately you will develop yourself and you'll see if you want a career within teaching, that you would develop really well within our city and hopefully become the teacher that you want to be.
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