How do you feel about having an NQT as your class teacher?

[SquirrelSquirrel18]

Hi everyone :)

I'm starting my first teaching job in a Reception classroom this coming September. I do not have any children and am 22yrs old but do have family with young children and have obviously undertaken lots of training to get where I am.

What I was wondering, as mums and potentially other teachers, how would you feel about having a newly qualified teacher who is relatively young looking after your 4 year old!?

I am confident that I'm an excellent teacher but I am nervous about how parents will receive me. I expect them to be nervous about their children starting school but do you think that as I am starting out in the career that it would cause any worries? If yes, what do you think I can do to help put my parents minds at ease?

Thank you for your help.

Charlotte xx

[orangepudding]

My sons Y2 teacher is an NQT. His teacher is fabulous, really patient and enthusiastic. My DS has various SEN and his teachers handles him really well. His Y1 teacher was in her second year of teacher and was also very good.
I am happy for my children's to have NQTs.

[twentyten]

Congratulations!! Not a problem- I have interviewed and selected some brilliant nqt's for reception as a governor and parent. Look confident- wear something smart and bright but obviously practical and be welcoming- be really clear on all the rules re parents in classrooms/ handing over children etc- and I guarantee all the mums will be more terrified of leaving their dc! Find out all issues re Sen a sap too.

[caravanista13]

I'd be pleased to have someone who's likely to be full of energy and new ideas. The best way to make a good first impression is lots of smiles and eye contact for the children and the parents.

[twentyten]

Another good tip- if you can find out if the children in the class have siblings already in/ through school- so you know which will be the newbie parents to the school. A letter introducing yourself with info is also good. Will you be at any intro days? Make yourself available to parents.

[FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse]

I love it when my dcs get an NQT, in my experience they have been energetic, inventive and enthusiastic, and have really passed on a joy of learning. I think there are advantages to experience, and advantages to being new.

Be professional at all times, and you'll be fine.

[tumbletumble]

My DC have had several NQTs during their time at primary school. I don't see it as a negative thing at all.

My advice would be to develop a thick skin. Some parents like to moan - don't take it personally!

[GooseyLoosey]

My experience of an NQT in Yr 1 was not great. Ds also had an NQ form teacher in Yr 7 and there were similar issues.

Neither teacher formed a great relationship with the kids and they were not very good at controlling the unruly ones. In each case, I think it was down to nerves and lack of experience. I would be worried about a repeat if I was faced with an NQT again.

I think the ability to reflect on what might not be going right and have the confidence to ask for help when needed would be great.

[SquirrelSquirrel18]

Thank you everyone. All of this is really encouraging :)

I do have some induction afternoons where parents and children will be coming in to meet me and see their classroom.

I will definitely find out about siblings and send an info letter out!

Thanks for the great tips :)

[Youmakemydreams]

Sd has had a nqt twice was two different schools. I can honestly say they were both absolutely brilliant. The one she had in p2 (scotland) was amazing. She was and I'm sure still is a great teacher.
She has had the same one the past two years in her final two years at primary and he has been a fantastic support during her diagnosis of sn and was also very up to date on current support strategies. He has just been offered a permanent position at the school and he deserves it.
Agree you need a thick skin. The patents that will moan are generally the ones that moan whether you have taught for 5 months or 15 years. It isn't peraonal.

[Loveleopardprint]

Be kind to the mums/dads. As an NQT teaching Reception many years ago, I did wonder why the parents tried to hang around. It was only later when I had my own kids that I realised it is hard to give your child to a complete stranger for a whole day when perhaps you haven't done that before.

[TeenAndTween]

My DD has had an NQT this year (juniors). DD has had a fab year, and the teacher seems to be well supported by her mentor.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

I'll be honest, I don't feel dd's last teacher (NQT), did a great job. She was a lovely person, but I felt like I was being one of 'those' parents who had to go in on a few occasions - and there were several of us that year. And I also felt she thought I was criticising her when I was very conscious of not doing that, she looked like she'd be about to burst into tears most days.

We however, have mixed year classes (small village school) and I think this was where the problem was. The teacher started towards the end of dd's first year at school as she was maternity cover.

Come the September, there were suddenly a lot of changes brought in, even down to removing lots of chairs and several tables from the classroom. Granted most of them affected the new reception class. But I feel her focus was very much on the blank slate new children, where she could demonstrate huge leaps in their learning rather than helping the year 1's consolidate and further their learning.

Dd started lagging in reading because she was bored with the easy books she was getting (yes, I know it's about comprehension too). Twice I asked how we could help dd progress as she was getting frustrated. Suddenly they'd do a reading assessment on her and she would leap up the levels. The last time they did this she jumped 10 levels then they stopped her assessment as they ran out of time. The TA admitted they should have done one much sooner but as dd hadn't been reading in school as she read daily at home, they had missed her.

I wouldn't object to my dc ever having an NQT, I do think there could be lots to be gained from having a teacher who isn't disillusion by their work and who brings fresh ideas to the classroom. But I would also be watching my children like Hawks to make sure they weren't dipping under the radar as opposed to dc who were perhaps more obvious in their needs at school.

[Finola1step]

Hi there. I've been in the job nearly 20 years but my nqt year seems not that long ago at all. I'm also a mum of 2 dc, one in primary school, the youngest starts in September. I can therefore advise from both sides of the fence.

I would be quite pleased if my dc have an nqt. My ds had a teacher just out of her nqt year when he was in Reception and she was fab. I did keep a close eye on his progress but all was good.

The key things to remember:

1. Some parents will be old hands, some will be newbies. Get to know who is which very quickly.
2. Newbie parents may expect more "feedback" from you on a daily basis as this may be what they are.used to at day nursery / pre school. Don't fall into this. Check with more experienced teachers what the school would expect. If you give a full 5 minutes feedback to Johnnie's mum on Day 1, it will be expected and others will expect it too!
3. Be professional at all times. Do not send out any information about yourself. This type of thing would usually come via the school management, office or website.
4. Never give out your personal email. Do not accept Facebook friends requests from parents. Schools have very strict policies about internet safety for yourself as well as the children.
5. Be friendly, cheerful, polite and firm. Boundaries are very important for all. Parents want to know that there child is safe and happy with you. Be approachable and listen to concerns raised. Follow school procedures for handling complaints, bullying etc at all times.
6. Be confident. You got this job on your own merits. You may be an nqt, but that does not come into your relationship with the children or parents. You are the teacher, end of.
7. Some parents will love you, some not bothered, some will dislike you. This will happen every year. See point 6.
8. Enjoy your time in the class, have fun. Reception parents IME are happy if their children to be happy to come to school, make some friends, learn to read and join in. Everything else is the cherry on the top.

[Minisoksmakehardwork]

I also think it was quite telling for this particular NQT that she chose not to take up another teaching post but became childminder instead.

[Finola1step]

Oops. Their not there and various other typos, missing words . Dear oh dear.

[ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp]

When we were told our DS was getting an NQT in P2 (Scotland) and it would also be a composite class p2/3, I will say I did have some concerns initially but actually it turned out great. She was young, enthusiastic, brimming with ideas to keep the kids engaged in learning and FUN.he had a great year and when he got allocated her again for P3 we had no qualms at all. I think it helped that she was very closely mentored in a smallish school and they were very open about discussing any concerns anybody may have had. She's now permanent and still to my knowledge doing a fab job.

[TheRealMaryMillington]

DD has been taught by an NQT this year, and she has had one of her best years yet much better than the year before last with the jaded person off sick half the year who eventually packed in and emigrated

I agree with Finola especially regarding point 2 and the expectations of newbies.

[ToomuchChocolatemeansBootcamp]

And the only thing I would say about reception is, be warm and friendly and understanding but also be able to draw a line so that the more, er, dramatic parents know where they stand )or rather don't - get OUT of the classroom now thanks )

[FunkyPeacock]

I have generally found the NQTs who have taught my DC to be enthusiastic, energetic and more open to feedback than a lot of more experienced teachers

I certainly wouldn't see it as a negative thing

[SquirrelSquirrel18]

Thank you for all of this brilliant advice - lots of things I had not even thought about.

And it is also great to hear about some negative experiences as it tells me the pitfalls I can hopefully hop over! :)

[Lordofmyflies]

My Dd had a NQT for Yr 2. To be honest, it wasn't great. Though he was enthusiastic, he struggled with discipline and behaviour spiralled downhill.

My DD loved him, as did most of the children as everyday seemed to be playdays, but the general consensus amongst parents was results suffered and he was moved to a non-sat year very soon.

[twentyten]

Brilliant advice from finola- you are not there as their friend or mum. Good luck!

[Lindy2]

My DD had an NQT for year 1. I liked the fact she was likely to have some new and fresh ideas. Unfortunately it was quite a lively class and I don't think she had developed the techniques yet to deal with class behaviour. Some children did well but quite a high proportion of the class fell behind. My DD fell behind too because she is a child that needed to be kept on track but was given too much freedom to mess around instead. The NOT left for another teaching post elsewhere at the end of the year.
With a much more experienced teachers in year 2 she has done much better.
It wouldn't put me off an NQT going forward but it would make me a little wary. I think class behaviour management is probably just as important as teaching well but not necessarily something NQTs are taught.

[mammasmadhouse]

My DD started junior school with a NQT, who was lovely but unfortunately left after just 4 months. Year 4 saw another newly qualified teacher who again was very nice, but left at Christmas to undertake a PhD.

[gleegeek]

I agree with everything Finola1step said!

I loved my NQT class and sometimes bump into their parents - they are nearly 20 now I think I offered a huge amount to the children and was on top of all the new education initiatives so could talk the talk. I lacked confidence with the parents at times, but loved having my own class to nurture. They made great progress inspite of my lack of experience, but I did work incredibly hard to keep on top of it all.

I would have loved my dd to have had an NQT whilst she was at primary. I think she has a couple at secondary and there seem to be a few unresolved behaviour issues, so perhaps secondary aged kids are out for blood!

Remember you have worked hard to qualify - and will continue to work hard - be kind to yourself, NQT year is mega!