Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Having my NQT observation during supply teaching

17 replies

MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 21:51

In Wales, the NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) year can be completed on supply (obviously it would take longer to complete). I didn't want to complete my NQT year on supply but had no choice as it i didn't secure a job.
But my External Mentor keeps emailing me saying we need to sort an observation soon before i reach 140 sessions. I have done 55 sessions so I feel I have plenty of time and realistically I don't think it's ideal to complete my observation in a random class as i think that's an unfair advantage compared to those who actually have their own class.
I emailed her and said I don't understand how it works, am i supposed to get in touch with a school to see if i can have my observation there or do i wait until im prebooked?
She said usually people have their observation on prebooked days and hopefully we can get it done this term.

But i cant magic a prebooked day up. Last term, it was mostly day-to-day. And even if i get a prebooked day, being observed in a class i dont know seems bizarre Hmm
I understand if i was booked in a slot.
I, personally, would rather wait until i have my own class but in Wales you have to claim all your supply days so there is no choice.

I am currently enjoying supply and it's only this observation that's stressing me out. Some days I get TA days so it's not always teaching.
This half term, i have been so stressed, unsure whether to just contact a school i have been to a few times to do it there. But it all seems so complicated - asking the school, then finding out what days my mentor is free and what day suits the school (that's if they'd agree),
And it also means taking a day unpaid which like a lot of people, i really couldnt afford to do :(
I just feeling like crying and it's getting me really down. So much on my mind it's making me feel zombie-like this week.
Needed to vent :( i feel stuck

OP posts:
Bananasandchocolatecustard · 23/02/2020 21:58

You have my sympathies. An observation is stressful anyway, never mind for a NQT assessment.
Would the assessor make any allowances because it’s an unknown class?
If you have been to a school a few times could you ask if you could “book“ a lesson with a nice class and get the observation out of the way? I’d offer the school the lesson as a freebie to get the observation done.

Dommina · 23/02/2020 22:00

Could you email a school that you're often booked at to see if you can do it, then let the mentor and the school talk about dates?

Do you know DHTs, AHTs, or HTs at some schools that you could ask? Often, its about who you know.
The schools will have your back I'm sure!

Original poster
MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 22:02

Yes I could do! I'm just worried about taking an unpaid day since money is tight anyway :(

OP posts:
Original poster
MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 22:04

I just find the system so unfair that youre forced to do an observation on supply to go through your NQT year,
England do not do this and I can see why because supply teaching is so different to what it'd be like if you have youre own class

OP posts:
RuudGullitOnAShed · 23/02/2020 22:04

We have had NQTs on supply observed in school - they've always offered to teach the lesson as a freebie. In return they get to choose their class.

I suggest you agree a provisional time with your assessor and then approach a school where you have felt comfortable teaching - ideally one where you have taught a number of lessons - and ask if it is possible for you to be observed.

Original poster
MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 22:05

Yes maybe I should get in touch with the school I like then and just suck up an unpaid day

OP posts:
RuudGullitOnAShed · 23/02/2020 22:06

I know you have said money is tight and teaching unpaid isn't ideal but I think you have to look at it as professional development.
I would only be a lesson, not a full day and you don't know for certain that you'd be offered paid work on that day anyway,

For what it's worth if we need supply anyway we pay the NQT, we also try and offer them other days as well.

Original poster
MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 22:09

Thanks RuudGullitOnAShed,
Just wondering how the supply teachers got in touch with your school about teaching? Did they email and if so, who?
Do i just send am email to the email address on their website?

OP posts:
RuudGullitOnAShed · 23/02/2020 22:10

They either emailed or just came in and asked the HT

They've all been teachers who have worked previously in the school - if in doubt I'd email the admin account of the school as they can pass it on to whoever would make the decision/coordinate the observation

LuckyLickitung · 23/02/2020 22:18

I did my NQT year on two long term supply jobs. Not ideal as I copped cobbled together timetables and didn't have the full support and NQT time. I did some casual supply too but wasn't observed in those phases, just by the staff I worked with long term (England, early 2000s so the GTC was a governing body then).

Emmelina · 23/02/2020 22:23

Taking an unpaid day in a school you’ve been to a few times sounds your best bet! Good luck, observations are stressful!

Did you know MN has a “staffroom” in the education section of the forum? :)

Original poster
MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 22:30

I've emailed the school i've been to numerous time :) fingers crossed they can allow it since i've only been on supply since September so that's the only school so far i've made a "connection" with

OP posts:
Original poster
MikaButterfly · 23/02/2020 22:30

Thanks for giving me the kick up the butt i needed Grin

OP posts:
RuudGullitOnAShed · 23/02/2020 23:04

Pob luc!
I hope they can accommodate you.

Alex34 · 01/02/2022 07:34

I know no one has posted on this thread for a year but worth a shot.

If you're a supply and you're being observed and you have to carry out your observation in a school you're supplying in. For the lesson you're being observed for, do you have to plan your own lesson or can you teach the lesson that has been planned by the class teacher? Just wondering how it works with supply.

RedHelenB · 01/02/2022 07:41

@MikaButterfly

I just find the system so unfair that youre forced to do an observation on supply to go through your NQT year, England do not do this and I can see why because supply teaching is so different to what it'd be like if you have youre own class
If you need to be working every day financially then can't you get even a temporary position in a school? It's one lesson, you'll have been observed in your teacher training already. Pick the nicest class in the nicest school and have a chat with the headteacher to see if you can do it there. If no, move into the next one. You are making one hours observation into a much bigger deal than it needs to be.
R0tational · 01/02/2022 07:44

It will be fine! Practice managing your anxiety not your teaching! You sound overly worried, but I bet you're excellent at teaching. Good luck!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page