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Original poster

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

84 replies

SquirrelSquirrel18 · 22/06/2015 15:07

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

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InexperiencedDisneyMum · 22/06/2015 16:35

My children have both had lovely NQT's full of enthusiasm and great with the children. They have been some of their best teachers. My Dd2 has an older teacher this year. She puts no effort in and does the bare minimum I would swap for an NQT any day.

notinminutenow · 22/06/2015 18:45

It's all been said. I always liked warm, polite and professional in my DS's teachers. Loved the NQT's - full of energy and ideas.

Any awkward parents, just remember the Q and the T of your title and smile!

momtothree · 22/06/2015 18:54

NQT dd ... she would delight in telling me how she was in charge of 27 children as well as DD - sorry not interested - DD was struggling and I was asking bout ways to help. She also at parents evening mentioned the class rules and class focus ... not a word on DD personally. Parents want to know... are they happy are they making friends and how they can help. Get parents on board to help read. Send some stuff home to help. If parents are upset sympathise ... dont make promises ... and get to know the children.

imsorryiasked · 22/06/2015 19:02

Ds has an nqt for yr1 at the mo and she's been really good.
My only advice would be to have confidence in yourself and pay attention to how you come across when speaking to parents. Our nqt tends to wave her arms around a lot and appears obviously nervous
Also consider how you dress as this can give an impression that you are even younger can can give

fakenamefornow · 22/06/2015 19:08

All three of mine have had nqts at one point (primacy) they were all brilliant and IMO much better than the ones who'd been teaching for years and years.

Jayneisagirlsname · 22/06/2015 20:08

I would be not be worried at all about having an NQT for my children. Some will be good,some will be less so just as with experienced teachers.

The main thing for an NQT is having a strong team to support,mentor and nurture them. An excellent NQT with no support will likely not be able to do a good job, whereas a 'slow burner' with a great mentor might be better.

Good luck with your new job - it's the best career!

teeththief · 22/06/2015 21:36

(Havent read the other replies)

I think having an NQT in reception will make parents nervous if it's their PFB you're having. As a parent who's DC had an NQT in year 4 I wouldn't be phased in the slightest. It was one of his best years, a young, enthusiastic and keen to please teacher was the best thing that could have happened to DS!

Good luck xx

DamsonInDistress · 22/06/2015 21:47

As a parent I'd simply say do your job, and do it well and with confidence. My kids have had good NQT's and bad NQT's. The good ones have been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about the children. The bad ones have been unconfident, have not known the children properly even at the end of the year, and have generally just been a bit wet and limp. They get nothing out of the kids or the parents.

Much like qualified teachers, the issues are the same.

BikeRunSki · 22/06/2015 21:51

DS's Reception teacher (last year). The combination of young, enthusiastic, energetic, inventive teacher and older, experienced, established TA seemed to work perfectly.

twentyten · 22/06/2015 22:09

Oh squirrel one thought- nqt's have yet to acquire immune systems of iron! Make sure you look after your health and take supplements to avoid some of the bugs!!

DamnBamboo · 22/06/2015 22:30

Hi OP,

hopefully you will have an excellent mentor and great support from you SLT.
But please, be open to constructive criticism!
It is a steep learning curve.

Arguable you are not an excellent teacher, because you have not yet had the chance. A little humility will also go a long.

Good luck.

FWIW, I've had the 1 NQT for one of mine (who was ok, not fabulous) and also have another 1 for my year 1 DS in September, who did well at interview and for whom I have great hopes. We shall see.

Kaekae · 23/06/2015 00:10

My child has a NQT. I must admit I was really disappointed and apprehensive when I found out that his new teacher hadn't even graduated yet. There were a few teething problems at first but she's worked hard and is really enthusiastic. My son adores her and is happy. She's definitely changed my views on NQTs for the better.

twinkletoedelephant · 23/06/2015 00:32

I have twins one had a nqt this year (yr1) the other had a teacher who's been at the school for 5 years.

They started the year on the same levels but now ds1 is miles ahead of his brother he is 4 book bands higher and his maths is outstanding he also has a much wider vocab and loves school. Ds2 not so much.

Of you can handle you class without endless 'clapping' to get attention or by punishing the whole class because 1 or 2 can't/won't stop talking or behave great. I wouldn't care a less if you were a nqt or not as long as you can inspire my children to learn and you happy to talk to me.

I know the current yr2 teachers are all good so am hoping ds2 catches up next year he is desperate to learn but can't as his teacher can't control the class. When I go in to help/listen to readers all I hear is bloody clapping

newlark · 23/06/2015 11:01

My ds2 had NQTs in both Yr R and Yr 1 and they were fantastic, full of energy, enthusiasm and ideas and he has loved both of them (he is a challenging child and I was worried about how he would cope with school and school with him!). In both cases the TA was older and more experienced which as BikeRunSki mentions above seemed to work very well. I wish you all the best for your first year :)

ExpressNigel · 23/06/2015 14:43

I would try to remain positive although our only experience of an NQT was not good, and indeed she didn't finish the year Sad. Very sad for everyone involved.
Energy and enthusiasm - which she has aplenty are not to be undervalued for any year group - (but are not sufficient in themselves).
Good luck.

DarkHeart · 23/06/2015 23:21

My ds had an NQT in Yr5 and she was the best teacher he has ever had. She was young, enthusiastic, motivated and really engaged him.

var123 · 24/06/2015 00:06

As someone who has experience of NQTs teaching my child, I'd be cautious.
However if they are giving you their oldest child then they'll just want you to seem warm and competent and if possible make each parent feel like you "get" their child

mrz · 24/06/2015 06:35

Teachers must pass their NQT year in order to become a qualified teacher therefore any NQT who isn't giving 100% effort/enthusiasm is going to be unemployed at the end of the year.

FuckitFay · 24/06/2015 06:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

var123 · 24/06/2015 07:03

mrz- but that's the point isn't it? What happens if your child gets one of the ones who aren't going to pass their NQT year?

ASorcererIsAWizardSquared · 24/06/2015 07:23

My dcs school have a lot of nqts who only stay a year, so far he's had them in r, 2 and 3.
It's been quite a mixed bag, r was lovely, 2 was OK but we had some issues as DS has some SN and she struggled with him as she had no experience of autism and there was a massive fall out with her around Easter.
3 has, on the whole been OK, she is well supported by the senco but there are times when I feel she still doesn't really understand why things have to be a certain way for DS, and that can be frustrating for us all!

PositiveAttitude · 24/06/2015 07:28

Having had 5DC they have often had NQTs and on the whole they have been fantastic.

The one I remember for a negative instant was the NQT who tried to lecture me on what I should be feeding my underweight DD4 - who was underweight due to huge medical problems that she just did not understand. As a nurse, her mother and with years more experience behind me I was miffed to say the least and I still wish I had said what I thought to her at the time rather than being too shocked to do anything other than stand looking like a goldfish!

Oh and another one who taught DD3 (SN) - I gave her 3 weeks into the term before approaching her and asking her if she was OK with DD3's SN needs. She said she had not been told anything about them. When I said it was all in her file the NQT changed tack and said that she had not had time to look at any files. - I felt this should have been done before the start of the term for those with SN. Anyway, she didn't last the year......

I am sure you will be fine.You are obviously very caring and open to taking on board what parents are saying, so well done already and I am sure any child in your class will be very lucky.

mrz · 24/06/2015 07:33

Of course it's the point. NQTs should be enthusiastic and hardworking. They should also be supported by a very experienced mentor within school to ensure that children are taught well ... Parents should be reassured.

SitsOnFence · 24/06/2015 07:46

Flowers congratulations on the new job

My DS had a NQT in Reception, last year. Some of the parents were apprehensive but, as others have said, she largely won them over with her enthusiasm and ideas. The children all adored her. However, some pitfalls mistakes/pitfalls she made that you could avoid:

  • I'm assuming you don't have children and don't have experience of being a working parent? Parents do love to be involved, but please try and keep events minimal and near the start/end of the school day so working parents can juggle and attend as many as possible. We had lots of 1 hour open classroom type events (monthly) but always at awkward times and with little notice. Similarly, stay at home parents were discouraged from bringing younger children along, so few of them were able to attend either.
  • similarly with homework, please try and set tasks that don't take up massive chunks of the weekend! DD is now in Reception with a different teacher (working parent) and the reduction in homework has been very welcome.
  • check your grammar! Get your apostrophes in the right places and make sure you know your their/there/they're and your/you're etc. The odd mistake is fine, every week however and parents will start to worry.

On a side note, we had an OFSTED inspection that year and it was noted that Reception wasn't good at differentiating work, especially for the more able children. Maybe another one to be aware of?

Good luck!

SitsOnFence · 24/06/2015 07:49

Sorry, that sounds very negative!

DS had a brilliant year and the PSHE side of things was fantastic (which, in my mind, is the most important thing for Reception)