Just found out DS's reception teacher (to be) is newly qualified and this is her first job after qualifying!

[MamaG]

TBH I thought I'd be really pissed off but I think it might be a good thing. I'm hoping she'll be really keen and as she's young, the children will like her

She visited pre-school yesterday (not part of school) and DS liked her, said she seemed kind. The pre-school teachers said they liked her, the leader (a blunt Yorkshirewoman!) was impressed by the way she took their observations on board and wasn't all "I'm a teacher" about things.

My dd is in Yr2 and has a NQT teacher, she's great! (she is also young enough to be my daughter)

Ds' Reception teacher from September is also NQT.

Not sure about your theory, Twiglett. We have had NQTs in most years, including Year 2! Year 6 is the only year I have never known an NQT to be in.

In fact, that particular teacher, the one in Year 2, was especially good in just about every way and 6 years later has just got her first headship!

I wouldn't worry at all about any child of mine having an NQT.

I assume that Twiglett is just talking for her school?

Ds1 has had a Yr2 teacher fresh out of university - not sure what she would be classified as, but has had various supervisions and some extra days off training this year so I think that she gets her NQT status at the end of this year? Anyway she has been fab, has introduced new ideas in the classroom, and the boys have thrived. Her mentor was the class's reception teacher so she also knew the children well, and the teacher had done some work experience at the school as well. However we have previously had teachers in their 40s so it has been a bit of a shock dealing with someone so young (most parents are late 30s). Would have been easier if she hadn't told the class her age!

I think that most parents were a little worried about such a youngster at first, but she seems to have managed pretty well - I suspect that she found the parents tougher going than the children though!

DS1's Yr 1 teacher was newly qualified (she turned 21 in the November of her first term! ) and his Y5 one will be too. I reassured myself that the Headteacher's DD is in his class so clearly she wasn't worried about their skills

One of the best teachers any of my DCs had was a fresh-from-college youngster. She was just relentlessly enthusiastic and upbeat - full of great ideas and the kids all wept on their last day with her.

my ds(6) first teacher was a nqt. she left after one year , wasn't happy then aren't now.

reception teachers should be experienced imo.

I love my kids having new teachers they have some lovely refreshing ideas. My youngest two both have new teachers(NQTs) next year (years 3&5) Both just finished training.

DS2 had an NQT in Reception.
She was lovely, but there were lots of problems.

The problems, however, stemmed from a new Head (formerly deputy head) wanting to make her mark on the school, but also not really wanting to hand over her former role (YR and Y1 teacher) to the NQT.

NQT didn't want to make waves, understandably, so let Head walk all over her.

It was a disaster, and we moved schools at the end of YR.

However, if the school has a good Head, with strong leadership, and the NQT is keen to learn - that's a recipe for success.

The best teacher at our school came as a NQT. She has been there for a few years and is still only in her mid-20s. Agree about making one feel old. I keep forgetting she is so young (compared to me)

Have great experience of a couple of NQTs, although not in reception. Yr3/4, and Yr1/2.

Both DD and DS had NQT as their Reception teachers - they were fabulous. All the things you would want in teacher when you're 4! I wrote to the head and told her so at the end of Reception year.

Keen and not stuck in their ways like some of the older (shoutier (is that a word?)) teachers!

It is quite common for yr 2 to have an NQT. It should be good for the DCs-they will be really keen.

My DCs have had a number of NQTs and they've all been great experiences -- I think the new teachers are really keen to do well and not at all jaded or tired.

Interested to read this thread, my little sister (at 24, so not that little really!) starts as a NQT this Sept with Yr 5.

I think the parents and children will really like her, she is very sporty too and I think she will bring a lot of positive things to a school. I felt very sorry for her though when she trained and her first placemement she had a bit of a panic as the teacher had no control over the class so she wondered how the hell anyone expected her to be able to deal with them.. but guess what she got their attention etc and the Head paid her a visit one day and thanked her for everything she had done with that class (she was very modest about it to me when she told me, but I was soo pleased for her

Makes me feel old too, though at least I can ask her for advice some day and vice versa, me having the parent point of view if needed

DS when he was at mainstream had a NQT in year 3, she was fab and very approachable, she was honest and said she didn't know much about autism i liked her honesty and have to say she was the best teacher DS had.
some of the other teachers had been there many years and knew everything they were the teachers that were much harder to work with.

dd had a NQT for year one and she has been FABULOUS, dd will miss her heaps, and so will I!!

you're really lucky, honestly

ds1 has an NQT next year. Now that WILL be a baptism of fire. She must be brave.

thanks for teh replies

i have taught my reception class for 6 years and started there as an NQT

sure i didnt do everything perfectly in that first year, and I still don't

an NQT will be up to date with the very latest in education and probably specialised in Early Years if she has applied for and got this position, I know thats why i got hired.

Early years is such an exciting to be and is not for the faint hearted, I'm sure she is up for the challenge. But, if you have any worries after she starts, go and chat to her

Being an NQT is the first year out of university. That year is a probationary year which you need to complete successfully in order to retain QTS.

Nowadays, NQTs have a half day each week of non-contact in order to keep up with the planning & prep. They are usually keen as mustard to do well and any good school will have set up a clear mentoring programme. I have always liked it when the school I've been teaching in has employed an NQT as I pick their brain like mad. Always like having students for that reason too. Also nice to pass on tips I've picked up along the way.

I can't be doing with these teachers who want to stay in the same classroom with the same year group for ever. Shutting everyone else out and sneaking in and out of their cupboard like it contains trade secrets!
The sharing of good practise is essential in teaching.

practice not practise.

practice

Sorry, Literacy co-ordinator here - don't they get on your nerves?!

Both DS1 and DS2 have had NQT in reception and both were fantastic. I would not worry at all.

NQTs usually work like dogs. And are often excellent.