Advice?

[Earlycareerteacherr]

What do you all suggest as an early career teacher that I need to think about when I start in September? During training you always ensure lessons are good but not so much thinking about progression or progression monitoring as the host teacher usually does this

I know it’s no majorly important for me to ensure there’s progress and monitoring it etc. I’m actually quite nervous. Any suggestions?

Also to clarify I wanted all my students to progress on my training year by progress monitoring I just meant more in terms of logging all marks or marking books without another person checking them etc.

I’m so used to that safety net of another teacher checking in on what I’m doing

Your school will expect you to do certain things and will tell you.

I run all new staff induction and that's something I cover - there are certain things I should see in your books and your mark books every time I look.

Use the criteria to mark the students' work, whatever they are. Gcse/a level will obviously have specific mark schemes. I always give my KS3 students success criteria even if they're not specified in the schemes of work.

Ask for help if you're not sure.

Definitely ask.

I don't expect anything in teachers mark books. I don't have one myself and it makes no difference to my teaching. We have digital records of homework completion and internal data trackers for half termly tests.

If you're maths, use mark schemes to mark the work and make notes on the mark schemes of misconceptions. You can then use this as ongoing feedback through starters etc. I also keep these mark schemes for each class through the year to inform mid term planning and will revisit topics if I can see students haven't learnt it the first time.

Yes, your school will tell you what you need to do formally.

I'm a bit old skool, but I can't remember things without notes and paper copies of stuff.

I do whole class feedback, which means when I mark my books I have a pile of 'not got it', which is then on a list - I plan something to plug that gap before the next lesson, or as part of the next lesson.

I then have a highlighted mark book I'm afraid. I don't know how teachers who don't have that, do it. I mean, I'm sure some people do it all on spreadsheets or digitally somehow, but that doesn't work for me.

I don't know what I'd put in a mark book .

I wrote out kids names one year and never used it again.

@Hercisback

I don't know what I'd put in a mark book .

I wrote out kids names one year and never used it again.

🤣 I love my mark book. I've honed my record keeping to perfection. It's only taken my whole 22 years!

Yep, I've tried lots of things too, but for me I just need to see things on paper and pretty colours. The same is said for all things I keep track of in my personal life too.

I keep an electronic lesson planning document. That's about it....!

I would advise labelling all electronic resources well. Include topic names in the file name then you can use the search function next year.

Your school will definitely tell you what you need to do. You will have an NQT mentor and he/she should be supporting you with data and other things.

With my NQT this year, we did the first couple of data entries together so that he knew exactly what was required. He does them himself now but he can always ask me if he is unsure.

In terms of a mark book, I keep a paper one as that's just what I prefer over all. I record test marks (though these are also entered onto the dept spreadsheet or SIMS), homework marks (and any missing hwk!) alongside target grades and key info such as SEN/PP. I find it easy that way to quickly find any info I need, track patterns and refer to at parents eve.

My NQT keeps his electronically which is also perfectly fine - it's what he prefers.

It's nerve wracking starting a new job for the very first time but you should be well supported by your school and once you get going it will be fab! Hard work, at times exhausting and there will be ups and downs along the way but I still say we have one of the best jobs!

Good luck!

Your school should have clear SOLAs and an assessment calendar so you should know what you should be teaching, when and why. Follow that and you’ll be making the progress that is expected. Don’t be afraid of asking lots of questions. It’s important to check things. No one will mind.

As others have said, your school will outline their expectations and you'll have a mentor who will be able to advise.
Your head of department will explain how they want subject assessments marking, and depending on how the department runs you may find that a lot of medium term planning and resourcing is already done. This means that you might be able to focus on differentiating for your class.

If in doubt, ask your mentor or your head of department if you're unsure.