What do I need to buy for first teaching job?

[creamandpeaches]

Hello!

This is going to sound silly I know.

I am starting my teacher training in a couple of weeks (less than actually!)

What are some handy things to buy and bring in with me?

I get the usual stationary etc but anything else?

I am doing a SKITT programme so in the classroom from day one, if that helps!

Thank you.

What subject are you teaching?
if you havnt got one a Planner - loads on amazon v useful - not much else needed some A4 pads?
have they given you a reading list? Worth starting with it if you havnt!

A travel coffee mug. The Contigo ones are good.

A coat with a hood.

You might find you want other stuff as time goes on but don't think you need to have everything for day one. I'm ridiculously picky about whiteboard pens, for example, so I get a stash of the ones I like!

A non leaking box for your lunch ( if you take salads etc)
A planner ( loop are cheap and good)
Don’t buy too much, the school should supply whiteboard pens etc

It's primary! Haven't been given a class yet. I have no idea what to expect actually at all!

Induction next Thursday x

Insulated mug
Water bottle
Good coat
Sensible shoes/boots
Maybe some stickers
Lemsip
Throat lozenges
Paracetamol

Good luck

@BG2015 that's a good list.

I would also add tissues and a sturdy tote bag/shopping bag that can hold A4 things.

An academic year diary might be useful. The Works normally doing pretty good ones that are very cheap.

Even if you're training via a SCITT you'll probably have at least a week of observing the class before you teach it (I did Schools Direct, secondary, but assume this'll be similar).

Oh!

Tissues.

I'd wait and see what you need. I'm primary and have never used a planner, in fact in 10 years of teaching I've seen one teacher with one! Maybe a watch.

Don't waste money on a planner - you'll likely be given a format to use.
A cleaner and some good quality ready meals for the freezer.

Many of us use a Planner at my school now they don't provide us with diary. I find it very useful and write everything in it so it stops me writing stuff on bits of random paper.

Comfy shoes and a warm waterproof coat with a hood
A working, easy to read at a quick glance watch
Welly boots (if the school does forest school)
Hand sanitizer!
Mighty mug travel mug - you can't accidently knock them over!

Pretty much all the teachers I met in secondary training used a planner and I found it invaluable- they are not expensive

I do use a planner, but some of my colleagues use an academic diary. Either or. I think use whatever works for you.

Comfy waterproof shoes (Decathlon are a good place if the school allows trainers). I am secondary but I rather like the Popsy dresses that have pockets and you can theme to your favourite subject area! DD's Science teacher has one with Bunsen burners on. Great conversation starter at parents' evening.

I like the coffee bags you can get (or all in one cappuccino type things). Never enough time to make coffee. When choosing a keep cup, try putting water in it and turning it upside down before committing. A water bottle with your name on. In fact name labels and named pencils.

The National Trust jute shoppers are excellent for transporting books and files.

For primary I'd want a couple of packs of Water Wipes for all the sticky fingers and worse.

Also, you will probably feel like you won't surface till the day before the Xmas holidays so maybe get in a gift or two for key family members now. I'm not kidding. Time goes fast and if you're anything like me you'll want to hide under a duvet for the first few days of the holidays.

Yeah I got the impression they were common in secondary. The OP is primary though.

You don’t even know what your course is called!!

Or how to spell a common homophone. Maybe a dictionary.

What lovely friendly posts (the last two) that'll encourage more discussion on this board 🙄

People 🤷‍♀️

I think a planner or paper diary is useful but your school may give you one!

Personally, I would buy some basic stationery, just in case, and a notebook, as you'll likely be observing and may want to make notes.

You don't need to buy a lot, and your school may have policies about pen colours for marking etc, so no point wasting your time on this early on?

BG2015 that is spot on! I would maybe add a set of decent board markers but that is just because the ones we get are only one colour and I like a range!

Not very kind posts, but definitely worth knowing the difference between stationery and stationary!

I agree a paper planner is good to have. I do my long-term planning digitally, but still like to use a planner for keeping track of where I'm up to and make notes on a lesson-by-lesson basis with my classes.

I second the comfortable shoes too!

@BG2015 a very good list!

I would add some baby wipes and lip balm 🤣

Oh and a stash of chocolate/treats!

A whistle...

A decent water bottle - everyone at my school uses chillys to keep cool.

Stickers to give the kids.

See what the school marking policy is but you might want to treat yourself a personalised stamp from Etsy!