Naomi Richardson

Naomi Richardson
Area of work: early years provision
School: East Oxford Primary School, Oxford
Local authority: Oxfordshire
Qualifications: BA English literature and sociology, Oxford Brookes University (1994); PGCE primary education, Westminster College, Oxford (1996)  

I knew I always wanted to work with children, and the creativity and variety of a career in teaching appealed to me. I liked the idea of an active job, being able to make and do things at work, and making my own plans. Before my PGCE I worked for a year as an assistant in a school for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, which prepared me well for the practical side of the job. 

Every child learns differently in an early years class

I worked for five years as a middle years teacher but switched to early years when I returned to work after maternity leave, completing an early years specialism qualification in modules. A typical day at school will involve a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, such as painting, sand and water play, singing and cooking, and both child- and adult-initiated activities. I have a teaching assistant to help me, which allows for one-on-one and group activities. We’ll read stories together, learn about numbers and sounds, play musical instruments, play ball and parachute games. There’s a lot of variety and usually a lot of mess! Creativity and an ability to innovate are key skills for teaching, because every child learns differently. It’s really exciting to see that you’ve helped a child think about or experience something new. 

A good teacher needs to plan, plan and plan again

I love my job and my school. We have a rich mix of cultures, faiths and language. But I don’t think anything can prepare you for the amount of paperwork involved – the bane of all teachers! Taking on additional responsibilities will increase the paperwork. I used to be a key-stage co-ordinator, which involved attending management meetings once a week, observing other teachers at work and ordering resources. As a teacher you’ve always got to be prepared to justify what you’ve done and what you’re planning to do, in the long, medium and short term.