Nicola Roberts

Name: Nicola Roberts
Area of work: Primary education
School: Leedon Lower School, Leighton Buzzard
Local authority: Bedfordshire
Qualifications: BA social sciences, Nottingham Trent University (2004); graduate teacher programme, Bedfordshire (2007)

While I was at university I grabbed any chance I could to gain experience in different primary schools. I spent one day a week helping out as a volunteer, depending on the demands of my course.

Choose the training route that's right for you

In my final year I looked into different routes into teaching and was offered a place on a PGCE course, but decided I wanted to complete the GTP route as I would spend more time in school. I then worked in a finance department for two years, developing many useful transferable skills such as interpersonal skills. I was also still gaining experience in many different schools, both primary and secondary, building up my understanding of the different key stages. I started my GTP in Bedfordshire in 2006.

A working week as an NQT in a primary school

I applied for the job at Leedon in my final term. It was a year 3 position, and the children are a delight to teach at this age. As an NQT, I have an afternoon out of the classroom every week for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA) with my other year 3 colleague, and an afternoon for NQT time. Some of the NQT time is allocated to a meeting with my mentor to discuss the previous week; it is also used for catching up and training.

I aim to be in school for 8.00 am and leave by 6.00 pm. I try to complete my marking and any preparation for the following day within this time, rather than taking work home with me – though inevitably this doesn’t always happen. I am also responsible for updating the individual education plans (IEPs) written for children with special educational needs in Key Stage 2, following termly meetings with their teachers. I have taken on the school council, which some children from every year group are involved in; this takes up one lunchtime a week.

Primary school children are eager to learn

What the children say can completely change a lesson. I love seeing their little faces engaged and eager to learn. At Leedon we teach through a thematic approach, taking on a different theme each term, and this is a fun and exciting way to keep the children enthusiastic and motivated.