Newsletter
NQT Newsletter
The NQT newsletter is published bi-annually.
CPD Spring 2007………Apply Now !
The full LA CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme has recently been distributed to every school. Enclosed is a programme of all the NQT courses on offer for the spring term. All courses will be held at Hertfordshire Development Centre unless stated otherwise. Please discuss your needs with your induction tutor.
Ask your Headteacher to sign your application and return it as soon as possible to Centre Bookings at Hertfordshire Development Centre or book online and receive a £5 discount. (Fax: 01582 830256)
Top Ten Tips for Induction Year
Listed below are “top tips” passed on by NQTs who both survived and completed their induction in July 06.
1. Ask for advice
2. Be organised
3. Be realistic about workload. You can’t do
everything. Prioritise. Say “no” sometimes.
4. Don’t panic
5. Persevere – it gets easier
6. Keep a work-life balance
7. Be prepared for a difficult year
8. Ensure that the school is fulfilling its
responsibility by giving you statutory induction
time as well as PPA time
9. Attend all INSET courses
10. Observe as many lessons as possible
News about your First Assessment
For most of you who started in September, you are now ending your first term. Undoubtedly this will have been one of the most exhausting periods of your life so far but, I am sure, also very rewarding. You might be interested to know that in Hertfordshire over 750 NQTs were registered to start their induction in September 2006. This is the largest number ever recruited. The vast majority are doing very well and making a real success of their teaching. A small number are experiencing some difficulties and in these cases both the school and the LA advisory service are supporting the teachers concerned. It is in everybody’s interest for all NQTs to succeed.
Your induction tutor will observe your teaching shortly before the end of term and arrange a formal meeting with you. This meeting should form the basis of your end of term assessment. Your tutor will use some or all of the following evidence to help form their judgements:
* samples of your lesson planning
* analysis of your marking and assessment
of pupils work
* information about your liaison with parents
* evidence from any self-evaluation
At the end of the term your tutor must complete the Assessment Period 1 form and submit this online to the LA no later than 12th January 2006. You can add your own comments if you wish. For details of your username and password speak to the induction co-ordinator. You should retain a copy of the completed form for your professional portfolio.
NQT Funding
Some NQTs have contacted me to ask how the LA NQT funding may be used to support you. Clearly a large proportion of the money will be used to cover the additional 10% release time to which you are entitled and which is to be used for professional development. In addition, schools can use it in a variety of ways including:
- giving induction tutors opportunities to have discussions and development time with you
- giving induction tutors time to make classroom observations
- giving time for you to observe other teachers within your school and in other schools
- paying for attendance at courses and conferences designed to support you in meeting the induction standards
It is clearly helpful if you can discuss with your tutor the way in which the money is being used to support your induction. Funding for the year will be devolved to schools in April 2007at £1100 for each term (pro rata for part time NQTs).
Some NQTs have phoned to ask whether, if they go on a course they should lose their 10% release time for that week. There is no simple answer to this but in the best practice schools NQTs get to go on the course and have their Professional Development time.
Voice Care
- Drink plenty of water – sip it regularly throughout the day
- Stand up straight, keeping a 90 degree angle between
your spine and line of vision
- Rest your voice when possible
- Monitor your volume
- Avoid shouting
- Vary your tone
- Slow down your speech
- Introduce some non-verbal cues & facial expressions in
order to save your voice
- Take breaks during the day – lunch and tea break
- Contact Herts Development or Voice Care Network re
voice training
If you continue to be concerned about your voice, visit your GP and seek further advice.
Web site for Art GCSE Coursework Advice
First Step on the Property Ladder
Now that you are settled and enjoying your first teaching job in Hertfordshire, maybe you will consider staying longer and putting down some roots.
Hertfordshire is an expensive place to buy a home but the government in recognising this provides financial help through Key Worker Living Schemes. There are a number of different types of schemes currently on offer, but the one that may be particularly attractive to you is New Build HomeBuy.
New Build HomeBuy involves buying a share of the total cost of the property, typically between 25% and 60% of the outright purchase price and taking out a mortgage loan to cover the repayment. In addition you would have to pay rent on the share which you were not buying. However, the combined monthly cost of rent and mortgage is likely to be significantly less than taking out a mortgage on the full market price of a similar property. There is also sometimes a third cost in the form of an annual service charge. The advantage of such schemes for teachers is that as overall salary increases schemes usually allows for the purchase of additional shares.
There are currently over 20 shared ownership schemes in Hertfordshire. These are managed by the zone agents, Aldwyck Housing Association, through their special Key Workers division Lea Valley Homes. Please see enclosed leaflet for further information and if you are interested call 01582 869440.
As with any financial involvement on this scale it is sound advice to seek independent advice before proceeding.
Teacherline - Confidential Counselling, Support and Advice
Experiencing difficulties? Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis – call Freephone Teacherline for free, confidential counselling, support and advice on any problem, however large or small.
Tel: 08000 562 561
Engage Newsletter - Autumn 2006
We would like to bring your attention to a newsletter set up the by GTC.
What is Engage?
Engage is the GTC’s professional network for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs), for teachers in the early years of their career and for those who support them. This group will include Mentors and Induction Co-ordinators from schools and Local Authorities.
Engage will support you in developing the best approaches to teaching and learning and achieving the highest standards of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
As a member of this network you will have a chance to access professional support through:
* a termly electronic newsletter
* project groups and events
* opportunities to link up with other network members
and share practice
* entitlement
Please visit:
The NQT Team
Lead Adviser for NQT Induction:
Stephen Lavender
Tel: 01438 844002
E-mail: stephen.lavender@hertscc.gov.uk
Primary Support Adviser for NQT Induction:
Clare Mellish
Tel: 01438 844007
E-mail: clare.mellish@hertscc.gov.uk
Administrative Support:
Anne Pearson (NQT Administration)
Rachael Mayne (NQT Inset Administration)
Tel: 01438 844755
Or: 01438 844902
E-mail: anne.pearson@hertscc.gov.uk
E-mail: rachael.mayne@hertscc.gov.uk
The NQT team is based at:
Hertfordshire Development Centre
Butterfield Road
Wheathampstead
Hertfordshire
AL4 8PY
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