Giles Anderson
Teacher, All Saints C of E Primary School
My ambition was never to ‘just’ be a teacher, I wanted (and still want) to be the best I possibly can be. Now five years into teaching, I look back at all the amazing opportunities and CPD events I have had to enable me to get to where I am. Working within the Trust, I have been able to visit other schools, share ideas with more experienced teachers and receive the support that is so vital when starting out in this profession.
As I write this today, I am also the Lead of PE across the Trust Primary Schools. A title that, six years ago, when my journey with the Trust started, I would never have believed I could have had. However, the quietly confident ambition I had for myself, mixed with the support offered by my school and the Trust, has enabled me to achieve what I did not think was possible. Sport was a huge part of my childhood, with memories of school competitions filling me with joy (and I did not win many!) I am now in a position where I can make these memories for the next wave of students.
My journey within the Trust started in December 2018, when I joined as a University Student Teacher. I was in my third year, with my final placement based at All Saints Kirkby Overblow. It was during this placement that I saw the greatest improvement in my ability as a teacher. Working with my mentor, I was able to grow in confidence and my ability to teach grew too. The opportunity to observe the already established teachers in the Trust gave me the ambition to reach higher levels as a professional. Reflecting on my own practice and the practice I observed was extremely beneficial.
Knowing the support within the Trust for new teachers was strong, I wanted to remain part of the set up. Therefore, I took some time being a teaching assistant at Kirkby Overblow until the correct opportunity in the Trust came. Even when patiently waiting, my headteacher and class teacher knew about my ambition to start my NQT year. They supported me and allowed me opportunities to practice my teaching further during my time as a teaching assistant. I was ambitious to learn more about the career, therefore, opportunities to attend staff meetings were always appreciated and great for my development.
Eventually, my patience proved to be successful. A teaching job presented itself (at the same school I had been at) and I was able to apply all my development within the Trust into my application and interview. I got the teaching job I wanted! My ambition was never to ‘just’ be a teacher, I wanted (and still want) to be the best I possibly can be. Now five years into teaching, I look back at all the amazing opportunities and CPD events I have had to enable me to get to where I am. Working within the Trust, I have been able to visit other schools, share ideas with more experienced teachers and receive the support that is so vital when starting out in this profession.
As I write this today, I am also the Lead of PE across the Trust Primary Schools. A title that, six years ago, when my journey with the Trust started, I would never have believed I could have had. However, the quietly confident ambition I had for myself, mixed with the support offered by my school and the Trust, has enabled me to achieve what I did not think was possible. Sport was a huge part of my childhood, with memories of school competitions filling me with joy (and I did not win many!) I am now in a position where I can make these memories for the next wave of students.
Now looking forward, I wish to keep on pushing myself in my profession and seeing where it takes me. I am of strong belief, that the support I have around me currently will help me continue to be ambitious and flourish as a teacher.