Trainee Teacher – Secondary English

Emma Brennan – Secondary English trainee

Teaching is one of the most challenging, yet personally fulfilling and rewarding vocations that anybody can undertake. I believe passionately that quality teaching and committed teachers have the opportunity through education and encouragement to change a young person’s life, supporting them to develop culturally, emotionally and intellectually. My drive and determination for wanting to teach English stems from my enjoyment of reading, theatre and film, together my own personal experiences of secondary and further education.

Having successfully completed a three-year degree course and reviewing the pathways into teacher training, I felt that the Manchester Nexus SCITT route would allow me a greater opportunity to learn the practical teaching skills from experienced practitioners, whilst undertaking the theoretical studies aligned to Liverpool Hope University. I was also impressed by the professionalism and commitment shown by all Manchester Nexus SCITT staff at the teaching events and taster days.

I have now completed my first full week on the SCITT programme! It has been very exciting to finally start my training and meet my peers who are undertaking training for different subjects. I have also had the opportunity to meet daily with my supporting mentors and Mr Higgins the Head Teacher, who clearly set out the values and principles of The Blue Coat School. Equally as important, I have also had the opportunity to observe my mentors and a number of teachers in the classroom and this has allowed me to meet and interact with the pupils. I have been really pleased at how the pupils have responded to me as a trainee teacher, they are respectful and courteous and are keen to share their ideas and interpretations on the key texts we have been studying in English.