With the help of some wonderful Scottish scenery including the Kelpies (which you must visit if you ever get the chance) I’ve been able to reflect a little on my journey through the Chartered Teacher Programme. It’s been an intense and stimulating 14 months during which I’ve been forced out of my comfort zone and had my love for teaching re-affirmed time and time again.

The programme began with a launch day in September 2017, the first of many trips to London for Chartered College events. From the outset the team were so friendly and so supportive. The culture throughout the programme has been to engage with us as professionals. To listen to and respect our views while challenging us to reflect deeply on and develop our practice. At the launch day we met our mentors, a vital part of the programme they have been available for questions and queries as we worked through the various phases and my mentor, Karen made a big effort to attend all the events in person. I have enjoyed chatting with her about the course and in particular she helped me shape my personal development plan with suggested readings and thoughts on interesting aspects of pedagogy that I could explore. I particularly appreciated her understanding of the need for working teachers to have access to concise and clear material. Her input at the start of the programme saved me an enormous amount of time later.

Throughout the programme we have kept reflective journals. These have been particularly useful as they require you to revisit your initial personal development plan and reflect on progress made. This effectively ‘anchored’ our thinking around the initial objectives we had set ourselves.

The assessments have been broad and varied. They have included a personal impact evaluation, an online debate, an assessment day, a video observation journal, an assessment on assessment and finally a literature review and research project. Each one presented it’s own challenge and they have all influence my practice. Video observation using IRIS is now an integral part of the work within my department and I am frequently recording short clips to evaluate my one teaching. Attending an assessment day including writing examinations and recorded role plays was so informative. My students were highly amused that I had made my own revision flashcards! I was surprised to feel really nervous when I sat in front of the written exam paper, a good experience for any teacher to have from time to time. As a teacher of the AS extended project qualification I enjoyed carrying out a literature review over summer 2018. I completed most of it in the evenings while visiting Cornwall with my parents. As part of the assessment we had an interview with an expert in the field which I really enjoyed. In fact, that’s been a key part of the course for me: access to experts via Webinars, through primers, at the face to face days and online.

So, as I wait to find out if I’ve been successful in the final assignment I promised to spend more time with friends and family after many hours of study and writing in the loft! Of, course straight away a new opportunity came along and I’ve spent some of the Easter break preparing to speak at ResearchEd for the first time on the 27th April. I’m planning to blog about that experience as well.

If you want to find out more about the Chartered Teacher programme from a participants point of view then get in touch.