Source
r/TeachingUK•
ComradeH

Tips for an NQT supply teacher on their first day?

Hi all!

Pretty self explanatory really... after dealing with some family stuff over the last few months and relocating (back to the area I originally trained in), I've just signed up to an agency and I have my first job tomorrow - three weeks teaching my specialist subject to KS3 and KS4.

Any tips for grappling with new kids and classes quickly? Any ideas on what I should be expected to undertake (planning, assessing, reporting, etc)?

Posted Dec 3, 2018, 6:22 PM UTC · edited

421
GreatZapperSecondary HoD•

If you're there a few weeks, establish routines quickly. Either the classes haven't had a teacher for a while, or their usual one is gone. Either way, they will play up for you to see what they can get away with. Don't let them.

For tomorrow, expect work to have been provided but your agency should tell you if you are expected to do anything extra. If so, you should be paid accordingly (your daily rate will be higher).

Go in ready to learn and collaborate, but be prepared for some successes and some downright failures. You're an NQT coming in three weeks before Christmas on a supply contract; it doesn't get much more difficult than that so go in with your eyes open, ready to kick ass.

11
Nuclearfrog•

Bring them in the room properly, get them lined up outside.

Find out the behaviour policy and implement it.

No one is going to be particularly surprised that the kids are acting up for supply, keep positive! A good impression will likely lead to another appearence there next time cover is needed.

I definitely echo the don't take it personal comments, if they have had disrupted teaching for a stretch they'll be used to just trying to get away with anything.

They don't know you're an NQT! You probably won't have much planning and marking to do, although you might, try to enjoy being back in the classroom.

6
ComradeHOPSecondary (Religious Education)•

Thank you! I think your comment about enjoying back in the classroom really hit home, weirdly. I've been so nervous about tomorrow... what if I've forgotten how to teach etc etc etc?!?

I know the school culture isn't to line up outside, but I also have a pretty good idea from friends who have taught there where things go wrong - many supply don't utilise the seating plan etc so I plan to stick to it rigorously. Get used to names, question question question. Use warnings, use praise. I feel like a kid on their first day... so nervous!

1
Nuclearfrog•

You'll be consistently alone as well in the room, which was a joy after having the regular teacher in the room so often during the PGCE. So even when you do something stupid it'll only be the kids seeing it lol.

1
zapataforever•

If you do have a seating plan then putting the exercise books out before they come into the room really helps to settle the behaviour. Expect lots of “this is the old seating plan!” and “our other teacher changed it!” but just stick to whatever you’ve got written down and say “this is the one I’ve got so we’re going to use it today, so that I can learn your names - we can always change it later”.

1
Nuclearfrog•

How did the day go?

1
ComradeHOPSecondary (Religious Education)•

Really well!

I was so nervous walking in blind, but it went really well. Year 11 were terrors, but that seems to be the same across all classes and I've been told their normal teacher really struggled with them too. Tiny classroom, 33 of them, mixed ability with a number on report. No culture of standing outside the room. I need to have a think about how to handle them next week.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

1
Nuclearfrog•

Good to hear!

33 in a class is ridiculous in my opinion. 30 should be the limit, and that's too many really.

1
slamalamafistvag•

How'd your first day go?

2
ComradeHOPSecondary (Religious Education)•

It went well! All kinds of exhausted right now!

1
slamalamafistvag•

Glad it went well! did you need to open a can of whoop-ass or were they okay with you from the off?

1
ComradeHOPSecondary (Religious Education)•

Only one class was a bit of a nightmare... but they're year 11, mostly boys, 33 of them in the tiniest room ever with a lot if them on report. No lining up outside in the corridor. So... that was a tough hour.

I need to have a think for next week, but all the others were good! Not perfect, but very manageable.

1
hawkin5•

You’re going straight in at the deep end! Be positive no matter what gets thrown at you - set firm boundaries - and don’t take anything personally if it goes horribly wrong.

1
RavensUK•

Find out from your head of department what the score is with detentions, if the kids see the other staff have your back from the get go it will help.

1
zapataforever•

Expect carnage - they’re going to be pretty unsettled. In my first lesson with a supply class I tend not to be too demanding of them behaviour-wise, I deliver the work like I would a cover lesson (brief instructions at the start then they just get on with it), stay quite calm and smiley, and just circulate a bit to get the measure of them. The next lesson they come in to a new seating plan (based on what I saw in the previous lesson) and I make my expectations clearer by upping the amount of teacher talk and insisting that when I talk they listen quietly and respectfully. I balance this with letting them talk while doing written work. Third lesson in they start doing bits of silent working. Usually, by the time we’ve had a week of lessons, they’re settled into my routine & meeting my expectations.

It’s only for three weeks so don’t get too excited about “taking ownership” etc.

Regarding expectations of planning and marking: depends which pay-rate you’re on. Check with your agency. There are two rates: the higher rate for everything a normal teacher does (including assessment, planning, reporting, parents evenings) and a lower rate for just cover (no marking or planning, cover work supplied for each lesson).

1
StubbornAssassin•

Sounds like he'll be on supply rates based on what he's said. Around 115 a day for an NQT i believe. If its a medical reason he could easily be there till the summer. Things like stress/depression will go in 2-3 week blocks of being signed off.

1
zapataforever•

As I said, there are different rates for supply; a lower rate for cover only and a higher rate for doing marking and planning and so on. The information I gave was accurate.

1
StubbornAssassin•

I was adding to what you said, I never said anything was wrong?

1
zapataforever•

I found your message confusing, because in my comment I had already acknowledged that OP was on supply rate (obvs) and explained that there are different supply rates. You then replied to my comment reiterating that OP was on supply rate and implying that there was just one rate for supply (one based on prior teaching experience, in this case being NQT). You can downvote all you like, but there is other inaccurate information in your comment also (like stress/depression being signed off in 2-3 week blocks). Not necessary, is it?

0
StubbornAssassin•

You should get a school routines pack on day one for behaviour management. The kids will happily gaslight you about expectations so be prepared for that.

For the first couple days you should expect to be given work to teach so be prepared for anything. My first day on supply in your boat I was teaching visual topics like graphs all day. A real pain in the arse.

Be hard with your behaviour (but not a dick), you need the kids to know you're going to follow the rules but you still need to do all the other parts you practiced like building relationships, learning names. Make sure you take the time to follow things up to HoDs/HoY, the kids knowing you'll follow things up will go a long way. They will test you to find their new boundaries immediately

Line them up and don't go in till they're quiet. If they don't do it right try again, taking the extra time to make sure they know who's the boss is really worth it. Once you're in own the room, get into the room, open windows. Show them how comfortable you are.

My writing's a little all over the place but I did what you did in my NQT so I hope you find it useful.

1