In June, UCAS revealed a 12% increase in teacher training applications nationally. As applications for teaching training begin to close, we take a look at three newly qualified teachers in the city who have been an inspiration to their communities. 

While lockdown has given people time to consider alternative career options, the Department for Education's 'get into teaching' campaign has been successful in inspiring people across the UK to pick up a board pen ready to teach the next generation of students. Georgia, Adam and Jason share their experiences during this time and what they have done to support the city's children. 

Supporting vulnerable and keyworker children

In March, many teachers suddenly changed the way they taught over night as home schooling became the new normal. We spoke with Georgia Hamilton, a primary school teacher at Wimborne Junior School about teaching and its role in the community. She described how she supported keyworker and vulnerable children during the pandemic by introducing activities like wake and shake, gardening and playground art to improve wellbeing. 

As a graduate of Portsmouth Teaching School Alliance, Georgia told us why she chose the course but more importantly what teaching means to her. Through engaging activities, vulnerable and keyworker children continue to be supported by Georgia - with exciting topics including space camp and superheroes. She's also taught cooking classes which have focused on healthy eating as well PE lessons to keep everyone active.

Getting students September ready

As time moved on, attentions shifted from the short term to the long term, with many teachers getting their students ready for a September start. Adam Marshall, a teacher at Milton Park Primary School explained what he's been doing.

Since home schooling became the norm, Adam has been setting a range of exercises using Seesaw - an online learning platform. This has benefitted students in core subject areas including maths, English and science. He's also organised other activities that include holding online debates and asking students to keep a weekly diary to monitor their wellbeing.

Adam graduated from Portsmouth Primary SCITT in 2019 and has had to adapt to this situation quickly in his NQT year. He believes the steps he and his colleagues have taken will prepare students for when they return in September.

Overcoming challenges

There is no doubt that teachers have had to think on their feet and adapt to using new technology. Jason Sharpe, an ICT teacher at Admiral Lord Nelson School described how student engagement at home has increased because of technology.

Jason explained his approach to teaching ICT for those being home schooled. While there has been challenges, the use of Google Classroom has helped improve engagement. In his lessons, he has mainly focused on ethics in technology and keeping safe online.

For the last 10 years, Jason has had aspirations to become a teacher working at Admiral Lord Nelson School as a learning support assistant. He was encouraged to become a teacher and soon enrolled with Essential Teaching UK. He is now in his NQT year and will be fully qualified in September 2020.

Inspired to get into teaching?

Discover more from Georgia, Adam and Jason in three case studies as you learn how they have supported Portsmouth's children during the pandemic, what impact they have made and why they love teaching in the waterfront city.