Meet Jim Bullivant...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Biology
"When I came for the interview and met the people here, I was impressed by their warmth and I liked the feel of Northern Lights"
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Meet Jim Bullivant...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Subject: Biology
Placement schools: Skipton Girls High School
Why did you decide to teach?
Whilst at college I got a part time job at a stock brokers. I loved working there and when I finished my course, they invited me to apply for a full time role. As my job grew and the business developed, I got involved in project work across the organisation – including training and development work. That was the start of my experience of teaching, I suppose.
I then decided to retrain to teach English as a foreign language (EFL) and spent six years living in Spain and France before I returned to the UK in 2017. I knew I enjoyed teaching and decided that I wanted to study for a PGCE.
I felt that I could make much more of a difference by teaching in a secondary school. My degree is in biology and I have never lost my interest in the subject. Teaching has been a great way to refresh my knowledge – and to rediscover my passion for it.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
There is a good range of different placement schools, including some very
good schools so that you can see what great practice looks like.
When I came for the interview and met the people here, I was impressed by their warmth and I liked the feel of Northern Lights.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
So far I have taught classes from year 7 to year 10. It is challenging – but I do feel I am making progress and the effort is worth it.
When you manage to get an entire class on task, and they have understood what you are trying to teach, it is a great feeling. You’re sharing something with the students and everyone is getting something from it – including me.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
There haven’t been any big surprises – but the training does take a lot out of you. You need to be ready for that. There is so much to think about in terms of planning and co-ordination at first. And you need to remember to save time for yourself and a home life too.
Meet Frances Wrathall...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Biology
"I have surprised myself how confident I can be. I have grown as a person"
Meet Frances Wrathall...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Subject: Biology
Placement schools: Feversham College
Why did you decide to teach?
I did my master’s in Conservation Biology and graduated in 2018.
I knew I wanted to be a teacher from an early age. I had some amazing teachers and I saw the difference that a good teacher could make to inspire others – and I thought I would like to do that.
My biology teacher, especially, was passionate about her subject and always approachable. With science, you need to be accessible to engage with students. I want to show that science can be interesting and fun!
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
I like the links to Bradford, so that there are urban placement schools. The staff here are really supportive and there is a high quality of teaching.
When I came for interview, I got a really good feeling about the place. No task was too big or too small for the team here to help you get through the application process.
I like that it’s a relatively small programme too. The approach is personalised. Everyone knows who you are.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
It is an eye opener in the classroom. For me, learning on the job is a really great way to train. I feel I am developing new skills all the time.
It is quite challenging to stand up in front of a class for the first time; you can get quite nervous. But the teachers supporting you are great. They help you through and let you know it’s OK to make mistakes. They give you the space to learn.
It is challenging. At the end of each class, every child in the room must have learnt something. That takes a lot of planning and hard work.
Overall, I have surprised myself how confident I can be. I have grown as a person. And I am constantly impressed by how many amazing teachers there are in our schools. We need amazing teachers.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Absorb every piece of information that you can. Take every opportunity. Say “yes” and get involved in school life – like clubs and after school activities. There is more to being a teacher than your five lessons a day.
Meet Nicola Stowe...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
" I never wake up thinking ‘oh no, it’s work’. I look forward to getting to school – the children are what it’s all about."
Meet Nicola Stowe...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Subject: Primary
Placement schools: Kildwick CofE Primary School
Why did you decide to teach?
Before I joined the training programme, I had worked in school for almost nine years, first as SEN support and then as a higher level teaching assistant. I had covered for teachers, and always knew that I wanted to become a teacher myself when the time was right. I set myself a challenge to start the training – and now I have!
Before I worked in school, I worked in finance roles in the travel industry, but I always knew that teaching was where I wanted to be.
The best part of the training so far is that I am getting experience in different schools. It is surprising just how different they can be. All my experience previously, as a teaching assistant, had been in a large urban primary; now I am getting a very different experience in a small village school. I am working with a mixed age group of children. It presents different challenges and enables you to gather different ideas. It’s a big learning curve.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
The school where I was a teaching assistant is also part of the multi-academy trust linked to Northern Lights. My headteacher was very supportive and helped me a lot.
I went to a talk with someone from the Northern Lights team and I liked the sound of the programme. I was also fortunate to win a place on the salaried programme.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
At my placement school, the children make me laugh so much. They’re the
best part. Every day flies by. I never wake up thinking “oh no, it’s work”. I look forward to getting to school – the children are what it’s all about.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Do it! Be prepared for the hard work. It’s not just the teaching and planning – there is other work to do to complete the programme. But if you’re well organised, you’ll get through it. Stay on top of the work load. I have lots of lists!
Meet Nick Thackray...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"I wanted a school based programme, so the Northern Lights programme made sense."
Meet Nick Thackray...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Subject: Primary
Placement schools: Eastwood Community School
Why did you decide to teach?
After starting out in sales for a mobile phone company I got a chance to go to Vietnam as an unqualified teacher for a few months. I loved it so much I ended up staying five years!
That was when I realised that teaching was the right career for me. So when I returned to the UK, I made the decision to train and carry on with my career here. It was the only job that I wanted to do.
I love working with the children. Every day is different. The job satisfaction of seeing the children move forward is great.
I have always worked with younger children, and enjoy the age group, so it made sense to pursue a training course in primary teaching. There is never a dull moment teaching younger children – that’s what I love about it.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
I wanted a school based programme, so the Northern Lights programme made sense. I am also local, so the location was right for me.
I loved the school experience that I did and knew that this is where I wanted
to be.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
There has been a surprising amount of similarity between my experience in Vietnam and the challenge of training here. I hadn’t expected that.
I have particularly enjoyed working with a guided reading group in my placement school. The children are so creative. Once you get them engaged with the book, they can go much further than you initially think. It’s amazing when you see them light up and connect with the work. I really enjoy those lessons. When things go even better than you might have hoped, it’s a really good feeling.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Be prepared and get ahead of yourself when you can. Don’t let tasks pile up, so that the workload doesn’t overwhelm you.
When you’re teaching, enjoy yourself. That’s why you’re here!
Meet Steph Blackwell...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"The Northern Lights trainees feel like a family, and there is always someone to turn to. "
Meet Steph Blackwell...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Subject: Primary
Placement schools: Eastwood Community School
Why did you decide to teach?
Whilst I was at secondary school, I did some work experience in a nursery. I immediately thought: “this is where I should be”.
I went to college and gathered qualifications in early years work. I knew from the placements I completed that I had made the right decision. I started my career in nurseries, enjoyed it, and decided I wanted more.
I knew then that teaching was the way forward for me. I carried on working in early years and went back to college part time. I gained a BA Hons degree and re-took my maths GCSE – and here I am! It took a long time – but the end goal was worth it.
Over the years, I have come across the most amazing inspirational teachers. They’re creative and challenging. I knew I wanted to be part of that education team.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
I wanted a school-based programme, so Northern Lights fitted that requirement.
I also knew quite a few people who had experience of working with Northern Lights, and I had heard good things. I knew people who had worked with Northern Lights and seen them progress to successful roles now. So it was a no-brainer really.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
Some of the conversations you can have with three and four year olds are amazing. The way they think and see the world is so fresh. It constantly challenges your thinking.
My best day so far was when I was teaching maths to a class. We were working on a tricky concept and when they started to work independently I could see that they had really understood what I had been teaching. It was a real breakthrough moment. It felt amazing.
When you see the learning happening, it’s special.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Talk to people. Be open. Develop your networks. The Northern Lights trainees feel like a family, and there is always someone to turn to. Be organised……but expect the unexpected. Children always surprise you!
Meet Charlotte Furze...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Chemistry
"I loved my subject, so I looked for something that would enable me to share it with others. Teaching was the answer."
Meet Charlotte Furze...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Subject: Chemistry
Placement schools: Parkside School
Why did you decide to teach?
I studied for my first degree and master’s in chemistry. I knew that I didn’t want to work in a scientific laboratory setting. I wanted a career that involved working with people much more closely. At the same time, I loved my subject, so I looked for something that would enable me to share it with others. Teaching was the answer.
During my undergraduate course, I worked in a secondary school as part of a “chemistry in schools” module. I observed lessons and worked with a sixth form group on their chemistry projects. It stretched me, but I thought then that a career in teaching could be right for me.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
I did my research and Northern Lights looked like the best programme for my requirements. There is a lot of information online and it appeared very well structured and organised. I also like that it is school based; that was important to me.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
I knew it would be tough to start when you suddenly have a class for the first time, but it has been great fun too. It has been really interesting observing lessons, seeing how teachers use different techniques to engage students, and how they adapt their approaches for get the best from pupils.
When the children really respond to a lesson you have planned then it gives you a real buzz. You feel you are building good relationships with the class so that everyone can learn – me too.
It is challenging getting your head around everything you need to do. There is a lot to juggle. But I now plan out my whole week ahead and keep notes for everything so that I can stay on top of it all.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Just do it. You can get so much from teaching. It is not like any other job. Every day is different. It sounds such a cliché – but it’s true. It can be tiring – but so is any job.
Meet Emily Potter...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"I chose primary because I felt I could make a bigger difference with the children, helping to form them for the next level of their education."
Meet Emily Potter...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Subject: Primary
Placement schools: Markington CE Primary School
Why did you decide to teach?
I had been teaching English as a foreign language, in Italy, during the summer whilst I was at university and continued after I graduated. I worked in an Italian school with children across the age range. I enjoyed it and when I came back to the UK from my last trip, I decided I wanted to pursue teaching as a full-time career.
I love working with children. They constantly want to learn. They are always asking questions. Their energy is amazing. They always want more.
I chose primary because I felt I could make a bigger difference with the children, helping to form them for the next level of their education.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
I applied very late in the year and the Northern Lights team were really helpful in getting everything sorted out in time. I had a lot of contact with the team – emails, telephone calls and so on – with a lot of background support to help me get through the application process. By the time I started the course in September, I felt like I knew all the people already. They were very supportive.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
It can appear overwhelming at first, but your placement school will help you break it down so that you can see how it all works. Once you understand the structure and the progression, it all makes sense. You can see where you are taking the learning.
My best day so far was taking our children to Fountains Abbey for a trip. The children gained so much from being outside and having new experiences. We dressed as monks to help us imagine how they might have lived. The children talked about it for weeks afterwards.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Be organised. Be consistent. Give yourself a break when you need it. Don’t try to
do everything at once – you need to pace yourself.
Meet Maria Ahmed...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"I am enjoying experiencing a variety of schools in the placements. You see how different schools use different approaches and it has given me lots of ideas. "
Meet Maria Ahmed...
Trainee Primary Teacher
Subject: Primary
Placement schools: Greatwood Community Primary & Nursery School
Why did you decide to teach?
I graduated in sociology at the University of Leeds.
I knew I wanted to teach, so I took a role as a learning support assistant in a secondary school. I stayed in that role for three years before moving to become a teaching assistant in a primary school to experience something different. I wasn’t sure which type of school – or age range – would suit me best as a teacher.
I found that I loved working with older primary children – so that’s when I decided to apply for teacher training. I’d found the place I fitted best. I liked that, as a primary teacher, I would be teaching across the curriculum, not just in one subject area.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Lights?
I did apply for other courses, with another provider, but I had seen how Northern Lights worked in schools and I thought that their approach suited me better.
I am enjoying experiencing a variety of schools in the placements. You see how different schools use different approaches and it has given me lots of ideas. I have enjoyed seeing how schools approach extra curricula learning in different ways, for example, to give children new experiences – everything from accordion lessons to keeping chickens!
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
My first formal lesson observation was quite stressful – but I went home feeling fulfilled that day. I had probably over planned, but it went fine.
At the end of the lesson, we talked about what went well and what I felt I wanted to improve. We were all reflective together, on how I could improve. It helped me feel confident and I came out the meeting thinking: “I can do this”. The support I am getting is good – they’ve given me so much time. I feel really welcome in my placement school.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Prioritise. Organise your time well. Be flexible about your planning so that you can respond to changes as they happen.
Find time for yourself too. Always do that!
