Hang in there! Surviving and thriving as a new teacher

I have received lots of messages from NQTs recently who, having crawled to October half-term feeling exhausted, have returned to school contemplating quitting the classroom.

Many told me they are disillusioned with teaching and are finding it harder than they had expected.

Cold days and long nights do not help, of course, and it is usual to struggle at first. Even seasoned teachers find this half-term the most difficult of the year.

But this year is different, of course: many NQTs have expressed particular concern about their preparedness for teaching because their initial teach training (ITT) was cut short by the first coronavirus lockdown. What is more, continued disruption caused by Covid-19 this term has left them feeling unsupported by their mentor and other colleagues who, understandably, are themselves struggling to cope due to staff shortages and the added pressures of providing remote learning. If you feel shaky because of this or due to your training being cut short, I have one thing to say...