Best Practice

NQT Special: Survive and thrive as a new teacher

The first few years as a teacher are often the most challenging, especially as you head from your NQT year into year two. Julian Stanley offers some advice to help you safeguard your health, wellbeing and love for the job

With so many disturbing statistics – like one in four teachers quitting the profession within their first five years of teaching – and with politicians constantly referring to the high number of failing and coasting schools, you might be forgiven for questioning your decision to become a teacher.

Yet, according to a Gallup survey in 2013, teaching is still voted the number two best career, beaten only by physicians. As jobs go though, teaching is not easy and, for some, the first few years can be tricky as you find your feet, particularly going from the relatively supportive environment of your first year into the second year. So here is our guide to surviving and thriving as an NQT.

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