Adam Melling

I am a positive, committed and passionate individual who strives to achieve. My enthusiasm and highly motivated approach allows me the opportunity to give my best every day. I am currently studying my PGCE at John Moores University and Northwest Learning Partnership. I am completing my PGCE year at Northwood Community Primary school in Kirkby. Becoming a primary school teacher has always been something I have wanted to do from an early age, however the timing was never right until now that is and I am thoroughly enjoying my new profession and relishing in the joy and challenges that it brings. I have worked in numerous high pressure and pressurised environments which have allowed me the chance to grow as an individual. I am nearing the end of my PGCE year and my desire and enthusiasm for teaching continues to grow. Teaching gives me the opportunity to have a positive effect on a child’s life and through my immersive and fun ways of engaging with children; skills I have learnt through my training I am able to see the benefits in the classroom. One of my key aspirations is that pupil’s look forward to coming into the classroom and are willing and confident to learn.

As an English Graduate; my passion is reading and I look to instil this with all pupils I encounter. Reading is a powerful tool and something that I care about deeply. I constantly encourage pupils to read on a nightly basis and start the day by discussing what they have read last night – this is a great motivation tool and also a great way for the children to foster the love of reading that I possess. In years to come I hope to be a subject specialist within English or Guided Reading and look to instil a mantra of reading is power throughout any school that I am a member of.

I take a metacognitive approach to pedagogy. I ensure that lessons are clearly structured which enables all my pupils to take part. It is through metacognition that the children are able to evolve their thinking from, “I can’t” to asking “How can I?”. This positive approach to thinking allows me the opportunity to use a pupil’s natural curiosity to our advantage. We must draw upon their intrigue in order to engage them within the classroom and allow for further metacognitive scaffolding to take place. An area I consider vital is assessment - continuous assessment in many forms is key to monitoring progress. Assessment can take many forms such as an end of module quiz however on the spot assessment is a powerful tool. It enables the teacher to check on pupil progress in a non-disruptive way and allows teachers the opportunity to adapt lessons instantaneously. I am forward thinking and also have the ability to think and modify under pressure.

One final point – I love football and would look to set up a school football club as soon as possible!