Annabelle Marsh

During my bachelor’s degree, in Medieval and Early Modern History, I gained many valuable skills. It required high levels of self-motivation and self-discipline. I also developed other skills such as proof reading, essay writing and honed my analytical skills.

Before starting my PGCE, I volunteered in a local primary school where I spent the majority of my time in two EYFS classrooms, and gained experience in Key stage 1 and 2. I fully immersed myself in the life of the school; I worked with small groups and individuals, helped on school trips and helped with lunch and breaktime duty.

During my PGCE, I have mostly taught in KS2, being based in a year 4 class, I will be doing a KS1 placement in the summer term. However my volunteer experience and discussions with the KS1 teachers at my school have helped me to build an understanding of the progression through the year groups.

I have learnt that one of the most important parts of teaching is being able to anticipate and adapt to the needs of your class. As part of my planning, I have also always strived to create lessons that were easily adaptable to the changing needs of my class. I taught a lesson on direct speech, some students found this particularly difficult. I turned the plan into two lessons and spent the majority of the second lesson with a small group of learners, who were struggling, going over examples with them. I make sure that I mark students work quickly and effectively so that I can adapt my planning to make sure that all pupils were making progress. I have used summative assessment to inform my unit planning so I know where to begin each unit.

Furthermore, I have always strived to have high expectations of my pupils. I incorporate modelling so the students can see what is expected of their work.  I also make sure to remind the students of the expectations for their behaviour. I spend a lot of time making sure that I create high quality differentiated tasks to ensure each child within my class makes progress.

One of my biggest strengths is my people skills. I am able to create positive relationships with both students and teachers very easily. This is due to my ability to communicate with all ages and abilities. This has helped me to build strong professional relationships with the other members of staff throughout the school.  I have been able to develop a very good relationship with the class which has helped to create a positive working environment.

In addition, I understand the positive effect extra-curricular activities can have.  Since primary school I have been a passionate brass player, being involved in brass bands since the age of seven. I hold a grade 8 qualification in music performance. I have also been passionate about drama from a young age being involved in school musicals throughout secondary school. I would love the opportunity to engage pupils in music and drama.

During my bachelor’s degree, in Medieval and Early Modern History, I gained many valuable skills. It required high levels of self-motivation and self-discipline. I also developed other skills such as proof reading, essay writing and honed my analytical skills.

Before starting my PGCE, I volunteered in a local primary school where I spent the majority of my time in two EYFS classrooms, and gained experience in Key stage 1 and 2. I fully immersed myself in the life of the school; I worked with small groups and individuals, helped on school trips and helped with lunch and breaktime duty.

During my PGCE, I have mostly taught in KS2, being based in a year 4 class, I will be doing a KS1 placement in the summer term. However my volunteer experience and discussions with the KS1 teachers at my school have helped me to build an understanding of the progression through the year groups.

I have learnt that one of the most important parts of teaching is being able to anticipate and adapt to the needs of your class. As part of my planning, I have also always strived to create lessons that were easily adaptable to the changing needs of my class. I taught a lesson on direct speech, some students found this particularly difficult. I turned the plan into two lessons and spent the majority of the second lesson with a small group of learners, who were struggling, going over examples with them. I make sure that I mark students work quickly and effectively so that I can adapt my planning to make sure that all pupils were making progress. I have used summative assessment to inform my unit planning so I know where to begin each unit.

Furthermore, I have always strived to have high expectations of my pupils. I incorporate modelling so the students can see what is expected of their work.  I also make sure to remind the students of the expectations for their behaviour. I spend a lot of time making sure that I create high quality differentiated tasks to ensure each child within my class makes progress.

One of my biggest strengths is my people skills. I am able to create positive relationships with both students and teachers very easily. This is due to my ability to communicate with all ages and abilities. This has helped me to build strong professional relationships with the other members of staff throughout the school.  I have been able to develop a very good relationship with the class which has helped to create a positive working environment.

In addition, I understand the positive effect extra-curricular activities can have.  Since primary school I have been a passionate brass player, being involved in brass bands since the age of seven. I hold a grade 8 qualification in music performance. I have also been passionate about drama from a young age being involved in school musicals throughout secondary school. I would love the opportunity to engage pupils in music and drama.