Meeting My Form
Yesterday I met the pupils who will comprise the form we will call 7XYZ. It was Year 6 day at my school and my first experience as a form tutor. As a trainee, I assisted form tutors, but never really had responsibility for the form.
With 7XYZ, my first experience was their first experience. I've never had a form and they've never had a form tutor. At least they won't know if I don't get things just right.
When I met with the parents, and explained that I was new to the school (I didn't tell them I was an NQT), some of the faces didn't beam with excitement. I wonder how much faith they have in me. Hopefully I will gain their confidence throughout the year.
Being a form tutor is a substantial responsibility. I'm the first and primary means of pastoral care and support. I have to watch that they are doing their homework and getting along with others and not being bullied and making good effort in all their classes.
I also have to teach their Citizenship lesson each week. I'm not so worried about that, because I am trained in teaching Citizenship and have a lot of personal experience in that area as well. It will actually be a good opportunity to put my training into practice. I'm more worried for those teachers who have minimal INSET training and are thrown into Citizenship. They wouldn't do that if it were Maths or Science, but they assume anyone can deliver the Citizenship curriculum.
Yesterday was a good opportunity to get to know them. I can already see some of the ones who may be troublemakers and others who are going to behave. It is going to be an interesting year.
With 7XYZ, my first experience was their first experience. I've never had a form and they've never had a form tutor. At least they won't know if I don't get things just right.
When I met with the parents, and explained that I was new to the school (I didn't tell them I was an NQT), some of the faces didn't beam with excitement. I wonder how much faith they have in me. Hopefully I will gain their confidence throughout the year.
Being a form tutor is a substantial responsibility. I'm the first and primary means of pastoral care and support. I have to watch that they are doing their homework and getting along with others and not being bullied and making good effort in all their classes.
I also have to teach their Citizenship lesson each week. I'm not so worried about that, because I am trained in teaching Citizenship and have a lot of personal experience in that area as well. It will actually be a good opportunity to put my training into practice. I'm more worried for those teachers who have minimal INSET training and are thrown into Citizenship. They wouldn't do that if it were Maths or Science, but they assume anyone can deliver the Citizenship curriculum.
Yesterday was a good opportunity to get to know them. I can already see some of the ones who may be troublemakers and others who are going to behave. It is going to be an interesting year.
