Meet Lauren Heseltine...
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Science
"Helen and the Northern Star ITT team have got to know us all really well. It really feels like the training is tailored to your individual requirements."
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Trainee Secondary Teacher
Science
"Helen and the Northern Star ITT team have got to know us all really well. It really feels like the training is tailored to your individual requirements."
Why did you decide to teach?
I finished my degree in 2020 in Equine Science. I had always wanted to go into teaching, but thought it was something I would do further down the line in my career. However, one of my modules at university was in coaching which I really enjoyed. It taught me how people build rapport and to understand what makes people tick. It taught me how people learn things. From that experience, I decided that I wanted to go into teaching straight away.
Originally, I had thought that I would teach in primary, but as I moved through my degree, I developed my subject knowledge and, together with my coaching experience, I decided I’d like to work with secondary.
I specialise in Biology but teach across the whole science range.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Star ITT?
I grew up in the area, so I knew Northern Star ITT I also knew a couple of people who had trained with Northern Star ITT previously and they told me that the team here was really supportive. The groups are small. I knew when I applied that I wanted to do a school-centred course. I think you get a lot more from being in school.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
I have been fortunate because my placement school has excellent online learning facilities. I have taught in all combinations – with students at home, or me at home, or a mixture. I’ve had to do it all. Also, everyone has been learning this year – experienced teachers too – so it’s been a really supportive environment. All the staff have really welcoming. My mentor has been really helpful. If I need anything, I just need to ask. I have really enjoyed the focused training sessions we have had together. It has been interesting to be able to network with other trainees and hear about their experiences – you get a wider view but still feel like part of small group. Helen and the Northern Star ITT team have got to know us all really well – even though a lot of interaction has been by Microsoft Teams this year. It really feels like the training is tailored to your individual requirements.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Be confident. The week before I started, I was very nervous. But once you start, that goes. Just do it. If something goes wrong, it’s OK. We’re here to learn and next time you’ll be better. Try everything. Get stuck in. Once you’ve started, you find it’s not actually that scary. Don’t worry; grasp the opportunities.
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"Teaching is the best thing I have done. I am so glad I switched from marketing."
Why did you decide to teach?
I did marketing at university and after a period travelling, I got a job doing the marketing in a school. When the pandemic hit, the school was suddenly short staffed in the nursery and I was drafted in to help. I really enjoyed it. When I went back to the office, I realised I wanted to work with the children rather than be in front of a computer. I had thought about training to teach earlier, and I decided then to start my teacher training.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Star ITT?
Northern Star ITT was local to me. I also have family friends who are teachers and they suggested places that offered teacher training that they had heard good things about – including Northern Star ITT. Everyone there is really friendly – and really motivating. That’s been especially important at a challenging time you like this, in a pandemic. You need someone there to be re-assuring and to tell you that you’re doing OK and you can do it. They are really good at that. They give us lots of extra support. We have had a lot of extra subject information to help build our knowledge. They help us structure lessons. As well as being nice people, they give you a lot of extra help.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
I have had a great first placement. I worked with a class with a significant number of SEN children. I learnt so much about their particular needs and the behaviour and teaching strategies you need. It was hard but has been great for my own learning. I had to spend a lot of time working with the SEN children to gain their trust. When I got them on my side, it felt really rewarding. One day a little boy told me: “Miss Holberry, you’re going to make a great teacher!” That was so nice - to hear it from the children. There are hard days too. But 90% of it has been good. My mentor was really good. She taught me a huge amount and was there constantly for anything I needed help with. She gave me lots of useful feedback.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Make sure that you want to teach. You have to be passionate about it, so that it shows through to the children. You have to be enthusiastic. Teaching is the best thing I have done. I am so glad I switched from marketing.
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Modern Foreign Languages (German)
"If you really enjoy your subject, there is no better way of developing and sharing that passion than teaching."
Why did you decide to teach?
Before deciding to teach, I was a child protection social worker. I did that for about five years, in Essex and then Lancashire, working with children with disabilities, before working in Skipton. I’d always wanted to work with young people – in that regard social work and teaching are not dissimilar. Teaching was always something I’d thought about. Teaching feels like a place where I can spend more time with the young people, actually giving something to them and helping them to be the best they can be. It feels like teaching gives me more time to do that. I did my degree in German and Russian at Oxford and I have missed my languages since I left university. I have wanted to get back to my languages and bring the excitement of language learning to others. Teaching gives me a chance to use my languages everyday.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Star ITT?
It can be complicated applying for teaching, so Get into Teaching supported me with my application. I applied to a School Direct, SCITT and university-led training option and then decided which suited me best. I chose Northern Star ITT because I’d heard good things about it. As soon as I was in contact with Northern Star ITT, everything felt well organised and they really knew what they were doing. They organised school experience for me; the interview was really well planned; they introduced me to trainees who were already on the course, so I could hear what it was like first hand. It all felt really well put together.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
It is a steep learning curve, which I expected, and I have felt really well guided towards being a good teacher. That has been down to the SCITT team and also my mentor. They really help you to improve in concrete and practical ways. I feel like I am on a journey and I am making progress.The pandemic has made the year unusual. It’s has been challenging even for experienced teachers. For us, it’s all we have known as new teachers so maybe that’s helped. The different ways of teaching online have demanded lots of different strategies and that has been really useful.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
It's all about your passion for your subject. If you really enjoy your subject, there is no better way of developing and sharing that passion than teaching. Get into schools and get experience – although that’s hard at the moment. If you’re unsure about working with young people, look for volunteering opportunities to see if you like it. You need to love working with young people to be a teacher.
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"“The main thing with Northern Star ITT was their approachability; I really felt that they wanted me.”"
Why did you decide to teach?
Before I started training, I did my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and a Masters in Education and first of all worked in a private day nursery as a head of pre-school. I enjoyed that role but as time carried on, I felt I wanted to get into the school system and so I moved to a primary school to become an early years practitioner.
I’d been thinking about teacher training for a while. I felt that I needed to get Qualified Teacher Status if I was going to use my qualifications as much as I wanted to. Eventually I decided it was “now or never” and that I had nothing to lose from applying. I managed to get through the interviews and was offered a place with Northern Star ITT.
Why did you choose to train with Northern Star ITT?
I applied for three different training providers. The main thing with Northern Star ITT was their approachability; I really felt that they wanted me. From the start, the Northern Star ITT team was really prompt with communications and were interested to get to know me. It felt tight knit. They were also really clear about what the course provides and what it could offer me.
What have you found most rewarding about teaching?
So far, I have been at Holycroft Primary School in Keighley. Northern Star ITT look at where you live and find a placement school that works for you. Everyone at Holycroft has been so supportive. The support from my class teacher has been outstanding.
The children were lovely. They were easy going, they understood that I was learning too, and even when things went wrong, they were on my side. Of course, there are challenges. Some days things don’t go to plan. It can be deflating, but the teachers really help pick you up and help you plan and improve.
What’s your advice to anyone starting to train to teach?
Go with Northern Star ITT! They don’t recruit massive numbers – the cohort is small enough for us all to be really close and help each other. The whole Northern Star ITT team is really responsive to individual needs and make sure that your welfare is OK. They give you emotional as well as academic support.
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Biology
"I have surprised myself how confident I can be. I have grown as a person"
I did my master’s in Conservation Biology and graduated in 2018.
I knew I wanted to be a teacher from an early age. I had some amazing teachers and I saw the difference that a good teacher could make to inspire others – and I thought I would like to do that.
My biology teacher, especially, was passionate about her subject and always approachable. With science, you need to be accessible to engage with students. I want to show that science can be interesting and fun!
I like the links to Bradford, so that there are urban placement schools. The staff here are really supportive and there is a high quality of teaching.
When I came for interview, I got a really good feeling about the place. No task was too big or too small for the team here to help you get through the application process.
I like that it’s a relatively small programme too. The approach is personalised. Everyone knows who you are.
It is an eye opener in the classroom. For me, learning on the job is a really great way to train. I feel I am developing new skills all the time.
It is quite challenging to stand up in front of a class for the first time; you can get quite nervous. But the teachers supporting you are great. They help you through and let you know it’s OK to make mistakes. They give you the space to learn.
It is challenging. At the end of each class, every child in the room must have learnt something. That takes a lot of planning and hard work.
Overall, I have surprised myself how confident I can be. I have grown as a person. And I am constantly impressed by how many amazing teachers there are in our schools. We need amazing teachers.
Absorb every piece of information that you can. Take every opportunity. Say “yes” and get involved in school life – like clubs and after school activities. There is more to being a teacher than your five lessons a day.
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
" I never wake up thinking ‘oh no, it’s work’. I look forward to getting to school – the children are what it’s all about."
Before I joined the training programme, I had worked in school for almost nine years, first as SEN support and then as a higher level teaching assistant. I had covered for teachers, and always knew that I wanted to become a teacher myself when the time was right. I set myself a challenge to start the training – and now I have!
Before I worked in school, I worked in finance roles in the travel industry, but I always knew that teaching was where I wanted to be.
The best part of the training so far is that I am getting experience in different schools. It is surprising just how different they can be. All my experience previously, as a teaching assistant, had been in a large urban primary; now I am getting a very different experience in a small village school. I am working with a mixed age group of children. It presents different challenges and enables you to gather different ideas. It’s a big learning curve.
The school where I was a teaching assistant is also part of the multi-academy trust linked to Northern Star ITT. My headteacher was very supportive and helped me a lot.
I went to a talk with someone from the Northern Star ITT team and I liked the sound of the programme. I was also fortunate to win a place on the salaried programme.
At my placement school, the children make me laugh so much. They’re the
best part. Every day flies by. I never wake up thinking “oh no, it’s work”. I look forward to getting to school – the children are what it’s all about.
Do it! Be prepared for the hard work. It’s not just the teaching and planning – there is other work to do to complete the programme. But if you’re well organised, you’ll get through it. Stay on top of the work load. I have lots of lists!
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"I wanted a school based programme, so the Northern Star ITT programme made sense."
After starting out in sales for a mobile phone company I got a chance to go to Vietnam as an unqualified teacher for a few months. I loved it so much I ended up staying five years!
That was when I realised that teaching was the right career for me. So when I returned to the UK, I made the decision to train and carry on with my career here. It was the only job that I wanted to do.
I love working with the children. Every day is different. The job satisfaction of seeing the children move forward is great.
I have always worked with younger children, and enjoy the age group, so it made sense to pursue a training course in primary teaching. There is never a dull moment teaching younger children – that’s what I love about it.
I wanted a school based programme, so the Northern Star ITT programme made sense. I am also local, so the location was right for me.
I loved the school experience that I did and knew that this is where I wanted
to be.
There has been a surprising amount of similarity between my experience in Vietnam and the challenge of training here. I hadn’t expected that.
I have particularly enjoyed working with a guided reading group in my placement school. The children are so creative. Once you get them engaged with the book, they can go much further than you initially think. It’s amazing when you see them light up and connect with the work. I really enjoy those lessons. When things go even better than you might have hoped, it’s a really good feeling.
Be prepared and get ahead of yourself when you can. Don’t let tasks pile up, so that the workload doesn’t overwhelm you.
When you’re teaching, enjoy yourself. That’s why you’re here!
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"The Northern Star ITT trainees feel like a family, and there is always someone to turn to. "
Whilst I was at secondary school, I did some work experience in a nursery. I immediately thought: “this is where I should be”.
I went to college and gathered qualifications in early years work. I knew from the placements I completed that I had made the right decision. I started my career in nurseries, enjoyed it, and decided I wanted more.
I knew then that teaching was the way forward for me. I carried on working in early years and went back to college part time. I gained a BA Hons degree and re-took my maths GCSE – and here I am! It took a long time – but the end goal was worth it.
Over the years, I have come across the most amazing inspirational teachers. They’re creative and challenging. I knew I wanted to be part of that education team.
I wanted a school-based programme, so Northern Star ITT fitted that requirement.
I also knew quite a few people who had experience of working with Northern Star ITT, and I had heard good things. I knew people who had worked with Northern Star ITT and seen them progress to successful roles now. So it was a no-brainer really.
Some of the conversations you can have with three and four year olds are amazing. The way they think and see the world is so fresh. It constantly challenges your thinking.
My best day so far was when I was teaching maths to a class. We were working on a tricky concept and when they started to work independently I could see that they had really understood what I had been teaching. It was a real breakthrough moment. It felt amazing.
When you see the learning happening, it’s special.
Talk to people. Be open. Develop your networks. The Northern Star ITT trainees feel like a family, and there is always someone to turn to. Be organised……but expect the unexpected. Children always surprise you!
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Biology
"When I came for the interview and met the people here, I was impressed by their warmth and I liked the feel of Northern Star ITT"
Whilst at college I got a part time job at a stock brokers. I loved working there and when I finished my course, they invited me to apply for a full time role. As my job grew and the business developed, I got involved in project work across the organisation – including training and development work. That was the start of my experience of teaching, I suppose.
I then decided to retrain to teach English as a foreign language (EFL) and spent six years living in Spain and France before I returned to the UK in 2017. I knew I enjoyed teaching and decided that I wanted to study for a PGCE.
I felt that I could make much more of a difference by teaching in a secondary school. My degree is in biology and I have never lost my interest in the subject. Teaching has been a great way to refresh my knowledge – and to rediscover my passion for it.
There is a good range of different placement schools, including some very
good schools so that you can see what great practice looks like.
When I came for the interview and met the people here, I was impressed by their warmth and I liked the feel of Northern Star ITT.
So far I have taught classes from year 7 to year 10. It is challenging – but I do feel I am making progress and the effort is worth it.
When you manage to get an entire class on task, and they have understood what you are trying to teach, it is a great feeling. You’re sharing something with the students and everyone is getting something from it – including me.
There haven’t been any big surprises – but the training does take a lot out of you. You need to be ready for that. There is so much to think about in terms of planning and co-ordination at first. And you need to remember to save time for yourself and a home life too.
Trainee Secondary Teacher
Chemistry
"I loved my subject, so I looked for something that would enable me to share it with others. Teaching was the answer."
I studied for my first degree and master’s in chemistry. I knew that I didn’t want to work in a scientific laboratory setting. I wanted a career that involved working with people much more closely. At the same time, I loved my subject, so I looked for something that would enable me to share it with others. Teaching was the answer.
During my undergraduate course, I worked in a secondary school as part of a “chemistry in schools” module. I observed lessons and worked with a sixth form group on their chemistry projects. It stretched me, but I thought then that a career in teaching could be right for me.
I did my research and Northern Star ITT looked like the best programme for my requirements. There is a lot of information online and it appeared very well structured and organised. I also like that it is school based; that was important to me.
I knew it would be tough to start when you suddenly have a class for the first time, but it has been great fun too. It has been really interesting observing lessons, seeing how teachers use different techniques to engage students, and how they adapt their approaches for get the best from pupils.
When the children really respond to a lesson you have planned then it gives you a real buzz. You feel you are building good relationships with the class so that everyone can learn – me too.
It is challenging getting your head around everything you need to do. There is a lot to juggle. But I now plan out my whole week ahead and keep notes for everything so that I can stay on top of it all.
Just do it. You can get so much from teaching. It is not like any other job. Every day is different. It sounds such a cliché – but it’s true. It can be tiring – but so is any job.
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"I am enjoying experiencing a variety of schools in the placements. You see how different schools use different approaches and it has given me lots of ideas. "
I graduated in sociology at the University of Leeds.
I knew I wanted to teach, so I took a role as a learning support assistant in a secondary school. I stayed in that role for three years before moving to become a teaching assistant in a primary school to experience something different. I wasn’t sure which type of school – or age range – would suit me best as a teacher.
I found that I loved working with older primary children – so that’s when I decided to apply for teacher training. I’d found the place I fitted best. I liked that, as a primary teacher, I would be teaching across the curriculum, not just in one subject area.
I did apply for other courses, with another provider, but I had seen how Northern Star ITT worked in schools and I thought that their approach suited me better.
I am enjoying experiencing a variety of schools in the placements. You see how different schools use different approaches and it has given me lots of ideas. I have enjoyed seeing how schools approach extra curricula learning in different ways, for example, to give children new experiences – everything from accordion lessons to keeping chickens!
My first formal lesson observation was quite stressful – but I went home feeling fulfilled that day. I had probably over planned, but it went fine.
At the end of the lesson, we talked about what went well and what I felt I wanted to improve. We were all reflective together, on how I could improve. It helped me feel confident and I came out the meeting thinking: “I can do this”. The support I am getting is good – they’ve given me so much time. I feel really welcome in my placement school.
Prioritise. Organise your time well. Be flexible about your planning so that you can respond to changes as they happen.
Find time for yourself too. Always do that!
Trainee Primary Teacher
Primary
"I chose primary because I felt I could make a bigger difference with the children, helping to form them for the next level of their education."
I had been teaching English as a foreign language, in Italy, during the summer whilst I was at university and continued after I graduated. I worked in an Italian school with children across the age range. I enjoyed it and when I came back to the UK from my last trip, I decided I wanted to pursue teaching as a full-time career.
I love working with children. They constantly want to learn. They are always asking questions. Their energy is amazing. They always want more.
I chose primary because I felt I could make a bigger difference with the children, helping to form them for the next level of their education.
I applied very late in the year and the Northern Star ITT team were really helpful in getting everything sorted out in time. I had a lot of contact with the team – emails, telephone calls and so on – with a lot of background support to help me get through the application process. By the time I started the course in September, I felt like I knew all the people already. They were very supportive.
It can appear overwhelming at first, but your placement school will help you break it down so that you can see how it all works. Once you understand the structure and the progression, it all makes sense. You can see where you are taking the learning.
My best day so far was taking our children to Fountains Abbey for a trip. The children gained so much from being outside and having new experiences. We dressed as monks to help us imagine how they might have lived. The children talked about it for weeks afterwards.
Be organised. Be consistent. Give yourself a break when you need it. Don’t try to
do everything at once – you need to pace yourself.
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