Thursday 10 November 2016

New role, new school. new GCSE....

It has been a long time since my last blog post. This September, I moved schools and became Head of Geography. It has been a whirlwind but one that I have loved. My colleagues have been warm, supportive and always greet me with a smile in the corridor.

On the days that have been difficult, as the students test the boundaries with me as a new member of staff, I have been grateful for my every growing support network of teacher friends. As much as my husband understands my job, the support of my teacher friends has been invaluable, particularly in a new role as a middle leader where you can find yourself stuck between SLT and your department.

There have been challenges. I have joined a department who did not have a head last year so understandably some things were left by the wayside. We spent the summer holidays clearing out resources from 20-30 years ago. We are starting a new GCSE specification with only two teachers planning the lessons and at the same time updating each KS3 scheme of work. Oh, and most of my department have other responsibilities so are not always around for meetings.

But I have relished the opportunity to tackle these challenges and love my job. My department have been so open to change and have been up for the challenge too. It helps too that the students have been receptive to the new schemes of work.

We are working on new KS3 sows that include lessons on the migration crisis in Syria, climate change and international development. Lessons that have become all the more poignant and important this week. The students are full of questions and opinions that should be explored in geography lessons. This week alone I have been bombarded with questions about the election and the impact on the UK and our future.

So I will try not to leave it too long before I share some more ideas but bear with me as I settle into my new role!