ATL's summer seminars for NQTs

NQTs get a lot more than just magic wands at summer seminars

ATL’s NQT summer seminars kicked off at Newcastle United’s St. James’s Park this year. 

Addressing key issues of concern for those about to begin their induction year, the seminars hit the spot with NQTs from right across the country.

The free seminars in Newcastle, London, Leeds and Stoke-on-Trent featured presentations and workshops on managing challenging behaviour; and how to make the induction year work for you. In addition, delegates had the opportunity to meet ATL regional officials, branch secretaries and members of ATL’s Policy and Research team who spoke on Subject to Change: ATL’s new thinking on the curriculum.

Report showed up at the London seminar to meet the delegates. Siobhan Hanno from Kent said she had come along because: ‘I want to be prepared and to know everything I needed to know.’ Desiree Brown-Quilty from Lambeth agreed: ‘I want to make the best of my induction year, getting it right from the beginning is really important.’ 

With a relaxed and informal atmosphere delegates also got to ask the experts about things that mattered to them personally. Desiree added, ‘I feel very comfortable asking questions, it’s not impersonal at all.’

Nessa Siddiqui from West Wimbledon told Report hat she was quite nervous about her induction year as it meant she had to prove herself all over again only this time she felt she was a lot more on her own even if there was a good support network. Nessa said she found the day ‘really helpful and interesting.’

Speaking to other NQTs not from the same college also seemed to be really useful. Ozma Hajiz from Berkshire said: It’s been invaluable to meet people who are in the same boat. Swapping stories, bouncing ideas off each other has been really good.’ 

Learning how to deal with challenging behaviour proved very popular. April Jones from North London said: ‘the legal stuff has been very good. It’s important to know your legal boundaries when in contact with your pupils.’ Judy Brunton from Cambridgeshire agreed and welcomed the ‘totally different approach to behaviour issues’.

Along with the free lunch, travel and accommodation, attendees also got a special goodie bag. ‘The pointer pens are highly useful!’ Rachel Howlett from North London told Report and demonstrated her magic wand looking device used for pointing at whiteboards.

Vicky Wheddon from Oxfordshire summed up the day: ‘I joined ATL because it was less political and gave me all the support I needed in developing professionally, so today has really hit the button!’ Kathleen Weber from Kent concurred: ‘I wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into. It’s been really good; it’s clarified a lot. I feel I was really lucky to get on.’

Mark Holding, ATL’s head of organising and recruitment said: ‘We’re thrilled to have had so many new members so excited about entering the profession. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive that the seminars have provided such practical preparation to those starting out this September.’

ATL Organiser, Duncan Woodhead at the Newcastle seminar added: ‘Even those colleagues from Sunderland got in on the act, since the seminar likely marked their only visit to a Premiership ground for the coming season!’