Renfrewshire Council

Hollie, Mille and Beth The first thing we asked was how they were feeling about starting their probationary year, and there was plenty of excitement and nerves to go round.

"Excited, nervous, and quite a lot of anticipation for starting after being off for the summer. I'm looking forward to meeting classes and putting faces to names," said Holly, teaching art and design at Park Mains High.

"I know it will be fine once I'm in and settled. I'm really looking forward to it but also a bit nervous," added Millie, teaching P.E. at Paisley Grammar.

Many of the NQTs we spoke to said they were most excited to get a full year of developing relationships with pupils, teachers and the school community.

"Having your own classes for the year is the best part. When you're on placement, you go in part way through and then you leave before the end of the year. So, to be there, full time, getting to know pupils better with a bit more freedom to put your own spin on lessons and how you teach and engage pupils is exciting," explained Ben, teaching history at Johnstone High.

"Yes, I'm really excited to have this opportunity to develop over a full year," agreed Honor, teaching geography at Renfrew High. "In a placement, you feel like you are just getting somewhere with pupils when it all ends, and you have to leave. Throughout this year, I'll get to keep building those relationships."

Ben, Ethan, Lewis, Andrew and Ewan Ethan, teaching history at Park Mains High added, "I'd say this year is like doing it properly. With a placement you get snippets and it's very concentrated and you're supervised whereas now you're actually doing it for a full year. It will give me stability to really establish those relationships and develop them throughout the year."

"I'm looking forward to being based in one classroom rather than the six different ones we had during placements. You're trying to cram so much in you don't really get to know the pupils as well as you do when you're with them the whole year. Now, we'll have a bit more time to breathe and get into the work," added Lewis, teaching art and design at Gryffe High.

"I want to get into the rhythm of things," said Beth, teaching primary 5 at St Catherine's Primary. "I've learned so much theory, now I want to put it into practice. Being a part of a school community will be really exciting. It's all new and fresh and interesting."

 Our newly qualified teachers come from a variety of career backgrounds, and not all took the direct route from school to university then placement.

"Becoming a teacher after being in an industry and working for big Scottish companies for many years means I can bring real-life examples into the classroom, from creation to implementation. I'm excited and have done a lot of research to understand what young people are into, including music. I'm not a Taylor Swift fan but I'm going to learn to be one," said Annette, teaching business at Park Mains High.

Annette and Sophie "I'm excited for the year ahead. I've chosen to do this because I care about kids and it's a job with a real positive impact on their lives. I'm happy I've made the change to teaching," said Ewan, teaching maths at Paisley Grammar.

Looking ahead to their own futures beyond this make-or-break year, most NQTs we spoke to would ideally like to work in Renfrewshire or find a permanent job in the wider regional area.

"I definitely want to work in Renfrewshire if possible. I'll get through this year and hopefully get some work. As long as I am in education and in music, that will be good. I'm flexible," explained Sophie, teaching music at Gleniffer High.

"I'll be looking for a secure permanent contract at the end of my year, but I've no specific plans on where I want that to be," said Andrew, teaching history at Gleniffer High.

We wish all of our NQTs a wonderful probation year and hope everyone gets a lot out of the experience.

Published Wednesday 28 August