Induction and EPD Funding Enables New Teachers In Wales a Head Start to Their Careers

8 November 2007

Ysgol Friars in Bangor is a large secondary school with over 1300 pupils and 90 full time staff. The School is supporting 3 newly qualified teachers through their statutory Induction year and a further 6 teachers in years 2 and 3 with their Early Professional Development (EPD).

Emyr Hughes, Induction and EPD coordinator and fellow teachers from the school share their experiences.

The co-ordinator

Emyr Hughes is an Assistant Headteacher at Ysgol Friars and is responsible for all newly qualified teachers who join the school. As Professional Tutor, Emyr meets each teacher at the start of the school year and formulates an action plan which is reviewed every term. Emyr commented: “The great thing about Induction and EPD Funding is that it has a whole school effect. EPD and Induction teachers who attend training sessions are asked to share their findings with other teachers within the school.”

The Induction teacher

Anna Hickson Baker is a Drama teacher currently going through her induction year at Ysgol Friars. Anna has worked at the school as an unqualified teacher since 2001, and has gone through the Graduate Teacher Programme in her quest to become a fully qualified teacher. Having already taught at the school for six years without an allocated training budget she is fully appreciative of the opportunities the induction funding has brought about. She explains: “Having the induction funding available has enabled me to attend a course with the head of Drama, which has been beneficial for both of us. We have been able to discuss together what we have learnt through the training. Having two people on a course would not have been possible without the extra funding.

“As a teacher it is so important to be able to keep up with the latest teaching methods and styles, as these change all the time. The Induction funding enables new teachers to keep at the forefront of change through the training it can provide and also gives them a chance within the school timetable to take some time out to observe more experienced colleagues teaching.”

The EPD teachers

Heidi Jenkins, an English teacher in her second year of teaching used her £1,000 EPD funding entitlement for a range of professional development activities. These included a workshop focusing on Assessment for Learning, a WJEC INSET day to further develop her understanding of GCSE English and English Literature and a course on Assertive Discipline. She comments: “I am now far more confident in my teaching as a result of the training and support I have received. I hear that this funding is only available in Wales and think it gives new teachers an excellent head-start as they embark on their new careers.”

PE teacher Catriona Barker, in her second year of teaching at Ysgol Friars, has been able to broaden knowledge and skills with the EPD funding. As outdoor adventure activities are now compulsory in all schools in Wales, Catriona attended a course in a local outdoor centre which enabled her to develop her ability to lead pupils in outdoor activities. In addition, being keen to identify new and different teaching styles which she could use to good effect, she also used the funding to attend a course enabling her exploring classroom management strategies.

She comments: “With guidance and support from my school mentor, I have used the funding available to my advantage. Knowing there is support available has made me determined to challenge myself and my teaching in areas which need to be developed.”

Rachel Hanney, in her third year of teaching agrees that the funding has had a major impact on her teaching practice: “I have been lucky enough to attend numerous courses which have equipped me with the skills that have allowed me to flourish in the classroom. As I now teach English Language, English Literature and Law, I have used the funding to develop my knowledge and teaching skills across each of the subjects I teach.”