Interviews

Yesterday was the start of 'Interview season'. In a rare occurrence (even with a 430 pupil Primary) we have more than one vacancy as some staff are moving (New Zealand, Stoke-on-Trent, Bournemouth, Spain) mostly to live with partners. Their expressed sadness at leaving is quite genuine and we shall miss them. So its Job Specs, expensive adverts in the TES (Times Educational Supplement) and less expensive adverts online (e-teach).
Interviews include Governors as a key part of the process. Each short-listed candidate has to demonstrate the practical craft of teaching as well as an in-depth interview searching theoretical understanding, practical approach, and most importantly attitude and emotional literacy.
The last is vital in that we can teach people the skills and craft of teaching, but what is far more difficult is to change attitudes to the positive, to have team players, and to develop children’s attitudes in the same way: to encourage a love and thirst for learning, and being independent learners.
We have started to grow our own teachers now with a route of personal endeavour and fulfilment. Carmen’s journey included City and Guild's in English and Maths Level 2, NVQ2, NVQ3, Foundation Degree, B.Ed (Hons), and now Graduate Teacher Programme. Shortly, she will be a fully qualified teacher with several years experience as a teaching assistant, and higher-level teaching assistant. The girls football team she helps out with have just won the schools’ league. Her work with young children is electric, and the children in her class will make very good progress.
This illustrates what Goddard Park is all about: everybody learns, everybody cares.