Newly qualified teachers talents being squandered
New teachers arefeeling demoralised and stressed due to the lack of support during their induction year,a Conference organised by the NASUWT, the largest teachers union in the UK, has heard.
Newly qualified teachers from across the country gathered in Solihull today (Saturday) for the NASUWT’s Newly Qualified Teacher Seminar to discuss the challenges facing them as new teachers and to engage in professional development workshops.
Concerns raised included:
- An expectation to teach outside their subject specialism in subjects for which they have not been trained;
- Excessive workload, particularly driven by assessment and marking policies;
- The setting of unachievable targets and objectives;
- Denial of contractual entitlements designed to support new teachers to enable them to make a successful start to their teaching careers;
- Frequent timetable changes, preventing continuity with groups of pupils;
- Unacceptable email policies exposing teachers to abuse from parents and expectations that teachers will respond immediately to dozens of queries and comments, adding to already excessive workload.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, who addressed the conference, said:
“New teachers bring enthusiasm and energy to the profession and it is deeply concerning to hear how it is being crushed in too many cases by a lack of support.
“These teachers are the future of the profession and regrettably it appears their talent and energy is being squandered.
“It was good to hear the positive experiences of some newly qualified teachers who now feel enthused and empowered to continue in the profession. All new teachers should have such a positive and fulfilling experience, but unfortunately, as the reports from new teachers today show, that is not the case.
“New teachers are a precious resource and should be valued at all times, but even more so at a time of crisis in teacher recruitment and retention."
