Starting my PGCE journey this term has been an incredible whirlwind of learning, challenges, and personal growth. I knew becoming a teacher would be demanding, but nothing quite prepares you for the mix of excitement, nerves, and joy that comes with stepping into a classroom for the first time.
Finding my feet
The first few weeks were filled with induction days where I got to meet the other students on the course, both in my department (Modern Foreign Languages) and beyond. Once we were allocated our school for the first placement, it was all about observations and adjusting to the pace of school life.
I spent time in my placement school watching experienced teachers navigate lessons, behaviour management, and the unpredictable nature of school days. It was fascinating to see theory from university come to life and sometimes completely unravel in a real classroom setting!
As the half term progressed, I began taking on small teaching responsibilities, gradually building confidence. Durham’s PGCE course builds you up from observations to teaching a couple of hours per week. After half term, that load increases to 8 hours per week, which is still totally manageable at this stage. This half term, planning lessons, scaffolding tasks for students, and finding my own teaching voice became central to my experience. Some lessons went smoothly, while others taught me a lot. Every day was a learning opportunity. That is what makes the course so intense but rewarding.
Alongside placement, we also have one day a week at university where a specific teaching and learning team and subject-specific team guide us in the theory of teaching and also provide more day-to-day support and hacks for the classroom.
My first PGCE essay
One of the highlights of my term was completing my first PGCE essay. Durham asks us to complete three essays over the school year. The process of writing the first essay pushed me to reflect deeply on my teaching practice and link it to educational theory. Writing it helped me clarify my philosophy as a teacher and made me more aware of the impact of my actions in the classroom. It was not easy juggling essay deadlines with lesson planning and teaching, but it was incredibly rewarding to see my ideas take shape on paper.
My first overnight school trip
Another unforgettable experience was joining my first overnight school trip. Initially, I was anxious about managing a group of students outside the classroom environment. I had plenty of experienced staff feeling sorry for the ‘trainee teacher’ going on a trip, but I surprisingly really enjoyed it. Seeing students interact in a new setting, develop teamwork skills, and experience learning beyond the classroom was amazing. I learnt a lot about pastoral care, risk assessment, and keeping students engaged while having fun. By the end of the trip, I felt a huge sense of achievement and belonging to the school community. The teacher training year is all about trying new things and putting yourself in the shoes of a fully qualified teacher, and this felt like a great step towards that.
Lessons learned
This term has taught me more than I could have imagined. I’ve learned the importance of flexibility, patience, and reflection. But, most importantly, I’ve realised that teaching is about relationships, building trust with students, learning from colleagues, and reflecting honestly on my own practice.
While the PGCE journey is demanding, the first half term has reminded me why I wanted to become a teacher: to inspire and make a difference in young people’s lives. However, I would also be lying if I said I was not happy to be enjoying the half-term holidays this week.
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