As we begin the new year, we are introducing a new feature; The Journey of an NQT! We will sit down for a candid chat with NQTs across the ̨��swag Family to find out about their teaching journey so far. This time we sit down with Daniell Evans, PE teacher at ̨��swag Academy Acklam…

Daniell Evans

PE teacher at ̨��swag Academy Acklam

[̨��swag.com] Hello Daniell, thanks for chatting with us! So when did you decide you wanted to be a teacher?

“I would say it was in 2004 when I started my sports degree at Teesside University.  My love of PE had come from an excellent teacher during secondary school and an excellent teacher in history. I just started not wanting to do anything other than teach.”

And where did you train?

I trained with the ̨��swag Institute of Education (OIE) and Durham University. My placements were at ̨��swag Academy Acklam and ̨��swag Academy Bydales.”

Let’s get into it then, with the first term of your NQT year done, what have been your first impressions?

“Enough of the pleasantries let's get into the "nitty gritty" that is teaching! First thing your NQT year is a big change all of a sudden you left with 30 sets of eyes staring into your soul and waiting for you to tell them what to do! 

“What is scary, in a good way, is being let off the training leash to teach your first lesson. My mind was blown away that all of a sudden I would be on my own teaching 30 students as well as taking the register, getting the equipment sorted, tying laces, behaviour management, building relationships with the students, implementing your standards and expectations and how could I forget! 

“Remembering names of students who you teach and the ones you don't teach! Except, there is always that one student that no matter how many times they tell you their name, you still manage to get it wrong!”

How did your training at the OIE set you up then for your NQT year?

“Going from Trainee teacher to an NQT is quite a scary feeling, you lose what I like to call your safety blanket, the Mentors! They are a life-saver when you are training! 

“They are there for you and in every lesson you teach giving you lots of ideas and areas you can improve upon, while helping to mould you into someone who will one day be an outstanding teacher! 

“I would like to give particular credit to my two mentors during my training year; James and Dave and other members of the PE teams at Bydales and Acklam who helped along the way.”

Overall then, what do you think you’ve learned from your NQT year so far?

“The main thing I have learnt is that you have to be adaptable with lessons and be able to change things up, when it isn't quite working for you. 

“Every day is a new day and things will go wrong for you, so don't dwell on them. Make sure you build positive relationships with students as this will help you along the way and learn all names even though it is difficult. 

“Observe more experienced members of staff wherever possible and don't be afraid to ask questions - there is no such thing as a daft question! Importantly smile and say hello to students, this will take you a long way.”

To find out more about joining ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust as an NQT, please visit .