What do you like about working here?

The atmosphere of the school is positive; it is a tight knit community of people who want the best for the pupils and families that they serve no matter what the circumstances. You have freedom to be creative with your teaching whilst fulfilling the curriculum and you’re supported to try new techniques to improve pupil progress and engagement.

How have you been supported since joining Alder Community High School?

My Head of Department, colleagues and SLT have given me support throughout my time here; whether in developing lesson ideas, classroom management techniques or day to day advice. I have felt part of the school from the moment I was offered my position and feel like I’ve always had someone to turn to when needed and most importantly, they’ve been willing to help.

What have you done that you are proud of whilst working at Alder Community High School?

In the past 18 months I have had the opportunity to set up and run our School Council, host awareness days in line with Citizenship and PSHE topics, organise a trip to the Houses of Parliament for pupils from both Key Stages and establish a provision at break and lunch for more vulnerable pupils. I am proud of the improvements of pupil attitudes towards acceptance and tolerance and seeing a boost in their confidence from being encouraged to share their valued opinions.

What are the students like to work with?

The students are inquisitive, thoughtful, proud and opinionated. They work hard to bring positive change and challenge each other to think differently. They are also very committed to their education and want the school and area to thrive.

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?

School Council, staff voice and the Year 7 residential trip to The Manor. I also support the newly established feminism group.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining Alder Community High School?

Visit the school if you have any doubts in whether you want to apply. You will be able to feel from the moment you come through the door whether the environment is right for you. Come and meet the pupils, staff and see how lessons are delivered.

Tell me about your department.

We are privileged at Alder to have specialist teachers delivering PSHE and Citizenship which highlights how the school values not only developing the young people academically but also socially. The Social Sciences department is one in which creativity is encouraged, debate is central to our lessons and our aim is to ensure that pupils go on to lead a healthy and fulfilled life. Most importantly, through the teaching, pupils are engaged in learning about themselves, challenging attitudes and having an understanding of events that affect the modern world.

What do you like about working here?

Since I began working here in 2012, I love that fact that we are a community school. Although results are a priority, there is a strong focus on the well-being of our students, developing their social and moral values, and caring for them.

I like the passionate commitment to high standards and students’ progress.

And finally, when I first started as an inexperienced teacher here, it was ideal that Alder was smaller than average – it allowed me to establish myself quickly and meant my confidence grew.

How have you been supported since joining Alder Community High School?

In my first year, there was a supportive framework for NQTs. This included regular meetings with a member of SLT and CPD sessions based on a variety of teaching and learning concepts, such as differentiation, assessment for learning, and behaviour management.

I am also lucky to have an extremely supportive, close-knit department. One of the more experienced members of the department was helpful and patient in those challenging first months.

Now, I receive most of my support from the Head of Department and SLT members. I believe that these people recognise that I want to progress and have given me many opportunities to do this.

What have you done that you are proud of whilst working at Alder Community High School?

I am proud of the achievements of some of the most able students at Alder. As and A*s prove difficult to achieve in English Language and Literature, and so I have felt a great sense of accomplishment on results days when students open those envelopes.

I am proud of my own personal success in my role as second in English. I was given the role temporarily in my second year of teaching, and have been undertaking it in a permanent position since. I am proud of the input I’ve had in shaping the KS3 and KS4 curriculums, offering support to other members of staff and meeting the needs of a diverse range of students.

Furthermore, I am proud of my participation in an extra-curricular trip to Borneo in the summer of 2016. I travelled with students from Alder and other Tameside schools, together undertaking multiple environmental and community projects which had a life-changing impact on the locals. I am now in the process of supporting more of our students in fundraising for a similar trip to Cambodia, in the summer of 2018.

What are the students like to work with?

The students at our school have great personality. Sometimes they can be a challenge, but they are keen to build positive relationships with staff, and they make me laugh every day!

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?

As stated, I am involved in the fundraising for trips to Asia, led by Camps International. The number of students wanting to take part in these expeditions is on the rise. I believe this is fantastic, as their involvement makes a big impact on the local communities, but also brings personal benefits to students: they experience a new culture, learn a new language, and develop valuable team working skills.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining Alder Community High School?

Use the help around you. There are so many members of staff that I have learned from since teaching here; they have helped me to become an effective teacher and leader.

How have you been developed professionally?

I was given NQT support, in the form of regular meetings and feedback, from a member of SLT in my first year at the school.

I was given the opportunity to apply for the temporary role of Assistant Curriculum Leader in my second year. I have regular meetings with the Head of Department so that I feel supported but also challenged. I am always learning.

I was also selected for a Leadership CPD course, which I completed in the last academic year. This involved looking at the theories behind good leadership, recognising what type of leader I wanted to be, and some practical training including developing a new concept to improve the school, and presenting this to SLT.

What professional development and career opportunities do you think will be open in the future?

I would like to continue to coach and support members of staff in teaching and learning.

I do have ambitions for a Head of Department role.

Tell me about your department.

The English department is relatively small, with seven members of teaching staff and one HLTA. As we are small, we are close-knit and supportive of one another.

Recent lesson observations of the department show that our strengths lie in our high expectations of students, differentiation, and engagement.

The department is well resourced, schemes are planned and work well to meet the needs of all students and ensure good progress is being made. Staff are encouraged to be flexible when responding to their classes needs individually.

We have high expectations of our staff; we do one of the most important jobs in the world and that is reflected in the quality of what we do every day. We also have high expectations of our students as we understand the importance of the skills that we teach.

What do you like about working here?

Everything. It’s got a great atmosphere. There is a real community feel about the place between the staff and the students. The students are amazing and hilarious to spend time with, they are genuinely some of the most awesome young people I’ve met. The staff are amazing too, everyone has time to support anyone with anything.

How have you been supported since joining Alder Community High School?

Basically, I started on my PGCE here 11 years ago and stayed! I’ve been offered so much support and guidance and opportunity. I’ve been nurtured as a teacher and have been supported in pursuing other interests like my PG Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties and my NASENCO qualification.

What have you done that you are proud of whilst working at Alder Community High School?

So many things! I’m proud of what my students achieve every year at results day; they work so hard. I’m also proud of completing my university courses on top of being a teacher.

What are the students like to work with?

Awesome. They are hilarious and wonderful. They make me laugh every day. Taking the time to build positive relationships with them is so important and it works massively in terms of getting the best out of them.

What extra-curricular activities do you get involved in?

Due to the nature of my job, not as much as I’d like to be involved in but I do intervention for English when it is needed. Historically I’ve been involved in Food for Thought and even ran a dance club!

What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining Alder Community High School?

Alder is a place where everyone works together for the students and if that is the type of place you wish to be then go for it. It’s amazing!

How have you been developed professionally?

As I said before, I’ve been on two masters level university courses relating to SEND. I’ve had lots of internal training about differentiation, data, planning etc. There’s always something that you need to develop as a teacher; I’ve yet to find something here that I’ve not felt that I could get the support to develop professionally.

What support do you get?

What don’t you get? Genuinely, there is support for everyone in many forms. I’ve been supported informally through talking to colleagues, I’ve worked as a coach to support other staff, I’ve had regular meetings with my line managers to seek support. Support is not a bad word at Alder; it genuinely comes from everywhere since we’re all doing the same job.

What professional development and career opportunities do you think will be open in the future?

I’m hoping to start another qualification in September regarding access arrangements. I’d like to one day be on SLT, if not here somewhere different but right now there is so much to keep me busy I’m not looking to move just yet.