I joined Ashlawn School in September 2014 as a science teacher. One of the reasons I joined this school was because of the friendly atmosphere and enthusiasm of teachers in the classroom. The CPD system that has been developed in this school is great and members of SLT are very supportive in helping give and create opportunities for members of staff at Ashlawn, to help them to progress in their careers. In my first year at Ashlawn, I was allocated as a Mentor for PGCE students training with University of Warwickshire. I was given the responsibility to observe, support, coach and guide these students to be outstanding in their time at Ashlawn. I was proud to know that all trainee teachers went on to be employed by other schools and lead successful teaching careers.

After positive feedback from a learning walk on a differentiated resource that I had created to enhance and support the learning of my year 12 chemistry class, I was asked to roll this idea out to the science department which worked well when adapted to different lessons and topics.

Throughout my time here, I have felt that the students treat me with a great deal of respect and continue to make my time here at Ashlawn an exceptional experience.

I joined Ashlawn School six years ago as a learning mentor. I was appointed to this post straight from University and was encouraged and allowed to gain experience in a range of departments, on external training courses and with professionals who came into the school to help find out where I wanted my career to go.

After two years’ experience in this role I was accepted onto a GTP course and completed my training at Ashlawn School. During this year I was encouraged to gain knowledge and experience from a range of experienced and outstanding teachers. All the teachers I worked with and approached where happy to offer advice and welcomed me to observe a range of lessons. I was given coaching sessions at least once a week and felt fully supported throughout my training year. While also being given the opportunity to be independent and work out my own teaching style. I feel within the school I am listened to which allowed for the development of a new teaching style (which I observed at my placement school) in my subject area which has had a huge impact on results.

I then went on to complete my NQT at Ashlawn School where I was always encouraged to push myself and was given a number of opportunities. I shadowed a Head of Year one lesson a week as I knew I wanted to develop down the pastoral route. I requested that I had my own tutor group (as other NQTs share) and I was given the opportunity to show my passion and commitment to pastoral. I had a number of A level and GCSE classes in my NQT year and was trusted to work effectively and independently with these groups.

The following year I was appointed as Pastoral Assistant and was supported day to day by the Heads of Year I worked closely with. I was encouraged to go above and beyond so I could gain the experience required to progress. This meant that after just one year in this role I progressed onto Head of Year where I am able to work closely with and form positive relationships with the range of students we have at Ashlawn School. I form part of greater pastoral team who are keen to support all staff with any key students, progress/behaviour concerns or offer any advice on classroom management techniques.

Ashlawn is a fantastic school to work at where hard work is recoginsed and rewarded. I have been given a range of opportunities in my time here and have been encouraged to embrace the next stages in my career. I have a network of staff and SLT members who I feel are supportive and approachable ensuring I never feel alone when teaching gets tough. The students at Ashlawn are polite, enthusiastic and hardworking. It is great to work at a school where high standards are set and students are expected to adhere to them. The members of staff at Ashlawn School are extremely friendly and supportive. I love my job and feel extremely lucky to work at a school with such fantastic students, meticulous staff and within two extremely supportive teams.

I joined Ashlawn as a trainee teacher in January 2011. With the support and guidance of an excellent Maths department, I completed my PGCE and started working here at Ashlawn as a qualified Maths teacher in September 2011.

Throughout my six years of teaching at Ashalwn, I have been given many opportunities to develop my teaching. With support from the Maths department, I have been able to develop my A-level teaching, extending my own subject knowledge and teaching ability by teaching Mechanics, Statistics and Core A level modules.

In addition to the many opportunities and the training given to me to extend and enhance my teaching of Maths, I have also been able to train and become a qualified teacher in Level 2 Logistics whilst at Ashlawn.

Ashlawn is an excellent school, which is committed to developing and challenging their staff. Throughout my six years at Ashlawn, I have been selected for and completed two leadership courses, which supported me and was invaluable to me for my leadership role within Maths.

Ashlawn has very hard working, excellent teachers dedicated to student progress, and there are always plenty of opportunities for staff development.