Interview with Adam Holt | Secondary Trainee (Chemistry)

Two terms nearly completed and one to go, it felt opportune to check in with our Chemistry trainee Adam Holt about his experiences and perceptions on how the course is progressing for him. 

"You do not know what it is like to stand in front of 30 children and teach them something that they do not know they need to know until you do it."

1. What encouraged you to apply to SWIFT Teacher Training?
Living in Plymouth, I looked at all the local training options and found SWIFT Teacher Training. As my first interview, I did it for practice. But I felt so welcomed, finding my kind of people that I accepted the offer the very same day.
 
2. Is the course living up to your expectations?
Yes - in terms of the support, welcome and everything programmed by SWIFT.
But no (and this is not a SWIFT thing), in that certain aspects are harder, and some easier than I anticipated.
 
3. What have been the best aspects to date?
My long placement has been fantastic. SWIFT facilitated me going into the school last summer for a couple of weeks that has really helped. I knew everyone already, having got to know them before the course started.
 
The Subject Knowledge sessions for Science are useful as we practise practicals and get a feel for the experiments we will be running.  I have also enjoyed the sessions on behaviour management and cognitive load, which are very interesting.
 
4. What is most challenging to date?
My short placement had a few challenges. But SWIFT were supportive, and I know that whilst it was testing at times, I got through it.
 
5. How do your placements help you?
You do not know what it is like to stand in front of 30 children and teach them something that they do not know they need to know until you do it.  I cannot describe that feeling. It is unlike any public speaking or presentations I have done before. Plus, the sense of responsibility you get stood at the front of the classroom is massive. 

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6. How do you find the PGCE course element?
Very different to what I am doing in the classroom: much less tactical. It is more about the strategic top-down elements of education, which is useful to know as a classroom practitioner.
 
These sessions are more about building an awareness of certain educational topics, which I think will provide a good foundation if you wish to specialise later on in your teaching career.

7. Do you feel supported on the course?
Yes, I do!
The Campus and Central Teams are both great, and if I email my Campus Lead, I know that he will respond – and quickly.

8. What do you enjoy most about teaching Science?
I enjoy it because...Period 1, I am teaching Biology and the evolution of Geckos. Next period, I am teaching why fertilisers save millions of lives every year. To the next period, and I am teaching why stars cannot be green in Physics (in case you’re wondering, it is to do with the frequencies of light being the same).
 
9. Are you intending to stay and teach in the Devon area after the course?
Yes, I am intending to stay in Plymouth. In fact, I have an interview for a Plymouth school this Thursday [We wish you good luck!].
 
10. What are you most looking forward to as a teacher?
Lots of things!
Having my own classroom that I can organise (with my pens!).
Having students that I will see repetitively.

Being a permanent part of a team because I have enjoyed feeling supported and part of the team on my long placement, even if I know that I am leaving in the summer (unless there is a job!).
The permanence of a team when these will be my colleagues for two, three years, and also some independence as a teacher.
 
We thank Adam for his upbeat interview and wish him every fulfilling success for the final term of the course - and beyond, to his teaching career!

Interview by Jude Baylis, SWIFT Executive Assistant