Scott Clulee,Year 2 Teacher at Cutnall Green CofE Primary School explains why a secondment opportunity has been the highlight of his teaching career so far.

 

Next step

"During the summer term, a secondment opportunity became available at a smaller school within our multi academy trust. Fast forward a year and here I am, about to explain why this opportunity has ended up being the highlight of my teaching career so far.
Heading in to my fifth year as a class teacher in Key Stage 1, I began to wonder what was next for me. As the year progressed, it became clear that I was ready for something new, so when the opportunity to move to a new school arose, I jumped at it. New setting, new colleagues, new children and a new challenge. Little did I know just how beneficial this move would be. 
I quickly learnt that I would be leading English across the school, a role that has always interested me. Teaching English in Key Stage 1 has been a passion of mine since I started teaching and this move has provided me with the opportunity to develop my knowledge of what English looks like in Key Stage 2."

 

Professional development

"School improvement visits, English subject leader meetings and a range of courses made available by the MAT have all helped me grow in confidence and have helped to prepare me to support the teaching and learning of English across the school.  
With the support of my new colleagues and the trust of my new head teacher, my focus quickly shifted to on one of our school priorities ‘to promote a love of reading’. Our approach to reading has been so successful. Reading is at the core of everything that we do and the children love it. The approach that we have adopted and adapted has been well received with staff and the children speak so passionately about reading. This has been a great project for me and a perfect opportunity to develop my leadership skills. Leading staff meetings, writing policies, presenting at parent workshops and giving feedback after lesson observations has been invaluable and leaves me wanting more. 
As the year has progressed at my new school, my confidence continues to grow. I find myself leading more staff meetings, involved in discussions regarding future aspects of the school and most importantly for me, I enjoy myself more every day.

 

In such a short amount of time, I feel like I have come such a long way. With the faith being shown in me and the willingness to help provide the best possible outcomes for the children and staff at my new school, I’m excited about the future."