Teacher Training at FBS

I was anxious about my second placement as you don’t have time to establish yourself with students and you have to jam in a great deal of work to gather sufficient evidence against the teaching standards.

My anxieties were swiftly abated when the headmaster, Mr Ebenezer, was kind enough to welcome me on my first morning during the staff briefing; this thoughtful gesture captured the spirit of the school.  My mentor, Holly Mazur, is an excellent teacher and has been unfailingly supportive. She has found time to indulge my every stricken neurosis, which is no mean feat considering I have them in abundance! She has managed to illuminate many aspects of teaching that were confusing to me during my first placement – in particular advice on long term planning and KS3 assessment.

The school is pioneering in spirit, and the boys are a testament to this in the way they take a positive attitude to the trials of unfamiliar terrain. As a drama trainee, I’ve been struck by how keen the boys are to perform, and how willing to experiment with new skills. There is never a shortage of volunteers! My highlight would have to be the rousing Eisteddfod. There was a palpable hunger to succeed as individuals in the talent contest, and as houses overall. A great school. I shall miss teaching here! Jim Russel, PGCE student