Ms Bartlett

The ECT programme at Cardinal Wiseman provides the best opportunity for new teachers to grow and develop their knowledge and capabilities. I can honestly say that from my very first day I have felt completely guided and supported through every aspect that comes with this profession. All members of staff here at Wiseman are welcoming and willing to help you in any way they can, which is everything you wish for when starting a new job or career.

Through this well-structured programme, ECT’s have weekly CPD sessions that provide the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with those from other subject areas. This has allowed me to enhance my knowledge of a large variety of teaching methods. Personally, I feel my confidence as a teacher has grown through my exceptionally supportive and encouraging mentor who always makes time for me when I need any extra advice outside of our weekly meetings. Additionally, I feel privileged to be a part of an exceptional PE department, from whom I gain a lot of expertise and never ending support, which has contributed to my positive experience as an ECT.

I look forward to my future here at Cardinal Wiseman.

Ms Malcolmson

Taking on teacher training during the pandemic was sure to be a challenging experience, one that has allowed me to become a resilient and forward-thinking teacher. However, after I finished my training, I was concerned that this was only the start of the real challenges. The ECT programme at Cardinal Wiseman has allowed me to face these challenges with confidence. 

It has been an extensive and worthwhile experience from the start and I have felt supported thought-out. The staff and students are a huge credit to the school.  My mentor and induction tutor have been wonderful, providing detailed and extremely helpful feedback on my lessons and lesson planning. Whenever an issue or challenge arises I feel as if the whole school is there supporting me, as there is a great teacher support culture at Cardinal Wiseman. 

My department is exceptional and I feel very at home here after such a small amount of time. My mentor always takes the time to help me understand complex material and involves me in every aspect of the department, allowing me not only to gain a great understanding of my subject but also how the department works. 
I feel incredibly lucky to have my first year of teaching at Cardinal Wiseman. I genuinely appreciate the whole experience and I look forward to the year to come. 

Mr Corden

Cardinal Wiseman is widely considered to be an outstanding school. This is also the case for the comprehensive programme that has been put in place to support and develop me as an Early Career Teacher as I transition from my training year to the role of a full-time teacher.

The programme is led by a member of the SLT, and the network of support provided extends across the whole school. It starts with my dedicated mentor, and includes the rest of the Business Studies Department, other teachers, and support staff who have made me feel a part of the Wiseman team from day one. Nothing is too much trouble and everyone is generous with their valuable time to provide me with the constructive advice and feedback that I need to become a better teacher.

The weekly training programme is a chance to spend time with colleagues, reflect upon my self-study, and share ideas on how I can develop my skills and build what I have learnt into my lessons.

Above all however, it is the school itself and the values that it represents that create an environment of respect and rapport, that make the pupils such a rewarding group to teach.

Ms St Ledger

From the day of the interview, to my first day, to today I have been continually impressed with the warm, welcoming and friendly staff and engaging, polite students here at Cardinal Wiseman School. All staff are happy to help no matter the question and I have felt completely supported and welcomed since starting.

The department is incredibly well organised which dramatically reduces the potential stresses and workload of being an ECT. The teachers are happy to share their resources and ideas, as well as their time, which makes planning lessons a less time consuming task. The CPD opportunities have been excellent with weekly training sessions, whole school training and departmental weekly meetings, in which we share ideas.

The whole ECT process is also structured brilliantly. Its organisation means you are learning weekly from other ECT’s, experienced staff members and from the reading material we complete. The sessions are incredibly valuable; not only do you learn great techniques for in the classroom but you are also given the opportunity to discuss your thoughts with other teachers and develop important skills such as data analysis and how to monitor and record student progress.

Cardinal Wiseman School is an excellent place in which to complete your ECT year and a fantastic place to work. The school really does feel like a community where everyone supports each other, wanting the best for both staff and students. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a school in which to complete their ECT training.

Ms Ramsay

Two words spring to mind when I think about the start of my ECT years here at Cardinal Wiseman; Community and Support. Staff are friendly and helpful and the students are hard-working and caring. The Science department is a great team full of people ready to offer help, guidance and ideas; I feel completely at ease seeking out any member of the team to ask questions or gain advice.

Despite being new to both the school and teaching, my contribution to departmental meetings still feels valued and appreciated. As an ECT, I also have a mentor with whom I meet weekly - she is very supportive and accommodating, no matter how busy her own day might be! The weekly ECT training sessions are also particularly beneficial and there is a fantastic variety of topics and activities, with experienced members of staff from a variety of departments leading. The training sessions are also a chance to meet up with all the other ECT’s and share any tips we might have picked up over recent lessons. I genuinely look forward to contributing more to the community here throughout the rest of my time here.

Ms Mimouni 

My experience as an ECT has been a steep climb up hill. The start of the term has been challenging considering all the deadlines, schemes of work, whole school policies, briefings, emails, chasing, marking, assessing and reflecting. However, I have fitted straight in and adapted quickly because my department and other staff around me have gone above and beyond to provide me with the support I need. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel for me as a new member of staff, overwhelmed by all the new responsibilities.  

Here at Wiseman, my Head of Department as well as my colleagues in Social Studies have been guiding me in the right direction, by allowing me to observe their lessons and promptly answering any questions I have. Even during moments when I feel overwhelmed, there is always someone to talk to, which is reassuring as an ECT. Moreover, the ECT program is so well run by the school; I have had weekly meetings with my mentor, weekly observations and weekly ECT training sessions. These sessions have been truly supportive and a useful guide to support my weekly practice. They have allowed me to meet with other ECTs to discuss theory and to reflect upon different teaching strategies. 

I have formed a close professional relationship with my mentor Mr Rahman who has provided me with support on a daily basis; from answering general queries to providing me with very constructive feedback and offering me tangible targets and guided instruction on how I can achieve them. Ms Murphy, the program leader and Mr Rahman have been truly respectful and professional and without their encouragement and guidance I don’t think i would have progressed so well in such a short period of time.  

I entered the teaching profession knowing how hard and stressful teaching can be. I knew that no career is easy but as long as it’s something you enjoy you will succeed. However, I also understood that working in a kind and respectful environment is equally as important as having passion for that career. I have been lucky enough to encounter just that here at Wiseman; staff enjoy their work and go above and beyond for the students.  

Going forward, I hope to continue to grow as a teacher here at Wiseman. Cardinal Wiseman enables and encourages ECTs to become the unique teacher they strive to be rather than fitting a generic mould.