Laura Weatherall - Primary trainee

Year of study

2020/21

What were you doing before SCITT?

After leaving university and working for a while to save money, I completed a TEFL course and moved to China where I taught English for three years across three very different schools.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I have always had a love for learning and a love for sharing that which I have learned. Working with a wide range of students in China really showed me how rewarding teaching can be, and how much joy it can bring to inspire others to achieve and motivate them.

Why did you choose Shotton Hall SCITT?

Being an alum of The Academy at Shotton Hall, I have always been aware of the SCITT and its fantastic reputation locally, I also have friends who have completed the programme who speak very highly of it. During the application process, the SCITT staff were all incredibly friendly, welcoming and supportive (particularly considering the impact of lockdown toward the tail-end of the process), which made the decision to choose Shotton Hall SCITT even easier.

What would you say to anyone thinking of teaching?

Don’t do so lightly; it’s not easy and it’s not a fallback plan but it is incredibly rewarding and definitely helps shape who you are as a person.

What has been your favourite part of training so far?

My favourite part of training so far has probably been getting to know the other trainees. It’s really nice to have a small cohort because it gives us the opportunity to get to know one another well and support each other wherever we can. Also, Ros. We adore Ros.

How does teaching differ from your previous career?

There is a lot more structure and routine, and a lot more in the way of expectations which can be daunting, but there are still such elements of creativity and original thinking that keep things exciting and encouraging. There is a lot of pressure because you appreciate how important your role is but you also realise that every teacher out there is constantly learning and growing so there’s no proverbial ceiling for you to hit like in other careers.