<p>A recent national survey found that nearly three-quarters of trainee teachers <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/jan/27/five-top-reasons…; target="_blank">considered leaving</a> the profession during their first years as a teacher.<br><br>
If you are thinking of entering the teaching profession, it is important that you do so with a clear understanding of both the challenges and rewards of the teaching profession. <br><br>
This overview will offer you a realistic guide to the role and responsibilities of a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT). It will help you to understand exactly what <a href="https://www.randstad.co.uk/jobs/q-nqt/s-education/"; target="_blank">NQT jobs</a> entail and what qualities and skills you will need to succeed. </p>
<h2>NQT challenges </h2>
<p>The national survey of trainee teachers highlighted the exact challenges that led many to consider leaving teaching.<br><br>
Surprisingly, only for few was it the classroom teaching itself. That heavy burden of responsibility for thirty children’s education paled into insignificance compared to the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/jan/27/five-top-reasons…; target="_blank">administrative burden</a> and the long hours required outside the classroom to deliver the lessons. </p>
<p>It’s not all negative news, however. It was also found that nearly three-quarters of trainee teachers joined the profession because they wanted to make a real difference to children’s lives. What’s more roughly the same percentage still said they actually <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/jan/27/five-top-reasons…; target="_blank">still enjoyed working with children</a>. </p>
<p>Yet that workload is what really challenges trainee teachers. As an NQT, it can suddenly seem that the time you need to recuperate and reflect on your practice is simply not there.</p>
<h3>NQT responsibilities</h3>
<p>NQTs find themselves, for the first time, responsible for delivering lessons to their own classes. Not taking over a part of a scheme of work but responsible for planning, delivering and assessing the outcomes of a whole year’s work.</p>
<p>It is not the delivery of lessons, or challenging behaviour, that causes the most stress, however. It is all the other things that go before and after this.</p>
<p>One of the largest challenges is lesson planning. In your early years as a teacher you do not have that stockpile of lessons to draw on and, as you are still being trained, everything you teach must be formally recorded.</p>
<p>Then there is the need to differentiate each lesson and to plan for different abilities and learning needs. In today’s mixed ability classrooms, NQTs must ensure that each lesson plan accounts for pupils of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositions. This includes those with special educational needs, those of high ability; those with English as an additional language and those with disabilities.</p>
<p>Finally, there is a considerable burden of recording and assessing not just the pupil’s attainment but your own achievements as a teacher. </p>
<p>It can be a struggle to ensure that your passion for teaching, your desire to make a difference and your enthusiastic ideals do not become swamped by the stress of the workload. The challenge is to remain feeling enriched by the teaching profession instead of just time poor.</p>
<p>NQTs most certainly do not keep school hours. The school day itself may run from 9 – 3.30 but most NQTs will arrive at school long before the first bell and still be there long after the last. </p>
<h4>Is teaching right for you?</h4>
<p>Despite the burden of responsibility and the long hours, teaching can be a rewarding and enjoyable job. Organisation is, perhaps, the most important skill for an NQT, but it’s not one that you will necessarily learn as part of your PGCE. </p>