Rebecca Perrin SCITT trainee 2020/2021

Rebecca Perrin one of our current SCITT trainees has just secured a job at Westfield School, Sheffield. Rebecca will be teaching Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

I completed my BSc in Human Biology and my MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology in Sheffield. I found the research projects fascinating and so I decided to move into research. I worked as a medical researcher in Leeds for 4.5 years, focussing on the structural changes in cells that can be seen in patients who suffer from primary ciliopathies (a small group of rare genetic diseases).

Whilst the research itself was very rewarding, I found that I enjoyed the communication and teaching aspect of the role far more. I wanted a career that would allow me to get enthusiastic about science with young people, and to have more variety in my day. I contacted the Sheffield SCITT who helped me to organise a few short placements to observe some teaching. I began the course in September 2020 and I’m so happy that I started!

“I have found my training year very rewarding! The mentoring and feedback from host teachers has been fantastic - I have felt very supported all the way through my training.”

The second lockdown felt very sudden, but the teaching on the course was responsive to this. I have learnt lots of tools and strategies to help me to remotely teach successfully.

The SCITT also encourages and provides professional development that is informed by current educational research. I completed the PGCE alongside the QTS element of the course and I found that the training provided by the SCITT helped immensely with my academic work. Most importantly for me, the mentors and host teachers in my placement schools have been very welcoming – the SCITT has been a lovely course to complete.

Personal highlights?

When I was coming to the end of my first teaching practice I received an email from a student who had enjoyed our lessons together. She detailed how she didn’t really enjoy science before but she really enjoyed our lessons together. It was very unexpected and heart-warming!

Finding out that a student was interested in an area of astrophysics that was off curriculum. It was out of my specialism so we decided to both research the topic separately and then discuss the following lesson. It was great to develop some scientific curiosity with this student – we both learnt a lot.

What did you find most challenging?

Teaching and training remotely during the pandemic. I’m a very social person and teaching remotely and meeting with mentors/attending training courses throughout lockdown over zoom was very challenging for me. Luckily my mentors and host teachers and both of my placement schools have been fantastic and happy to chat and give feedback after a lesson. We also had a WhatsApp group for the science trainees which was great for peer support.

Any tips for future teacher trainees?

Get organised early: use a planner/diary to organise your time, and get lessons and resources ready in advance. Make sure to give yourself time to relax and unwind as well!
Make the most of your mentor’s knowledge (and resources!): My SCITT mentors have been great! Be sure to ask for their advice if you need a hand with planning or creating resources. More than once I have described a resource I want to create and they have pulled a perfect fit out of their own bank of resources – it has saved a lot of time.
Enjoy it! I know this sounds very cliché but the year will fly by. Enjoy the time you get to create meaningful relationships with your students. Enjoy the extra time you get to plan great lessons. Enjoy the time you have to figure out and experiment with what kind of teacher you want to be.

Did the training put you in good stead for applying for teaching positions and going to interviews?

Absolutely. I received great advice from the SCITT where to look for jobs and how to write an application for teaching positions. I also received helpful support from my mentor at the time on my first application. I was successful in securing a job at a competitive school after my first application and interview.

Training to teach during a global pandemic is unlike any other training year, what have you taken away from this unique experience?

Be kind to yourself and be kind to your students. The pandemic has affected us all in different ways and I have found that a level of compassion has positively impacted my relationships with students and therefore their ability to learn.
Make the most of your support network. We’ve all been going through this new experience together, and whilst the circumstances have definitely been less than ideal, there are lots of positive things that I have taken away from it. Aside from the moral support, it’s been great to share ideas and tools that can be used for remote learning. I am hopeful that these tools will help student learning even when lockdowns are over.

What excites you about your future career in teaching?

I’m so excited to discuss current scientific advancements and inspirational scientists with my students. I am hoping to set up a STEM club in the near future where students can develop their practical skills further and try experiments that are off-curriculum. I’m very passionate about science and I look forward to sharing this with my students.

How would you describe the support you have received from the SCITT?

The support from the SCITT has been great. The mentors and teachers who provide training are very well informed and happy to share their ideas on best practice. If I have had any questions the SCITT have been very quick to respond with comprehensive answers. The support from mentors and subject specialists is fantastic. I now have a good bank of ideas and resources to draw on for September!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now and again in 10 years?

5 years: I’m very interested in developing extra-curricular science provisions. I see myself running a STEM club and equipping students with the motivation and ability to thoroughly research independently. I would also like to be involved in mentoring future ITT trainees.

10 years: In 10 years time I would like to maintain my input into extracurricular science. I would also like to take on a pastoral role in my school.

Rebecca Perrin SCITT trainee 2020/2021