As with any job, there are perks and drawbacks. The good, the perks: JTHS had an amazing team of staff, who I could tell set the ambiance of the school and created a positive working atmosphere. Definitely a perk! Let’s be honest, people make the job. SLT all worked closely together and communication was key to every person’s role keeping everyone in the loop and ultimately making everyone’s job that little bit easier. The staff I met answered my questions honestly and gave a thorough overview of their position helping me to see the reality of a job, and not just what I imagine it to be on paper. I had the opportunity to explore all different roles, 6th form, pastoral, data, SEN and Teaching and Learning, which allowed me to see if my first thoughts about the area I wanted to explore was actually right. And of course I was given reflection time – as a teacher and middle leader we know information is only useful if we have the opportunity to do something with it.

The drawbacks. From my own experience, on reflection, as I was unsure of the direction I wanted to take, I wish I’d had another day there where I could shadow the SLT with the role I had chosen to actually see the entire day from their perspective. I wouldn’t change the course I experienced as it enabled me to decide that actually my first thoughts wasn’t actually what I wanted. Id decided that a route into 6th form (where I would take ownership of all areas – not what I expected) was more the route for me. But after realising this, to shadow the head of 6th form for the day would have been useful and I will be pursuing opportunities to shadow and collaborate with the Head of 6th form in my own school to enhance my further career opportunities.