I arrived keen and ready to go, prepared for whatever task was thrown at me. For the first day, I had the privilege of working all day with the magical Mrs. Withers and was able to help some of our younger pupils with their challenging tasks. By lunchtime, I was exhausted and had begun to understand that being a teacher isn’t just that! You have so many roles and wear so many hats; it’s almost like a performance.

During my week, I was assigned many other tasks and was even allowed in to the forbidden stock cupboard! This room comes with warning signs and rumour has it that it even has a floor, which I managed to find eventually! The antiquities in there were even older than Mrs. Underwood! I can genuinely say that it has made me consider my path in to teaching and has made me realise the preparation that I will have to do in order to succeed at this vocation and be as incredible as the teachers I observed this week.

I can honestly say that working with Mrs Underwood and the English Department has given me more enthusiasm, positivity and inspiration than I could ever have wished for.  It is very sad that no other year groups will get to experience work placements, but I am just so happy that I got to do it with such a wonderful team of committed and enthusiastic teachers; they really are amazing!

By Declan Flynn Year 10