This document contains testimonials from trainees who have completed the GTP (Graduate Teacher Programme) at the George Abbot Teaching School. The trainees offer advice about being organized, networking early, learning from both successes and failures in lessons, asking for support from mentors, and finding a work-life balance despite challenges. Overall, they describe the GTP as a rewarding experience that equipped them with skills to become successful teachers despite its difficulties.

1. George Abbot School
Accredited Provider
& Partners
Trainee Testimonials
Specialist Music College

2. ‘Everyone says it, but start working on the
portfolio as soon as you start the course. Any
evidence is good evidence until you have
something better to replace it with.’
‘Network early on for jobs, shake the hand of
everyone you meet and remember that in the
partnership you are always advertising
yourself for a future job so be professional.’
Specialist Music College

3. ‘With many ups and downs throughout the year
it has been a fantastic experience, one of
which I would highly recommend to anyone
thinking of joining the teaching profession.’
‘Lessons don’t always go to plan, despite of
how long you have spent planning them – BUT
you WILL survive and you will learn so much
from the good and the bad! Remember to keep
calm – It’s always almost half term!’
Specialist Music College

4. ‘The GTP year has been one of the most
challenging that I have faced; there are some
things that you just cannot prepare for, and
this is one of them!
The challenge is wonderful, though. Being a
teacher is the most varied, unpredictable job
in the world, and I’m lucky enough to enjoy it
so much that it still doesn’t feel like a huge
chore getting up in the morning!’
Specialist Music College

5. ‘ Don’t be offended – kids have no concept of
age… if you are their teacher you’re old!!!!’
‘Teaching IS organising – stay organised!!!’
‘Thank you to the George Abbot (and Weydon)
team for helping to equip me with the right
skills to find a job, and hopefully to become a
future success.’
Specialist Music College

6. ‘I have really appreciated the opportunity to
build up relationships with other GTPs, with
whom I was able to share the best points of
my training year, and whose support and
advice were so helpful during the lowest
points.
Many thanks Helena, Claire, Lyndsay, Alastair
and the rest of the AP!’
Specialist Music College

7. ‘ I think the most valuable part of my training
has been observing other members of staff at
both placement schools as I have been able to
work with some outstanding teachers.’
‘The AP pedagogical training sessions were
excellent and incredibly helpful, particularly
the sessions about creative planning through
which my enthusiasm for innovative practice
was re-ignited.’
Specialist Music College

8. ‘Be prepared to feel really nervous when
you start teaching, despite presenting in
my previous career, standing up in front
of a class of 14 year olds is very daunting
and I can tell you now it is not as easy as
the experienced teachers make it look!!’
‘Looking back I can’t think of any better
way of doing things other than the old
cliché “be organised from the
beginning” !’
Specialist Music College

9. ‘You will have a lot to do. You will feel
more tired than you ever have before.
But make sure you have some time off
when there is an opportunity – if you
keep on top of things from the start, trust
me, you will make your life/work balance
a lot easier!!’
Specialist Music College

10. ‘Be organised, there is a lot of paperwork.
File things so you can find them – this will
set you in good stead when you have the
chance to teach the same lesson again or
when you come to put together your
portfolio.’
‘I really feel like the GTP has given me the
change to develop my own teaching and
learning practice in a way that challenged
me, but in the knowledge that I had a
fantastic support network behind me (AP
Team, both placement schools)’
Specialist Music College

11. ‘The entire AP team have made the whole
experience not only mentally stimulating
but thoroughly enjoyable to be part of.
This year has been the most challenging
year of my life but it has also been life
changing; it is the first time I’ve ever felt
wholly passionate about what I’m doing.’
Specialist Music College

12. “This experience has been made all the
better by the people I’ve been able to
share it with; it’s been amazing to be
surrounded by such a wide variety of
people, of all ages and all backgrounds,
who have been thrown together through a
desire to teach.”
Specialist Music College

13. ‘Completing a GTP is like learning to drive. At
first you make many mistakes, but you have an
instructor who is there every step of the way,
guiding and supporting you.
Then one day something clicks. You can't
explain it and it's often hard to describe the
process. You just 'get it' and it feels right.
George Abbot Teaching School is the best place
to make those mistakes and get the advice and
support that turns you from a learner into an
outstanding teacher.’
Specialist Music College

14. ‘ The best career move that I have ever
made.’
‘Hard work, requiring great commitment
but with fantastic returns for all the
effort.’
‘By far the most challenging year I’ve
experienced, but also the most
rewarding!’
Specialist Music College