15 Feb, 2021
My RQT experience by Lauren Brown Northern Education Trust Kearsley Academy
Last term, through the RQT programme, I was able to develop as a leader as well as improve my classroom practice. Working closely with my mentor, I set a range of targets that would enhance my teaching and my understanding of leadership roles within the Trust.
My first target was to embed Need to Know into my classroom practice. This gave me the opportunity to observe good practice from colleagues throughout the school, within my department and outside of it. Through this observation, I was able to see a range of methods used to incorporate the Need to Know guides as a tool for learning and assessment. I was then able to take a leadership role within my department by sharing this with other English teachers in my school.
My second target was to improve my pedagogical understanding of how to stretch and challenge most able students. I observed our English Director, Hayley Craddock, teaching a similar lesson to a lower set then a higher set and I could clearly see how she had stretched and challenged the higher set, using the same materials but different resources and questioning. The impact of this was clear in our STEP results, and it was brilliant to see how the RQT programme had strengthened my teaching and had a clear impact within my class.
My third target was focused on leadership within my department and looked at how to use a QLA to plan appropriate intervention. Through this training, I was able to support my Head of Department by planning 121 intervention and to streamline option classes. Again, the support and mentoring of the RQT programme had a tangible and meaningful impact on the work of my Department.
Having observed a Y11 RAG, I was able to set up a Y10 RAG for our Department and quality assure it. I was also confident and able to deliver a Y11 RAG when my HOD was absent.
One of the biggest benefits of the RQT programme I have found is the development of subject networks across the Trust. I was able to link up with the Second in English at Kirk Balk and share lessons and good practice.