So this is my first time posting on a blog…….here goes! I have been in my seconded post since August and I am still finding it strange not being interrupted regularly to tie a shoelace or resolve a playground dispute over who got to be the Spiderman in the game. I am also finding it rather refreshing to be referred to as ‘Linda’ and not the usual cries of ‘Miss McGregor’ (or ‘Mr McGellar’ as one of my younger pupils would refer to me as.)
I am thoroughly enjoying my new post and finding it very interesting. The phrase ‘every day’s a school day’ has never been more apparent which is quite ironic considering I am no longer in school! Luckily enough I have a fantastic team around me who are always on hand to answer my cries of ‘Help!!’
My role consists of two parts – Probationer Support and Supply Support.
Probationer Support
I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of our new probationers. Although my role is predominantly supporting Primary Probationers I have been lucky enough to work with all probationers on several occasions. They are a great bunch who are all very enthusiastic and have been a pleasure to work with. I have had the opportunity to devise and present training courses to the group which has been an exciting development opportunity for me. I have had the chance to do this before but on a much smaller scale. My first thought before presenting at the welcome meeting in August was ‘They better have a microphone!’
The probationers have been out at lots of courses since August including Co-operative Learning, Assessment is for Learning and Behaviour management. It is refreshing to see lots of the strategies from these courses shining through in the GTCS profiles which Lindsey and I have been going through this week.
I am starting my first visits to schools to meet with probationers and supporters. This is one aspect of the role I have been looking forward to as I love getting in to see different schools and see what is going on. I also look forward to being able to support in any way that I can.
Supply Support
My first few weeks in Garshake consisted of trawling through the supply list to find out who was still actively doing supply work for our authority and who was….’Aff the list!’ as we like to say. I must admit, I felt like a bit of a detective for a while. Not an easy task! I have put together a programme of Professional Learning for supply teachers. We now have most dates firmed up and I hope to see a lot of faces at our courses. The courses are all on the West Dunbartonshire CPD website and we welcome Early Phase teachers as well as any other member of staff that feel they would benefit from coming along. The more the merrier!
| Course Name | Location | Date |
| Child Protection Training | ERS | Thursday 6th November 4pm-5pm |
| Professional Update | ERS | Tuesday 25th November 4pm-5pm |
| Better Behaviour – Better Learning | ERS | Tuesday December 2nd 4pm-5.15pm |
| Health and Safety (Secondary Practical Skills)** | ERS | Provisionally December 10th and 11th |
| IT skills (Primary focus) | ERS | Wednesday 21st January 4pm-5pm |
| Reciprocal Reading Skills | ERS | Tuesday 17th February 4pm-5pm |
| Outdoor Learning | ERS | Thursday 5th March 4pm-5.30pm |
I will also be chasing up Supply teachers to find out if they have had a PRD meeting. Every supply teacher is entitled to this experience whether they are working regularly in a school or not. Supply teachers who do not have access to a relevant colleague within a school are more than welcome to come to me and I can do a PRD.
I am also working on a policy for Supply teachers who are on the flexible route to full registration to ensure that they have access to relevant training opportunities and are being supported in the best way possible.
My role is beginning to develop into all sorts of different avenues. Right now I am a very buzy bee but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Linda McGregor
Probationer and Supply Support Officer