Meet our trainees

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher.....

I have been teaching unqualified for the last three years. This was due to a change in my family circumstances. I have, however, been in a school setting for the last seven years working in different roles as a Food Technician, Cover Supervisor and Assistant Teacher. I felt it was the right time in my life to undertake my professional qualification and move my career to the next level. 

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?

I chose Astra due to its strong links with schools in the Buckinghamshire area and the option to complete the Design and Technology course part time. 

What have been the highlights of your training?

Meeting a talented, ambitious and diverse group of fellow trainees that I can continue to develop and network together throughout my career.

What have been the challenges?

The main challenge is managing the workload.The course does get easier over time but planning and preparation plays an important role. Buy yourself a teacher planner and read the weekly Astra emails! 

Top advice for anyone considering teaching?

It is never too late to train - just do it! Build relationships with everyone around you including the pupils.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher...
Growing up in Kenya, my geography teacher inspired my passion for the subject. Teaching felt like the perfect way to share that enthusiasm, inspire curiosity, and make a difference in young people's lives.

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?
I chose Astra for its excellent reputation, central location in Aylesbury, and diverse partner schools. Its focus on academic diligence and practical experience made it the ideal choice.

What have been the highlights of your training?
Observing my mentor teach a Year 13 class inspired me to develop my own style. Teaching my first lessons with Year 7 and seeing their progress was also a highlight, reinforcing my passion for teaching.

What have been the challenges?
Teacher training has been demanding. My first lesson tested my confidence and behaviour management, but it taught me the value of preparation, routines, and clear instructions. Each challenge has helped me improve.

Top advice for anyone considering teaching:
Be open to feedback, stay organized, and build strong relationships with mentors and colleagues. Teaching is challenging but incredibly rewarding.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher.....
While at university, I loved developing my knowledge of my subject (Biology), a subject that I had great passion for without truly understanding why. Upon reflection, It occurred to me that my passion for science was brought out of me by my science teachers at school, whose enthusiasm for their own subject was palpable. It was then when I realised I wanted to teach science and display my passion for the subject in the hope of inspiring students to develop their own eagerness for all the sciences.

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?
When looking for a training provider, I focused on a provider that had a reputation for helping to train great teachers, teaching all the way through from KS3 to KS5.

What have been the highlights of your training?
Being able to visit many different schools and experience the difference in environments always provides such useful insight into furthering my own teaching. Hearing amazing, thoughtful, and scientific discussions take place during lessons. Seeing the enthusiasm the students have for learning and furthering their knowledge is priceless.

What have been the challenges?
Having to manage several factors during a lesson, whilst ensuring the lesson remains on time as to prevent students turning up late to the next lesson has been challenging. 

Top advice for anyone considering teaching?
Keep track of what must be done each day in the way you find easiest to manage such as a physical planner or an online planner. Plan some time in the evening to relax and decompress - read a book, watch an episode of your favourite tv show, anything to help you relax at the end of the day.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher.....

I always had an aptitude for maths and this led me to a successful career as an actuary.   I have always attributed this partly to the dedication of my school maths teachers, who inspired me to continue with the subject at university and then into my career.   After 30 years in work I decided I wanted to give something back to the world of teaching, and challenge myself in this unique profession.

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?

Astra were my local teacher training provider and as such they covered most of the schools where I could see myself teaching.  They were proactive from the moment I first contacted them, and have supported me at every step so far.

What have been the highlights of your training?

There have been many.  The first time I set foot in the classroom confirmed that I felt I was in the right place and had not made a huge mistake!  The random conversations with students in corridors.  The elation of getting thumbs up at the end of my first full hour's lesson.  Overhearing students saying they enjoyed my lesson.  Making connections between theory and practice, which really builds confidence in what I am doing.

What have been the challenges?

Workload!  At first it seems overwhelming as you are faced with knowing nothing and having to juggle both your professional studies and the challenge of preparing lessons.  But it does get easier as the weeks go by.  Learning to reflect on your own performance - your faults are laid bare so there is nowhere to hide.

Top advice for anyone considering teaching?

Do it!  You will never stop learning and never stop improving.  It is an immensely social profession (barring marking 32 assessments at a time), you will be supported by your tutors and colleagues alike and you will feel you have made a difference to someone's life every day.  Just make sure you are well organised, don't underestimate the challenges, and don't expect to ever get it 100% right.

Tell us a little about your journey to becoming a teacher.....
 

I was the subject lead in a federation (4 schools) of primary as an unqualified teacher for 10 years, I wanted to expand my knowledge and progress in doing what I love. After working with pupils in ks1/ks2 for so many years, I wanted to challenge myself working with pupils in ks3/ks4/ks5, and the next step was to gain my qualification.

Why did you select Astra as your training provider?

Astra's strong reputation speaks for itself; they have an excellent pass rate and a vast range of schools, which was an important aspect when I was making my decision.
 

What have been the highlights of your training?

I have been lucky to be placed with two great mentors and teams who have been extremely supportive throughout both my placement schools. I have also had the pleasure of working in some amazing sports facilities.
 

What have been the challenges?

Juggling all the different elements of the course such as lesson plans and reflections, observations, teaching, QTS assignments and PGCE assignments - it can be intense at times. 

Top advice for anyone considering teaching:

Be organised and apply as soon as you can, especially if you need to redo some GCSEs, which will give you time to do any necessary revision. During the course, try to follow the weekly plan advised by Astra. It is an essential guide to staying on top of your studies.