Dedication in December – Building Relationships
I was inspired to begin Teaching because I wanted to be part of shaping futures in a positive way …
Education has the power to open doors, build confidence, and change lives. Knowing that I could play even a small role in that process is what drew me to the profession. My hope is that I can create an environment where my students feel safe, supported and motivated to reach their full potential.
When I started to mention to friends and family that I was going into secondary teaching, a lot of them pulled a worried face or seemed concerned due to ‘what teenagers are like nowadays’ but my instinct was to think back to being a teenager myself and how misunderstood I always felt.
ANTICIPATION BEFORE THE COURSE
The teachers who always took the time to get to know me were the teachers of the lessons I looked forward to the most. This shaped my attitude prior to starting my placement that I would make the effort to get to know all my students as much as I could, in the short space of time we have, hoping that by doing that, they would feel like I always had their best interests at the forefront of my teaching
I knew this would be challenging and that trust wouldn’t happen instantly but by being fair, reliable and truly invested in their success, solid relationships could be built.
RELATIONSHIP SUCCESS
I’ve made some wonderful relationships with both students and colleagues so far. I love walking through a corridor and hearing ‘Hi Miss!’ when a student passes you, or when they come into your classroom and start chatting to you about their day. I believe the most impactful tool I’ve displayed is that of simply listening. Whether it’s a student sharing a worry or a colleague suggesting an idea to help me improve my teaching, I’ve found truly pausing to listen and thoughtfully respond helps people feel valued. Also, simple things such as greeting students at the door, knowing their names, acknowledging when they are making effort and celebrating successes – all go a long way.
SUCCESS WITH BLUECOAT SCITT ALLIANCE
BSA has created a culture that prioritises communication, with a mentoring structure providing regular feedback and countless opportunities to observe and learn from experienced staff. To add to this, the training environment and SCITT community has a welcoming and supportive 
atmosphere which has been present from Day One and the SCITT staff show genuine care towards our wellbeing, ensuring that any concerns are talked through and solutions are reached collaboratively.
My SCITT trainee peers are equally wonderful and knowing there are people on the same journey as me and who I can talk openly to about my experiences, both the highs and the lows, is priceless!
My advice for anyone thinking of training with Bluecoat SCITT Alliance
…Throw yourself into it. Get involved in as much as you can, get a real feel for the environment and school life and most importantly don’t be afraid to make mistakes! You’re never going to get everything right first time, and that is OK. Just do your best!
Written by Vicki Leigh – Maths Trainee 2025/2026