Francisco

How has your ECT experience been so far?

It has been great. We get a lot of support from the teachers responsible for the ECTs, they are genuinely in your corner and they have your back. The CPD we get both internally and externally is really good and we learn a lot. If you have done a PGCE, some stuff you may have already done but you get a different perspective which is always good to refresh your ideas. Everyone has been really supportive. 

What have been the highlights of your ECT journey?

I think a highlight is seeing the improvements in my teaching and having the space to develop my teaching personality and style. You have the freedom to be yourself, try things out and see what works. I think my proudest moment has been when I had a student come to me about some stuff that was going on personally, I haven’t been here long so the fact that I was the teacher they chose to disclose things to showed that we were establishing a good relationship and trust.

What would you say to someone considering an ECT role at the Harris Federation?

At Willesden specifically, everyone cares. There is a big focus on getting students to develop, I haven’t met anyone who does their job halfway. We're based in Brent and it is a tough borough, it is very diverse, and there are kids from all sorts of backgrounds and kids that really need help from schools. So if you want to make a difference, I think this is a great place to be because if you come with your heart in the right place everything here is in place to help you make that difference. 

What are your favourite things about working at Harris Lowe Academy Willesden?

The support that we get from our ECT coordinators and everyone, all the teachers are cool, and the kids are cool. I am a Music Teacher and we put on rehearsals at lunch and after school so you get kids that are really interested. Especially as an ECT, the support is great and very helpful.  

What do you love about being a Music Teacher?

Everything! I get to teach the thing that I love most in the world (music) to a lot of kids. I have been playing music for longer than most of my students have been alive, and you always want to feel as though you are making a difference, you want to feel ‘I am playing music, I am doing art’, but what am I actually contributing? For the first time, I actually feel that I am having a positive impact on the world around me and it isn’t just craft.