Postscript - Where did it all start?

I was sorting through stuff in a box and found this. I thought it got lost in the move but was very happy to find it.

It's a countdown of the 700 days from August 1st 2007 to the date Mrs N and I  agreed I could leave work - June 30th 2009. It was a long time to wait but I kept that sheet of paper with me wherever I went. It preserved my sanity on many occasions, starting on day 699 with a nightmare call about advertising to DKE from the parking lot at San Francisco airport at the end of our summer holiday in Yosemite.

Here it is for posterity.

Epilogue - Qualified Teacher Status

June 16th 2010.

Today I qualified as a teacher. I was observed teaching and then had a one hour interview with the observer about my portfolio of evidence. He finished by saying he would recommend me for qualified status. That was it. A bit of an anti-climax after everything but I am so relieved.

I am pretty worn out by the relentless observation and feedback so it is nice to get this part done. Now the real work starts.

Day 365 - 365 Day Makeover

365 days since I left Diageo to start my new adventure with a wife, three children and a cat in tow.

365 days since I handed in my Blackberry, my lap top and waved good bye to a career that took me from humble beginnings in an E reg Vauxhall Cavalier, cruising the streets of East London to an office all to myself on 5th Avenue.

My aim was to record my transformation from corporate executive to maths teacher. I have certainly lived the transformation. I am not sure that I have captured it in writing but my personal journey has certainly taken an interesting fork in the road. Who knows where it will ultimately take me? Isn't that the whole point?

Friday April 16th 2010

Day 364 - The Talent Myth

Just read a book called Bounce by Matthew Syed. Its central point is that excellence in sport or indeed any field of endeavour is not a question of inherent talent, but a question of practice, hard work, self belief, mental toughness, support and a little bit of luck.

It makes you think about what is possible rather than what most of us do when we stop (or don't even start) trying - that we can't get better at what we do because we lack talent. I see it every day in the classroom when kids start off saying that they are no good at maths and so set themselves on the path to underachievement. I saw it every day at Diageo when we gave up on a product, campaign or person before we had put any real effort or time into making it work. I include myself in that group as I have never worked that hard at anything.

The suggestion is 10,000 hours or 10 years. It's interesting that my finest career moment in marketing was working on Johnnie Walker from 1999 to 2004, 10 years after I started work. Watch out education, 10 years from now.

My half marathon time has dropped from 1 hour 45 in 2003 to 1 hr 26 this year. 19 minutes improvement, completely down to training. Now I'm thinking, how quick could I run?

Day 363 - Do I Love It?

That's the (literally) six figure question - do I love teaching? The question behind the question is 'was it worth giving up your career, your life, your SALARY for?'.

The answer to that specific question is that I don't know...yet. However, it's the wrong question. The right question is 'do I love my new life?'. The emphatic answer to that question is yes, with bells on it.

The fundamental reason for doing this whole thing was to change the balance of my life so that I could enjoy it more. Making the dramatic break from corporate life gave me back the freedom to choose, a freedom I seem to have lost on a career journey that took me from Brentford to New York in 20 memorable years. The word I have heard most often in those late night, deep conversations with friends and colleagues, is what they can't do because of their job. They can't spend time with their kids, they can't get fit, they can't sit still and contemplate their navel for 20 minutes, they can't do what they really want to do.

I can. The reality is that I could have done it before but did not have the strength of character or energy to take control. I choose to teach, I choose to be at home when Ellen rants and raves, I choose to run fast, I choose to sit in an armchair and do nothing.

I love the freedom to choose. That includes choosing a new career that I have always wanted to try.

Day 362 - Daddy, Are We Poor?

Not that my children are particularly materialistic but they have asked this question on a number of occasions.

Let's examine the facts. We live in a fabulous house in one of the most desirable areas in one of the most desirable towns in England that has outstanding state schools. We have zero debt. In the past 12 months, Ellen has been on school trips to Poland and Germany, Ted has been to the Battlefields, both Ted and Alice have played club football home and away, we have been on a two week holiday to France and there is hot food on the table every night.

I took a 96% pay cut to start a new career in teaching, not including the free booze and boon doggles so there is no question that we have all felt the loss of disposable income. Cutting back has been easy and it's amazing how little you can actually live on if you are careful, thoughtful and have Mrs N running the books. We delineate clearly between living expenses  and 'capital' spend so that we live on what we earn while being able to splash out on the big items using our savings if we need to. I even persuaded Mrs N to let me buy a new bike this year.

On the income side, Mrs N has gone out to work 3 days a week, I am picking up £25 an hour from maths tutoring 2 or 3 times a week, Ellen is baby sitting and Ted has a paper round. We claim everything we can, adding up to a healthy income from tax credits and child benefit. There is something very real and satisfying about doing an hour's work and receiving £25 in cash at the end of it.

In 2027 I am entitled to a Diageo pension worth the same as I earn now, with various other pension pots maturing in subsequent years (subject to the whole thing not melting down in the meantime).

Do we have a significantly altered lifestyle from 2 years ago? Yes. Are we poor? No. Am I happy? Oh Yes. Is this just about me? Absolutely

Day 361 - Self Discipline

Lack thereof will surely lead to my downfall...

Teaching is alot about self discipline so far. The discipline to plan each lesson ahead of time, the discipline to mark 30 books with lucid comments, the discipline to write 60 reports over a weekend, the discipline to give up some of your holiday to look at the curriculum and think through a half term of lessons across 5 or more different classes ahead of time, the discipline to ask other teachers for advice and sift through the mountains of resources available to help, the discipline not to show your emotion when confronted with rudeness, laziness, indifference, stupidity or all of the above!

I've never been that disciplined. I am completely capable of being organised and would never have been successful as a marketer without it but I preferred to exercise the right to be spontaneous, unplanned and doing the minimum necessary to get by - winging it. As I climbed the ranks at Diageo it became easier to do so, placing the burden on those around me to compensate. I can't do that anymore and it's stretching me way beyond my comfort zone, which is GOOD.

The trouble is, I'm not sure how long I can keep it up. I know it's the right thing to do and as a result I am better prepared and deliver a better lesson. Winging it was always my thing and it's very tempting, especially when I look at my more experienced colleagues who jot a couple of key points in their diary and off they go. The good thing is that I've tried it a couple of times and it's gone horribly wrong. The other good thing is that I know the right thing to do and will keep striving to do the right thing. Maybe in 10 years I can start winging it again.

Day 360 - Stress

I have come across many references to teacher stress in the last year but what kind of stress have I personally experienced and how does it compare to corporate stress?

Picking up a completely new career at the age of 41 which involves a massive pay cut and moving countries has certainly been stressful but on the whole it has been 'good' stress. This is something I have chosen to do and having done so, I have greeted the majority of challenges head on rather than resisted them being imposed on me. That makes a big difference.

I have certainly not experienced this level of physical fatigue over such an extended period. When you are in the classroom teaching, there is no 'out' clause that allows you to disappear into the staff room and recharge. As such, 7 weeks of constant teaching is much like presenting marketing plans 3 or 4 times a day, 5 days a week...with an audience that isn't paid to be there! I have certainly had periods of fatigue before, many induced by too many long distance flights and alcohol enhanced late nights, but never for more than 1 or 2 weeks and always with the get out clause of spending a day in my office with the door closed.

The bigger, most appreciated difference is that I have not had to deal with any build up of the mental (and emotional) stress that I had to wrestle with in the past 10 years. Most of it was self-induced but the level at which I was operating meant that there was no escape from it day to day, year to year. It started when we moved to Amsterdam and never really left until I walked away. There were moments that I would prefer to forget, like sitting alone in a hotel room in New York the day before a planning meeting, crumbling under the responsibility I had been given (and asked for).

The pressures are very transient in teaching. I certainly get worked up before each lesson and if I fail to plan the night before a 5 lesson day, I have been known to wake up in a cold sweat. However, the minute the bell goes, the stress disappears. If I have a good lesson, it feels great and I believe I can be a great teacher. If I have a bad lesson, I try and make it better the next time without agonising over it...the most I will teach one class is 3 hours a week, so how much damage can I be doing with the odd stinker?!

Day 359 - Completer Finisher

I remember doing one of those psychometric tests when I first started work back in 1989. I have done loads since but I have a very vivid memory of the first one. I cannot remember what it was called but it was all about how you worked on a team. There were 6 or so profiles and I came out as a strong Shaper and weak Completer Finisher - perfect leadership profile for my future career! Unfortunately the latter weakness has ultimately resulted in me failing to finish this blog 6 days short of the full 365. Unbelievable.

One of the other profiles was 'Plant'. I've always wanted to be a plant. In this context, a plant sits in a team meeting, looking highly dishevelled, completely disorganised and not really listening. Every now and then, they look up and everyone listens to the pearl of wisdom that pops out. His inability to function otherwise is indulged and overlooked.

Day 358 - Preying On Their Fears

So, I am off the day by day (as it's September) but have a few remaining topics to blog on

I have discovered that many parents share a common fear - their child isn't very good at maths and needs a tutor. From my limited experience, alot of this may be to do with the parent's personal fear of maths but what the hell, there's a goldmine here!

I may have low balled it to start with (£15 and hour), but am gradually getting my fees up to a level that could mean a lucrative top up to my vast salary. I would rather not think about the difference in hour rates between marketing consultancy and maths tutoring but at least it's cash in hand.

The impact you can have on an individual is remarkable. I noticed straightaway with my first client (can I call him that?) that he wasn't writing anything down at all. He tried to do everything in his head and, as the maths got harder, he couldn't cope with the complexity. I taught him to simply get his pen out and write stuff down!

Over the summer I concocted a little algebra intensive for three clients and all three have gone from that haunted look when the word 'algebra' is mentioned to actually enjoying the challenge of solving equations with brackets. Well, enjoyment may be too strong a word!

I now have BIG PLANS. I will definitely build up my client base to try and bring in some decent cash over the year but I have a kernel of an idea to set up some kind of summer school - one week of fun maths in the real world. More to follow on that.

Day 357 - Taking It Too Seriously

Thursday April 8th

As you can see, I lost the plot on this blog with a mere 9 days to go. Typical. I have never been a completer finisher.

It is now actually Friday September 3rd, a paltry 5 months after April 8th so the chances of recording what actually happened and what I was thinking on the day in question are minimal. As my previous entry suggests, the Easter break was a key moment on my journey. I had my assignment to do and for the first real time, it felt like really hard work. There is no doubt that I have taken on a big challenge but for the most part, it has taken a bit of courage, an open mind and the resolve to enjoy the experience, whatever is thrown at me.

I think the assignment was a  turning point - the transition from an experience that I was enjoying in the moment to a career that I have chosen for the next x years. This has made me feel a little uncomfortable as it has been more enjoyable and easier to play the role of career switcher and 'isn't he brave giving all of that up to do this.'

I hope it doesn't mean I've started to take the whole thing too seriously....I really want to experience teaching for what it is, in the moment, in the classroom. I did take everything too seriously before and that affected my quality of life. We will see.

Day 356 - Three Days From Hell

Wednesday April 7th

Three days when the shiny new life lost its lustre and I got a little pissed off with the whole GTP thing.

Nothing major - I have managed to leave my career, move my family back to the UK, buy a house, get settled and tackle pretty much everything in front of me without faltering. My potential nemesis was the dreaded GTP assignment - 4000 paltry words on a subject of my choice with a 6 month deadline. How hard can that be?

It very nearly did for me as, amazingly, I left it until the week of the deadline. It played to all my weaknesses - preparation, in depth research, time management, and I tried to cram it all into 3 days of my holiday which built up a huge level of resentment in me, Mrs N, the kids and probably the cat. I was irritable, irrational, self-pitying for 3 days...all for 4000 words.

I chose to write about internal school websites and the role they can play in enhancing independent learning. It is actually an interesting subject...for a casual read and debate over a pint. The reality is that I haven't done anything like this since university. As I quipped to my mentor, I would get my PA or team to write anything like this in my old life!

I got it done in the end (I was counting every word in the bottom right hand corner) but it was definitely not my finest moment and the resentment still burns deep inside - resentment that I had to do it at all (isn't it hard enough to be thrown in teaching from Day 1?), resentment that I gave up half my holiday worrying about it and 3 days writing it) and resentment that it was so bad.

Day 355 - Resignation Notes....

Tuesday April 6th

I was just clearing through some old papers and found the notes I used to tell my boss I was leaving.....I still can't quite believe I actually planned this whole thing in meticulous detail and it has (so far) gone pretty much according to plan. (All Mrs. N's idea...my idea was to dramatically walk out after a good old rant and rave.)

1. Leaving Diageo marketing to pursue career in teaching.
2. Moving family back to the UK.
3. Very proud of my 15 years at Diageo and the opportunities afforded to me.

• Intention is to work through to June 30th and give Diageo as much time as possible to appoint my replacement
• Absolute intention is to be fully committed to performance however understand if you want to move quicker and happy to discuss
• This is a big move for me and financially is a big change. Given that, I would like to discuss any options to help with family security - deferred comp (bonus bank) what I've earned; moving back
• If there are any plans between now and June 30th for restructuring, to be part of that in the knowledge that it may protect another individual who truly wants to remain here.
• Communication - up to you but given how much needs to be planned schools/house/career prefer to be upfront v. leaking

Day 354 - Cherry Coke

Monday April 5th

Easter Monday so had the family down for lunch - Mum, Dad, Charles and Suzan. We cooked a big ham in Cherry Coke which was delicious. My sophisticated palate picked up the artifical colour and sweetener but that's just being picky.

Weather was good so we went for a long walk up and over St Catherine's Hill. It felt good to stand at the top of the hill looking out over Winchester, sharing our good fortune and health with family

Day 353 - Metamorphosis Almost Complete

Sunday April 4th

Easter Sunday and we did not manage an Easter Egg hunt or a visit to church. Instead I went for a run and watched Match of the Day. We did a monster roast lunch and then Shaggy headed off back home.

A chance to catch my breath and reflect a little on the journey I have been on. Two weeks from now and I will have completed the year and finished this blog. I have no idea how many words I have written but I've enjoyed it. It hasn't been as "live" as I would like. I am currently two weeks behind and so I lose a little of the spontaneity.

When I read the whole thing through again, it will probably read more as a diary of what has happened, rather than the original intention, vague as it was, to provide a living metamorphosis from marketer to teacher. I suppose the change isn't as profound as I thought it might be, given it was a change in what I do, not who I am.

Day 352 - Shaggy Stays

Saturday April 3rd

Once again we have overbooked on the visitors. It's a nice change from New York when they were few and far between. All change as Shaggy arrives and we head down to the pub to watch the football and then have a walk around the city. He's coaching at Northampton Town and is trying to set up on his own. I hope he is successful. He deserves to be. He sat with the kids for ages, playing board games. They won't do that for us!

I have become a regular at Sweet Treat, old-fashioned purveyor of Sherbet Lemons and Pear Drops. They rot the teeth but taste so good. The owner is a young entrepreneur and we have a good chat about his business and marketing. He will go far. www.thesweettreatcompany.co.uk

Day 351 - Term 2. Tick

Friday April 2nd

Good Friday and I have made it through another term with snow, CRB issues, 2nd placement and 200 odd lessons done. Now I need to relax for a few days and then get my paperwork in order, write a bunch of lesson plans and write a 4,000 word assignment on a pedagogical issue by April 19th. I can't even pronounce it right.

The Thrumbles come down for a stay so we head out for one of many guided tours of the city. I really do appreciate how lucky we have been to find Winchester whenever we show our visitors around. Walk in, walk around, walk home.....it's all here.

Day 350 - Reserved For Runners

Thursday April 1st

INSET day which means teachers and no children. I spent most of the day in meetings or cajoling my very very lazy Year 11 mentee to finish his coursework. I have been sporadically mentoring him since October and obviously haven't done a very good job because he is now down to 3 predicted A*- C grades in his GCSEs, which means he won't be going to College.

He's a boarder from Hong Kong and struggles with his written English, which means he is going to find his exams very hard. Unfortunately, he seems to have left everything too late and is now in a state of denial, believing he is going to get 5 Cs when he clearly isn't, unless he does something extraordinary between now and June. I have tried to talk to him about it but he is very reluctant to take responsibility.

Excellent club night tonight - tough threshold runs around the cathedral followed by dinner and a couple of pints with everyone at the pub. I was the first to arrive and in front of me was a large sign on a table saying "Reserved for Runners". That's me!

Day 349 - Maths Games

Wednesday March 31st

Last day of school and everyone is in a good mood. it feels good to be back and everyone in the staff room treats me like an old hand, which I like.

Teaching was very relaxed. I made an effort to plan a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire style quiz last night and it worked really well with 8.1.3. With 8.2.4, I was a little concerned about keeping them occupied but ended up spending the whole lesson on Maths Bingo. It was meant to be a starter but they really enjoyed it so stretched it out for 65 minutes.

Parent briefing for the Ardeche trip tonight. I signed up to chaperone a Year 10 trip next term which looks like it could be a blast. The only downsides are the 17 hour coach ride to get there and the small fact that Mrs N is now working and there will be no-one to look after the children over half-term. Whoops.

Day 348 - Room To Swing A Cat

Tuesday March 30th

I spent this morning at Alice's school, St Faith's Primary. I sat in with their Year 6 class to get a feel for how Maths is taught in Key Stage 2 - the year before they come to Kings'.

It's such a tiny school with no more than 20 in the class with loads of room to work with. That's one of my big issues with Kings', the size of the classrooms. It really feels like you are hemmed in between the teacher's desk, the whiteboard and all the computer wires. I am very prone to trip over something at least once.

The teacher did some very good differentiation for the class. Given the whole of Year 6 are together, there must be a wide range of ability and therefore differentiated work is more critical. It was a good learning for me, an area I am not brilliant at.

Day 347 - Welcome Back

Monday March 29th

Back to Kings' today and what a very nice welcome it was to. It seems that a few people have missed me and that put a spring in my step. No lessons today so I spent the day observing BCS (Business and Communication Studies) and meeting with Frances to hand over my classes.

I kept out of her way as much as I could but I was itching to see everyone, especially my tutor group. They were running the Hot Chocolate Cafe in Andrea's room which was nice to see.

I was a little concerned that my teaching was a little pedestrian before I left but, judging by the response I have had since I got back, I shouldn't have worried. Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Day 346 - Two Working Parents

Sunday March 28th

A rare day of rest and recuperation with nothing very much on. Mrs N is still recovering from her run and I have no lessons to plan for tomorrow as Frances is doing one more day.

Mrs N has started work to try and supplement my meagre wages. Everything changes again as we have to plan for her working four days a week. I am not particularly looking forward to it as it means being more planned out so someone is here for Alice when she gets home. Mrs N is nervous as it's the first time she's headed out to an office job for over 10 years.

It was always part of the plan but it will be interesting to see what the net impact will be on our income as we will undoubtedly give up some of the tax credits we have. The unquantifiable cost is quality of life to all of us with two working parents.

Day 345 - Super Sub

Saturday March 27th

Busy day today as Mrs N goes off and runs a very muddy and hilly 10k while Ted and I go up to Basingstoke and his team wins the U13 Hampshire Cup Final. The only down side to the whole thing is that he only gets on for 5 minutes at the end. A medal is a medal.

Mum and Dad are home from South Africa so we go out for a splendid meal at Brasserie Blanc to celebrate my birthday. There is much to catch up on.

Day 344 - Well'ard

Friday March 26th

Really enjoyed University day. We did lots of algebra and graphs. We are an eclectic bunch and have got on well with each other since we started, albeit limited to the days we are together. I'm not sure anyone has enough time for socialising outside of organised days.

Tonight was St Faith's Quiz Night and the mighty Jordan's Eyelashes swept the board. We had a very strong team but my personal triumph was naming Robbie's dog from Eastenders. No idea where it came from but it made up for my mistake on the World Cup question.

Day 343 - Educational Gambling

Thursday March 25th

My last day at More House and I am very sad. Very little in the way of teaching today. My Year 8s are very content to potter around the class room, drawing, reading and chatting. I teach my Year 9s to play Blackjack, using my Johnnie Walker poker chips and then my Year 7s play Uno and watch their friends playing in a rugby tournament.

Highlight of the day must be my Year 9s, all of whom dislike each other, sitting around me at a desk, playing cards and not wanting to go to lunch as they want to keep playing. Priceless

In the blink of an eye, my placement is over and after a farewell pint with my mentor and Head of Maths, I head home and reflect on a fantastic experience.

Day 342 - Killer Smarties

Wednesday March 24th

Final observation today and then it's all downhill. The boys are getting end of term fever so I decide to do a functional maths activity with my Year 8 class. This involves doing loads of different Maths around a tube of Smarties. They then get to eat the Smarties. It's bribery of the most heinous kind.

Everything is going brilliantly until the observing teacher asks whether I have checked with the nurse on allergies. I have not and on checking it turns out that 3 of them cannot handle or eat Smarties.

"So, Richard, how did your final observation at More House go?"
"Well....I was really pleased with the plan as it focused on building functional maths skills and included some excellent visual and kinaesthetic activity."
"Sounds great. How did the class enjoy it? Did they demonstrate any progress?"
"Well.....they really enjoyed it until three of them went into anaphylactic shock. Fortunately two of them had Epipens but we lost the other on the way to hospital"
"So you'll be resuming a career in Marketing then....."

All of them regularly ate Smarties at home so were utterly confused but we had to adjust the activity. Point taken on needing to check on this kind of thing but it's a little "world gone mad". Didn't seem to affect the observation as I got a Very Good!

Day 341 - Mud Glorious Mud

Tuesday March 23rd

Observation number 4 with the Head of Maths. It turns out that he played hockey with Jon Potter, my old boss at Diageo. This is now the 3rd connection I have with Jon through people I have met on my return to the UK. It shouldn't be Kevin Bacon, it should be Jon Potter...or maybe it should be me!

Observation goes really well (Tarsia genius again!) although the lesson is curtailed by a late assembly. Once again I get kudos for dealing with disruption and adapting on the fly without panicking. Little does anyone know that I was paid thousands to do exactly that in  my old life. I made a career of it. the only difference now is that I don't get paid thousands for it.

The afternoon is spent face down in glutinous mud in borrowed clothes as I join Year 9 and the Royal Marines on their Rewards afternoon. They organise this every term for those boys that accrue enough credits. I'm not sure how much of a reward this was as everyone got very very muddy but they all joined in and seemed to enjoy themselves. I will miss this lot.

My brother's pristine BMW gets caked in mud on the way home. Oops

Day 340 - Low Maintenance Trainee

Monday March 22nd

More House are interviewing for Maths teachers today so two of my classes were requisitioned for them to teach. This meant I went from 4 to two lessons and a very relaxed Monday indeed. In addition, they have changed the Year 10 sets so I have one lesson with a new set and then that's it. Everyone is apologising for disrupting my placement and not being available to support me. The lazy me is smiling inwardly as that's two lessons I don't have to teach, the dedicated me is taking the bonus time to plan the best lessons possible for my final two observations this week.

Being low maintenance has its distinct advantages...I wonder how much they would pay me to stay on?

I attempt a very different lesson with Year 8 today as we have finished a topic. I read a chapter about prime numbers from The Number Devil and then ask them to find all the primes up to 100 and complete a puzzle. They are intrigued for about 10 minutes as I have removed the desks and just have a circle of chairs. They soon lose interest. Note to self!

Day 339 - Benign Pace

Sunday March 21st

Very relaxed day as Ellen was off on her D of E walk all day. Went for a run and then gathered myself for my final week at More House. I will be sad to go and would have no problem staying on there for a few weeks.

The pace seems to be more benign there. Maybe it's because I'm only there for a short time. Maybe it's because I don't have the A Level classes and tutor group. On reflection, I think it's the size of the school - the sheer numbers at Kings' mean that you are constantly on the go, there's a frenetic energy to the place that picks you up and spins you around from 8.30 to 3.30 every day. The boys at More House may have more need for individual attention but it's manageable because you can take the time and space to plan and reflect.

Day 338 - Welsh Castles

Saturday March 20th

I have entered the Welsh Castles Relay and am currently reserve number 2 for a 22 man team. It looks like a fitting sequel to Ragnar with 22 legs from Caernavon to Cardiff over a June weekend. All the legs are about half marathon distance but you only run one leg each. We will be camping over on Saturday night, the day of the England v USA World Cup game.

I have also signed up to run a 10k at Epsom College on April 25th. This will be the first time I've been back in a long while but seems like an appropriate occasion to go. Looks like it will be a family occasion as Charles and Dad are coming along

Day 337 - Non-Contact

Friday March 19th

Flexi Friday so probably my second favourite day of the week. The Maths dept. were not involved so I had the whole day to mark, plan, reflect and day dream.

Other teachers describe this as a 'non-contact' day. An interesting phrase that makes me think of prisons or highly contagious diseases. I did actually see some children during the day but made sure not to come into contact with them in any way.

Day 336 - Mr Nichols 1, Year 9 1

Thursday March 18th

And so it came to pass that I tamed the mighty Year 9. I took them out of the class room and down on to the rugby pitches. We were learning about time distance graphs so I got them to record their very own journey of walking, running, standing still etc. and then back to record it all on a graph.

The naughtiest boy of all decided he wanted to partner me and he was good as gold the whole lesson. Everyone else followed his lead and the time flew by. They actually learnt something. It felt a little chaotic and out of control at times but as all the theory states - we are all more likely to remember things if we are learning by doing as opposed to reading or listening. We are definitely more likely to remember if we are enjoying ourselves. I know I was.

Did I mention this was one of my formal observations? Thought so.

Day 335 - Tarsia Genius

Wednesday March 17th


This time last year I was on a spectacular St Patrick's Day bender, I mean quality audit, in Manhattan with the out going DGUSA Exec team. This year I didn't even manage a pint.


Terrific observation today with Year 8. I am being observed by the same teacher across the same lesson each week so the trick here is to show progress by addressing the targets she set me last week. Today we did a Tarsia puzzle that is in the form of dominoes - they have to match the unsimplified algebraic expression to the simplified one. They did it brilliantly and make me look like a genius. 

These Tarsia puzzles are brilliant. You download some software that loads up a range of templates for matching anything. You input the content and the software mixes it all up and churns out a printable output that the kids cut up, match and then make posters to put up on the wall. These can last a whole lesson or just 10 mins at the beginning or end.

Day 334 - Mr Nichols 0, Year 9 1

Tuesday March 16th

Tuesday is my favourite day here as I teach one class at 9am and then have nothing until 2pm. This makes for a relaxed Monday night at home as I can reel off on lesson plan and then leave the other two until I get to school.

This morning Year 7 had a quick topic test and they all got 70% or more. This tells me that either I am a brilliant teacher or that the work is too easy for them......

I think I am losing Year 9 as I can't think of anything to get them whooping with excitement about graphs. Maybe I am attempting the impossible but all I have is a whiteboard, some books and a desk top PC. I got them to simulate a "live" set of axes and then use string to "draw" some straight line graphs, thereby attempting to use a more visual and kinaesthetic approach to my teaching. This failed spectacularly as I couldn't get any of them to focus on the task.

If you are dyslexic then the last thing you want to do is draw axes and straight lines and that's precisely what I asked them to do. Hooray for tried and tested methods of teaching

Day 333 - Whimpers And Vexation

Monday March 15th

Week 2 of my second placement and I felt ready for it. I enjoyed my little morning drive up there and as I get to know more of the children and staff, it feels like a welcoming place to come to every day.

Used football with Year 7 today. They did paired activity, calculating goal difference for the last 6 seasons, finishing with a calculation to add extra points for superior goal difference. The intention was to show changes in each of the tables when the new points were added up. Unfortunately it didn't make any difference and so the lesson ended with a whimper, not a bang.

Year 9 continue to vex me. They are badly behaved but it's not that. I have tried a few different things to get them engaged but nothing is working (so far). Today, I tried mobile phone plans and reading straight line graphs to judge the best plans. Nothing.

Day 332 - Am I Lazy?

Sunday March 14th

I think I probably am.

I do actively seek out avoidance strategies where possible.
I do leave things to the last minute and then cut corners to get things done on time.
I do cheer inside if a meeting gets cancelled or, nowadays, if a lesson observation gets cancelled.
I do sink into an indolent trance over the weekend unless someone (usually Mrs N) kicks me and gives me a list of things for me to do.

I'm saying all this because I have a sneaky suspicion I could be doing more to be a better teacher  - more research, more questioning of other teachers, more preparation.

On the other hand, I could just have very high expectations of myself and never quite meet them. Yes, that's it. I'm not lazy, I'm deluded.

Day 331 - Flair

Saturday March 13th

Having negotiated my first week at More House, I was determined to add a little flair to my lessons next week. Not quite in the same league as flair bar tending but it still requires some effort to go beyond 'chalk and talk'. What makes it more difficult at More House is that my classroom does not have an Interactive Whiteboard or even a projector so I have to rely on other physical or visual props. I have a few things lined up for next week.

Took Ted to see Southampton v Leeds today on the bus. He is now a Junior Saint and, while this will never replace Liverpool for him, it means we can go and see a few games a season without costing a fortune. 1-0 victory in a great little stadium. Last time I saw Leeds was at Elland Road in about 95, playing Newcastle in the Premier League. How they have fallen.

Day 330 - I Got a Job

Friday March 12th

Interview at Kings' today - quite a grilling from Head of Dept, Assistant Head and Governor. However prepared, experienced and good you are at interviewing, to be sat in a chair 12 inches from three people asking you questions is quite challenging.

There is obviously a set list of questions for Hampshire schools as I got many of the same as my interview at Perins. I thought I did well and they seemed to like my answers which was confirmed when THEY OFFERED ME A PERMANENT JOB. This has been a critical goal since I started on this journey almost two years ago (well, there's a surprise). The big bonus is that it's a Maths and Business Studies job which I hadn't planned for but karma is a wonderful thing

Drove up to More House for the rest of the day where I had no lessons to teach or, as the staff call it, a "no contact" day. Sounds like we are in a combat zone. Hmmmmm

Day 329 - 14 Lessons In 4 Days

Thursday March 12th

I was mightily relieved to get through my first week of teaching and discovered some necessary survival short cuts along the way. I have taught 14 lessons in 4 days. I normally teach 12 in 5. I haven't felt as rushed as I do at Kings' and being more pragmatic in my lesson planning has helped - beginning, middle and end is what I need.

I haven't been as adventurous as I would like nor has everything worked but would definitely give myself a B for week 1. I need to take a few more risks next week as there's no point being safe with the short time I have. I have adapted remarkably quickly given that I was thrown in the deep end. Self congratulatory pat on the back.

They have now asked about 5 times if I want a job there. It is tempting as I could see myself enjoying it but the travel would be onerous and I suspect, given it is a boarding school, I would get sucked more into life after the school day ends than I or Mrs N would want.

Day 328 - Reality Gaps

Wednesday March 10th

Another big day and 4 lessons. I had my first formal observation with Year 8s and thought it went reasonably well. This was followed by Year 9. I had resolved to lay the law down with them and it worked  up to a point - they did some work.

I made it through my four lessons and then sat down for my feedback. The language my mentor used suggested that I hadn't done very well and my heart sank - there is nothing worse than a gap between your and someone else's reality. Fortunately, it turned out to be her turn of phrase - she ended up rating me good to very good with some really sound tips on how to improve. Same time next week then.

Day 327 - Personalised Attention

Tuesday March 9th

Yesterday took more out of me than I realised as I felt very tired today. Fortunately, I had one early lesson and then a nice stretch through to 2pm without teaching. This gave me a chance to sit and re-group.

Each year group gets one Maths lesson a day Monday to Thursday. This makes it easy to plan from a progression point of view. However, I can already tell that this lot are going to have Maths overload by Thursday.

They all have different learning difficulties but the common traits seem to be a lack of self-confidence, low self control and a need for constant attention. It is no wonder that they have all failed in mainstream schooling and need the personalised attention that a school like More House offers.

Day 326 - Baptism Of Fire

Monday March 8th

First day at More House and it was a baptism of fire - 4 lessons straight off completely solo. Given that all the boys have some kind of learning difficulty this was both brave and foolish. Having only 8-10 boys in the class make a huge difference and I was so much more relaxed than at Kings' - more time to think on my feet without questions firing in from all directions.

My lesson plans are much simpler - hand written with a start, main and plenary. I am based out of one classroom so I don't have to lug a plastic box and my lap top around with me. No IWB so I had to use basic resources rather than trying to juggle lots of different things.

Looking back, it was a good first day. I survived. No-one threw a chair at me.

Day 325 - Should Be A Breeze

Sunday March 7th

Tomorrow I start at More House School. I have to teach 4 lessons to classes I don't know on subjects I haven't planned. Should be a breeze. I had a very relaxing day and then drove up to Horsley to pick up Charles' car. I then sat with Frances for an hour, swapping lives.

It hit me at about 8pm and then I panicked.

Day 324 - Must Try Harder

Saturday March 6th

I spent all day writing Year 10 reports. The good news is that I got them done in one day which beats my earlier attempt with Year 8. The bad news is that they took me all day....all day. well, all day with frequent breaks for food and sport.

Ellen had 15 close personal friends over to celebrate the end of their exams. It looked a little dicey early on but settled down nicely to normal teenage behaviour by about midnight.

Day 323 - Double Double

Friday March 5th

Last day at Kings' for 3 weeks and I decided to go for the easy option - 2 formal observations after lunch.

I honestly thought I had botched both of them but my observers thought otherwise and both gave me good to very good performance rating as well as some very good feedback. What a great way to finish off the week. I have high standards so was harder on myself than I should have been. The best comment made was that I was challenging my classes to think for themselves and stretch their understanding beyond what they thought was possible. Brilliant!

I popped back in to get some files for next week and had a long chat about my legal obligation as a teacher. This came about because I had heard some discussion of a nasty situation while out of school. Apparently, if I think a child at the school is at risk then I have a duty to report it to the school Child Protection team. This potentially compromises my role as a father given I have two kids at Kings', both of whom have friends who are in and out of our house. Tricky stuff and hope I never have to make the choice!

Day 322 - A Midstream Switch to Teaching

Mike Hogan sent me this NYT article. Well written and very similar to my own experience so far....

A Midstream Switch to Teaching

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By PETER WILSON, As told to PATRICIA R. OLSEN

Published: February 20, 2010

ALMOST three years ago, I started teaching seventh-grade English. Before that, I was an account manager in public relations in the Boston area.

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Rick Friedman for The New York Times

Peter Wilson, 38, who previously worked in public relations, now teaches English in a middle school.

When people switch from business to teaching, they usually talk about the huge pay cut, then say how rewarding they find their new career. I agree. But it’s not as cut-and-dried as that, at least in my case. There are parts of my old job that I miss, and, as with any job, teaching isn’t all roses.
I was laid off from my previous job, so it’s not as if I had an epiphany and left because I had a burning desire to teach. But I had been in that job for 10 years and no longer found it fulfilling. Losing it forced me to examine what I wanted to do next.
I did some consulting and started job-hunting. But I wanted to talk to someone about my future, and the person who knows me best after my wife, Allyson, is my brother Ray. I called him to help me do some soul-searching.
Everyone who’s laid off should find someone they trust and sit down and talk. You can’t think things through by yourself, especially when you have a family. You have too much going on mentally. You need someone who cares enough to listen, but is not in the thick of it the way you are.
Over lunch with Ray, I brought up the idea of teaching. It was a possibility I had thought about occasionally, but had dismissed as financially unfeasible. I had a 2-year-old and planned to have another child in the near future. Ray told me to hold on, that we should discuss it. And with his help, in two hours I had a plan.
My wife and I sold our home and moved in with my mother so I could go to school and get certification. I found a program at Simmons College for a Master of Arts in teaching that I could complete in about a year. My wife works at the college.
I had been laid off at the end of January 2006, and by late spring that year I was enrolled in the program. I started student-teaching the next January at Masconomet Regional Middle School in Topsfield, Mass. I took two state teaching exams — a general one and one for prospective English teachers. An English teacher was retiring that June, and I was hired to take her place in September.
I love teaching, but I was surprised at the amount of planning it takes to keep lessons fresh. I also didn’t realize that you’re performing in the classroom, giving 45-minute presentations, almost all day. Then you do it again, day after day.
Keeping 12- and 13-year-old kids engaged is challenging. When a lesson works and you connect with them, it’s great, but when it doesn’t, it’s frustrating. Also, at the ages I teach, there can be different maturity levels within each class.
But to have a student return the next year and tell you how much you taught him is unbelievably gratifying. People entering teaching should expect to be fulfilled in ways they haven’t been before.
I make about half my former salary, and I don’t know exactly how my wife and I are managing. We left my mother’s after a year and bought a new house on the opposite side of Boston from where we were. We had done well on the sale of our house and saved money while at my mother’s, so we bought a bigger, house that’s more family-friendly. I sold my car and bought a smaller one to save gasoline. We don’t go out to eat much, and we buy generic brands.
You reach a certain age when money is not the primary driver of your life, especially when you have a child or two. Still, you have to decide what you can live with. If you enjoy what you’re doing, it helps compensate for a lower salary. I also lead an after-school activity: a discussion group about the television series “Lost.” I wanted the students who signed up to see how much deeper the show is than it might first appear to them. I like to think that it’s helping them with critical-thinking skills.
I miss the daily interaction with adults at my old job. I had dreaded business meetings that were held for no reason that I could see, but when meetings to pitch our agency to potential clients went well, that was a different story. When I told vice presidents or C.E.O.’s my ideas and they said they loved them, I felt great. But those moments were not a regular occurrence. It’s just the nature of the job.
I INTEND to work at this school the rest of my life if they’ll have me. I occasionally think about going into school administration because of my background, but I’m still trying to figure out what it means to be a good teacher. A management job may come later.
One of my former students, an eighth grader who wanted to attend a private high school, stopped by one day and told me he had just finished the application essay. He had to write about someone who inspired him, and he wrote about me. That will keep me going for the next three years.

As told to Patricia R. Olsen. E-mail:
preoccupations@nytimes.com.

Day 321 - Acronym City

Wednesday March 3rd

Another day at University, cunningly planned to miss 3 lessons. Today was what they called a secondary conference - we rotated around 4 different seminars to learn as much as we could. I chose the following:

1. VLE/MLE - acronym for Virtual or Managed Learning Environment. The former is basically a web based extranet that gives staff, pupils and parents access to information as well as ability to set and submit homework. The latter is a database school management system. Some schools combine the two quite effectively. I had two epiphanies during this session. Firstly, that Kings' is light years behind the ball in this area and secondly, I'm changing my GTP assignment to "What role can an integrated VLE/MLE play in extending pupil learning and differentiation in schools ?". I could write this in my sleep. I will need to.

2. NLP - Some neuro psychologist pontificating on how he deals with his patients. It was quite thought provoking but he was so arrogant he wound everyone up. Humourous.

3. Behaviour management in the classroom - silence is a powerful tool...unless they are throwing chairs at you.

4. SEAL - more acronyms than you can shake a stick at. This one was the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. He was basically saying that a successful learner has emotional dimensions that we rarely cater for.

Day 320 - Eureka

Tuesday March 2nd

Finally - my CRB check is complete and I am not a deviant. I can start at More House on Monday. The waiting is over but the countdown has begun - I will be teaching four lessons on Monday solo.

Back into the swing of teaching this afternoon. Went through 1022 exam today and the model answers on the IWB worked well. They are quite clearly in a state of denial which we need to work on as we only have a few short weeks, 13 I think, before they take the actual exam. That's when this teaching thing gains a hard edge as I will be judged by their results.

Back on the track and baled out after 8 400s. A combination of rustiness, lingering virus and being a complete wimp. They were very fast splits, 75 to 82 second laps so not too shabby

Day 319 - Ground Hog Day

Monday March 1st

Back at Kings this morning and it feels like Groundhog Day. On the good side, I haven't really had to teach today as BYS and DVS took the lessons and I observed/mucked in. On the bad side, I haven't really had to teach today!

In preparation for tomorrow's 1022 class, I have scanned in my model answers for their exam (see previous blog on how badly they did) so hopefully they will see the error of their ways and vow to work diligently towards the real thing in June.

I found out that I am going on a trip to the Ardeche during summer term half term. I'd forgotten that I had signed up but it seems there are benefits to being a male teacher. There are never enough to go round!!!

Day 318 - A Privileged Life

Sunday February 28th

We drove up to East Horsley for lunch with my brother. We regaled him with stories of life in a comprehensive school. He positively blanched. I guess when you have been to private boarding school, Oxford University and sent your kids to private school, the very thought of a comprehensive school is a bit alien. The kids enjoyed it!

I went to private boarding school and it feels a bit alien to me as well. Of course it feels alien. Without it sounding like a social experiment, that's what makes it so interesting, to see what a school is like with the full spectrum of society trying to function together with varying levels of motivation.

Would I have found it difficult in a comprehensive school as a child? If I had moved to one from private school, maybe, but if I had started in primary like everyone else, it would have made no difference. Would I have come out a different person? Undoubtedly, as the experience would have been very different.

I wonder whether I would have done as well academically? I think I would as the results I got were all self-motivated. However, the values I have today were as much moulded at school as they were by my parents, so who knows if I would have had that self-motivation and independence of thought in the public sector?

Day 317 - Assume The Recovery Position

Saturday February 27th

I was not built for 4 and a half hours sleep.

Drove like the wind back to Winchester in time to catch Alice winning her game and Ted not playing in his. Got home and collapsed in front of the rugby all afternoon. I hardly moved until it was time to go to bed again

Day 316 - Maths Dunce

Friday February 26th

Maths day at University so instead of slugging it out with 9.2.2 , I was relaxing with my fellow trainees looking at some algebra.

I really enjoy these sessions as it is a chance to relax and do some learning of my own. I feel like I am becoming more confident in the subject until I sit next to someone with a Maths degree and then I feel very stupid.

Headed straight off to Essex for Catherine's 40th birthday celebrations. Ellen looked after the girls while we partied til 2.30am. Ouch

Day 315 - Too Many Tests Make Them Ill

Thursday February 25th

I love Thursdays. Still no sign of the CRB check so it's looking like another week before I can go to More House. Instead I have been marking exams and what a shocker that is.

DVS warned me to contain my warm fuzzy feeling about how well 10.2.2 were doing. I did not heed that warning and had very high expectations for their exam this week. Oh dear. With very few exceptions, their results were shocking. They were shocking because most of them hadn't done any revision. None.

I just read an article in the Sunday Times, and I quote: 'The new children's commissioner has said school pupils should sit no more than eight GCSEs, because too many tests are making them ill. Maggie Atkinson said one of the risks to children was "the pressure that we as a society seem determined to continue to put our children under in terms of how hothoused they are at school." Limiting the exams would reduce homework and give children more "down time", she said.'

She goes on to warn that: 'many children were under such stress to achieve good exam results that they lacked a "work-life balance" and were at risk of falling ill from stress.'

Under such stress, my arse. I have never seen a group of kids look so relaxed and unconcerned with getting a U in an exam. They either think it's not important or that someone is going to fix it for them and make everything alright. In my day............

Day 314 - Angles of Pace

Wednesday February 24th

I have been trying to improve the pace of my lessons and am finding it quite difficult. I lose so much time at the beginning of lessons with starters, registration and dealing with the inevitable late/no/dog has eaten my homework issues that by the time I get to the main course it's already 15 or 20 minutes in. In the context of 'how do i get through a 65 minute lesson?', this is find as I always run out of time. In the context of 'are the children learning anything?', it's not so great.

I got some good feedback on pace today so I am happy. This included a formal observation from GDE and she is a tough critic. The lesson in question was Angle Bingo and I kept them moving along nicely. She spent some time with one of the more disruptive boys and he was engaged. Amazing.

I was shattered by the end of the day - I must have picked up a virus with my cold and it's taking a while to shake off.

Day 313 - Presumptions

Tuesday February 23rd

I have been trying to work with the school chef, so that our Year 10s can sell hot chocolate at lunch times and raise some money for charity. It has been an interesting meeting of worlds. Based on our various conversations I put together an email detailing everything we had discussed and the basis on which we could proceed (he his a little reticent as he sees this as pupil money that would otherwise be flowing through his kitchen for food and drink). I got a one line email back asking me to pop down and see him. I thought I had screwed something up and I was about to be blackballed by the chef.

It ended up being something very different. Apparently, his literacy is not great. He prefers verbal communication as he has trouble with grammar and spelling. Never even thought of that possibility before. I have always presumed that clear concise written communication is a basic skill within the grasp of the people I work with.

We had a great chat and I offered to help him with his marketing!

Day 312 - Tick Tock

Monday February 22nd

It is definitely not a good feeling, coming back into school when I had planned not to be there. Today was a very easy day with Year 10 in exams and handing back 9.2.2 topic test. I was better planned this time with scanned in model answers and they responded much better than last time. They all did relatively well so everyone was in good spirits.

I kicked 7.3.1 off on Time which is an interesting topic for Maths. It's more like life skills. Although not many of them wear watches, they were pretty good at telling the time. Tick Tock.

Day 311 - Winchester 10k

Sunday February 21st

It was raining when I woke up and I nearly didn't bother but glad I did.

Headed out and met up with Neil to run the Winchester 10k. In club colours officially for the first time but it's not a club race so doesn't count. Vowed to make it an easy run and relaxed for the first 2 miles, most uphill. As the race progressed I felt pretty strong so kept plugging away and ended up with 41 minutes, a PB. If I had known how good I would feel I would have gone for the sub 40 but in any case it was a timely boost to the confidence.

I came 50th on the day and 5th in the Men 40-44 age group. I've arrived on the scene!

I found out later that week that I made the back pages of the Hampshire Chronicle. Photo to follow

Day 310 - Mud Rider

Saturday February 20th

Ted and I went on an AWEsome bike ride up to Farley Mount in the mud. It was uphill all the way which he struggled with a bit...he kept stopping in the mud and falling off. We got up there and then it was downhill all the way back. We made plans to go biking more often. I took my distinctive Bulleit Bourbon...finally it gets out in the hills it was designed by. Thank you Moose.

Spent the afternoon perched up a long ladder attempting to cut down the wisteria that has wound its way around our four storey drainpipe and threatens to rip it off. I got most of it down but there is a 5 foot section that is beyond me.

Day 309 - Ahoy Captain Hastings

Friday February 19th

No CRB in the post today so I'll be back at Kings' next week. Part of me is relieved as spending next week in the world I know is much more relaxing than going to a whole new school and teaching from scratch again. However, all I'm doing is putting it off so I might as well get on with it. It is amusing that one school won't allow me into their classrooms in case I am a paedophile while the other has let me loose since September. Oh well.

We have been getting texts and emails from our friends from Hastings as they went on a cruise over the winter break. It was the right thing not to go as I can't imagine being away at the moment with everything going on with the job and Ellen's exams starting next week, but we do miss our friends terribly. The cruise would have been laughing all the way.

I'm thinking about a  triathlon again - apparently I can rent a decent bike for the summer for  £100. That could work, I just need to get back into a decent training schedule.

Day 308 - Amnesiac

Thursday February 18th

I am sure I did something really productive today but I cannot for the life of me remember it. I'll put it down to a late night and the approach of soft middle age

Day 307 - The Midnight Train

Wednesday February 17th

Went up to London for dinner and met up with Jonathan, Justin and Benj. We had a good few beers and dinner. This was a good test of whether I miss my old world. I really enjoyed catching up but the thought of still being involved at Diageo or the marketing world leaves me cold. It was a late one but I caught the midnight train home and slept in my own bed.

Day 306 - Father Daughter Bonding Time

Tuesday February 16th

Full day of work today as Mrs N took Alice and Ted off to London. Ellen was here revising for her exams so we got lots done and then had some father daughter bonding time in the evening.

I am getting very apprehensive about my assignment. I have this feeling that I will leave it til the last minute and then it will be a complete panic. I only need to pass it but I'm not sure that I want the stress.

Day 305 - Teacher Fashion

Monday February 15th

My beautiful wife's birthday and I'm at home all day with her to enjoy it. We head off to Southampton to buy some more jumpers for me. I have decided on my teacher's look - formal trousers, shirt, tie and v-necked wool or cashmere jumper. Trouble is that I have been surviving on one grey and one brown one since December so invested in a blue, green and purple version to broaden my color palette.

I have decided against the suit look and have not managed the 'slacks and blazer'. To be honest, I would much prefer jeans and polo shirt but if the kids have to wear shirt and tie.....

Day 304 - The Number Devil

Sunday February 14th

I finally finished reading The Number Devil by Hans Magnus Enzensberger. It was a recommended read back in the summer but I've only just got round to reading it. I really enjoyed it. It's a "Mathematical Adventure", written as an accessible children's story. I can see myself perched on the edge of my desk, reading it chapter by chapter as a huddle of Year 7s sit at my feet, engrossed with my every word.

Jamie McMurray won the Daytona 500. Karma.

Day 303 - You Can Take The Boy Out Of Essex

Saturday February 13th

What do do this weekend? Kicked it off with a weezy run and tentative linesman's duties at Ted's football match. The first half was uneventful but it kicked off with a couple of parents in the 2nd half. I was in the clubhouse drinking tea at the time.

Headed off to see the Boardmans in their cottage in West Sussex. Not too bad a drive  and very good to see them all, as well as Carolyn and Mike. Hadn't seen Carolyn for 8 years. Everyone is so grown up and it's a marvel to watch Mark in his waxed jacket, battered Land Rover in a quaint Sussex village. He's from Wickford in Essex. Whenever I see anyone from Uni, we all revert to being 19 again. Except I had to drive.

Day 302 - Training Day

Friday February 12th

INSET day (In Service Training Day). I had a really good day as a) this counted as 1 day of training towards my 60 day requirement b) the official job vacancy went up on the board and I applied for it and c) I got a whole bunch of work done and felt useful on all kinds of levels. I helped the Art department put together their GCSE mark scheme. A simple set of percentages on Excel but they were pleased

I ended up not leaving until gone 5pm. I think I was the only one left in the building but all loose ends were tied up and if my CRB check comes through during half term I will be ready to go.

Half term is here - 9 days of rest. Bliss.

Day 301 - Girls And Boys

Thursday February 11th

Just one lesson today which was bliss. Got that out the way and then enjoyed my Thursday afternoon, pottering around the staff room and enjoying the sensation of not having to teach tomorrow.

Had a chat with some of the Year 8 pastoral staff as I left, asking for advice on a couple of the kids playing up. It was a good conversation - at this age the more developed boys and girls are beginning to notice each other and there are some elaborate games going on between them. 13 years old. You can't tell them they have all the time in the world for that stuff, they want to get on with it now, even in my lesson

Day 300 - Hanging On

Wednesday February 10th

300 days gone by. This time last year, we were planning our flight over the pond to visit schools and find a house.

This week is proving to be relatively relaxed as no-one was expecting me to be here. Got back into teaching and had a couple of decent lessons with Year 8s. Everyone seems to be hanging on for half term, which is a bit strange as it's been a snow-shortened 6 weeks since Christmas. The weather and illness have taken their toll.

First proper parents evening tonight with Year 9. Spent quite a bit of time preparing so was pleased with how it went. At one point I saw a look of horror spread over one father's face as I laid into his son. I almost stopped but went ahead anyway. It needed to be said.

Day 299 - Job Karma

Tuesday February 9th

The reason I am not in my second school today is that Kings' failed to send off for my CRB check. This is to ensure that I do not have a prior record of interfering with children. Fair enough and fair enough that More House won't let me be in a classroom alone with children until they see the document. A few red faces in the admin office this morning.

I also turned down the Perin's job which they were not happy about. Late on Friday, Kings' decided they were going to advertise a teacher role for a Maths and Business Studies teacher from September. My karma has kicked in again. When will it run out? This explains my two minds on the Perin's job.

In hindsight, Perin's seems a great school with much less pressure than Kings', driven by smaller numbers (1100 v 1650) and a less strict uniform and behaviour code. The latter definitely results in a less tense atmosphere around the school. However, I can't see myself moving to a job outside Winchester where, once again, I would lead a completely separate life to the rest of my family. I like what I have at Kings' and want to keep it.

Day 298 - Are You A Firm Candidate For The Role?

Monday February 8th

What a day.

Interview - I go to my interview at Perins School still in two minds. This was not the plan. It's set up like American Idol. There are 6 of us and we have a tour of the school, an "informal" interview with the Head and Deputy Head and finally, a 30 minute lesson to teach. This is all before lunch and then they get rid of 3 and the other 3 go on to final interviews with the lucky winner being offered a job at 3.15pm.

I have to say this is the hardest selection process I have been through with the possible exception of my first job at Beecham 20 years ago. When I compare the process for getting my SVP role, there is no comparison. The difficulty of the interview process is inversely proportional to the salary involved!

So the first question the Head asks me is whether I am a firm candidate for the role. This is the worst possible question to ask me so I was honest with her. Bad decision. My lesson went OK - it was full of energy and sizzle but not sure how much substance. Must have gone OK as I went through to the last 3.

My final interview was with a panel of 4 firing questions at me. I thought it went pretty badly and I had been found out for the fraud I am. Apparently not as they offered me the job.

Then I found out I wasn't going to More House on Tuesday.

Day 297 - Clandestine Handovers

Sunday February 7th

The tension is building - job interview tomorrow and then I start at my new school. I can't take the pressure..take me back to the relaxed world of Diageo. Oh, I feel much better now.

Took the train up to Horsley and picked up Charles' car. Met with Frances in the pub to hand over my lap top and files for three weeks. That car goes like sh*t off a shovel. Not used to that kind of horsepower.

Day 296 - Slices of Pizza

Saturday February 6th

Mum's birthday and I managed to catch her between golf and safari in South Africa. Why can't they buy a little pad out there and invite me down during the summer for the World Cup?

Ted and Alice both playing football today and both won. Alice almost scored a couple of times for the U11s which would have been great. Ted didn't get to play much and is a bit despondent. I did warn him.....

I have to teach some Year 7s about fractions on Monday as part of my interview. I am planning to use paper plates as slices of pizza. I'm quite looking forward to it.

Day 295 - Subbed At Half Time

Friday February 5th

I struggled manfully in having planned all my lessons but my voice and resolve gave way in my first lesson. The lesson itself was a bit of a disaster - it's the last time I ask a band 3 set to do a Tarsia puzzle...schoolboy error.

After that I was ushered gently into the staffroom and out of general circulation for the rest of the day. It turned out quite well as I managed to get everything organised for next week.

Day 294 - Teacher Down

Thursday February 4th

I finally succumbed and spent the day in bed trying to fight this cold. A classic dose of man flu but sleeping all day certainly helps and funnily enough, no-one called or sent me e-mails all day. I guess the world can go on without me.

Day 293 - Dragons Den, Kings' Style

Wednesday February 3rd

Not feeling 100% so fighting through to the weekend with runny nose and ample doses of Lemsip. Three lessons today as well as a lunchtime with the Kings Enterprise team.

There are a number of pupil run businesses at the school selling everything from Christmas stuff to cards, picture frames, key rings etc. They are there to turn a profit and learn about business. Who better to help out than me with my experience. First up was a company printing and mounting photos onto canvass. They have a limited market and some issues with quality control to deal with.

I gave 8.1.3 a nice rich task for their lesson. The trouble is I only figured out the learning points right at the end as they were packing up. They enjoyed it anyway!

Day 292 - Drawing Perfect Circles

Tuesday February 2nd

Started a new topic with 7.2.1 today - angles. I was being observed and I think it went ok although once again I didn't quite get through everything I wanted. I did, however, use the 'plastic suction cap perfect circle drawer thingy' on the whiteboard without screwing up so I'm feeling quite proud of myself.

Year 10 have their exams straight after half term so this will be the first big test of whether I've taught them anything. They have worked hard on surds and histograms, both A grade topics so I am hoping we haven't neglected solid B and C grade topics along the way.

Day 291 - Two Minds

Monday February 1st

My last week at Kings' before going to my second school and I have prepared outline lesson plans for all my sets after half term. This is a big deal and I am feeling very pleased with myself. It still means I have to plan each lesson but at least I have something to base it on. It will also make it easier for Frances to plan her lessons when she and I swap next week.

My first interview came through for Perins School in Arlesford, about 7 miles away. I am in two minds about the whole thing. I need to do this in case something at Kings' doesn't come up but I don't really want to work anywhere else...I'm just getting settled here and do not like the thought of going somewhere new and laying all the groundwork again. best not to be in two minds when I actually go to the interview.

Day 290 - Glops of Mud

Sunday January 31st

A crisp January Sunday and not a care in the world except football, eating, lesson planning and resting. I did go for a big muddy run and arrived home with great bit glops of mud hanging off my legs. Cross country running at its best.

Trisha came to visit and we had a leisurely stroll into town. She grew up in Arlesford just up the road so knows Winchester well. We made use of the grown up living room and sat chatting, drinking tea and reading the Sunday papers. I marked some books.

Day 289 - The Great Bacon Debate

Saturday January 30th

Icy cold day today and went for a run with Neil before Ted's game. He had hurt his calf so I did some uphill speed work on my own and it hurt. The bacon roll with HP sauce and cup of tea eased the pain, as did their victory.

Bacon was discussed in the clubhouse. Some had a big aversion to crispy bacon, a staple of American breakfasts, preferring the almost ham like thickness of the British rasher. I like both but, if pushed, and definitely in the context of a bacon roll with melted butter and HP sauce, I prefer a meaty rasher with crispy fat around the edges. The best of all worlds.

Day 288 - Catch 22

Friday January 29th

Game of two halves today. Before lunch was not a great performance. As with my other classes, it takes a while to judge the pace of a new set and 7.3.1 is no exception. CRG has left me pretty much alone with them which I like but only if it's going well. Today's particular issue was inverse operations. I gave them some easy problems to work through but they managed to do them without actually inverting because they could "see" the answer. As soon as the problem got harder and they couldn't see the missing number, they didn't have a method to figure it out. And so we went on.....Catch 22

After lunch, 9.2.2 behaved themselves and I had a great lesson with 8.1.3 as they worked out the angle sum of polygons. They did all the work while I watched and learnt.

Day 287 - That Was Me

Thursday January 28th

Year 11 parents' evening was good training for me although I was in a state of mild panic about my full day of teaching the next day. I basically sat and observed for a couple of hours and, given I have a Year 8 parents' evening in March, I needed to pick up some top tips.

First observation - the parents you really want to speak to don't turn up. This speaks volumes about the importance they attach to their child's education and how this rubs off on their kids. The parents of kids who are doing great do turn up and you tell them what they already know - "Johnnie/Lizzie is doing great and should achieve the grade he/she wants in the summer".

Second observation - the Dad in a suit, distracted by his Blackberry, their child's education only slightly more important than the urgent business he has left behind in the office and needs to get back to. He sits down in front of the teacher who earns a fraction of his salary and smiles indulgently as the teacher heaps praise on his off spring ("of course!") or sighs wearily as the teacher suggests a little more effort and a little less arrogance in the classroom would pay off ("what can I do about it?"). That was me.

Day 286 - Napoleon's Retreat From Moscow

Wednesday January 27th

University day and the dreaded verdict on my inept Fibonacci assignment. Blow me, but I only got a B! Apparently it was a good idea and my tutor wants to see it in action. I think she was just being nice. Even so, that B made for a much better day.

Really enjoyed today as we were looking at statistics and she pulled out a bunch of really interesting charts from real life. I was particularly taken by this one - Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. Not only is it mathematically accurate, it's tells an incredibly powerful story through a brilliant combination of numbers and art. If I could find something like this for every lesson I teach, I would be very very happy. It clearly shows that his Army was pretty much done for by the time it got to Moscow in August and that the retreat was just the nail in the coffin.....as it were

Day 285 - Bump In The Road

Tuesday January 26th

Assembly and mentor meeting this morning. My assignment is looming large and I still haven't done anything meaningful about it. That's probably why the university encourages us to start on it early and not leave it to the last minute.

It's odd as I'm shying away a little from planning lessons and putting myself out there. I don't know whether that's because I'm tired, I just haven't got in the groove yet, or it's a natural part of the cycle as I realise that performing at a high level day in day out in front of a class is very very difficult. I did OK today but that was because I only had 2 lessons and the 2nd one I asked to observe rather than teach. I need to get over this bump in the road.

Day 284 - Tutor's Dilemma

Monday January 25th

Secured my first tutoring job today. This is the way forward. 25 quid cash in hand for one hour a week. If I could squeeze in 6 a week, that's 150 right there. Not a bad supplement to the meagre teacher's salary.

The actual tutoring was brilliant for three reasons. Firstly, I can do Maths and this gives immediate confidence to the parents that I can help. Secondly, the dynamic is so very different to the classroom and that gives me confidence that I can actually teach, rather than a continuous battle with half of the class who look at you blankly as if you are not only boring but stupid as well. Thirdly, and most importantly, I figured out very quickly what the particular issue with this child was - he tries to do everything in is head and then write down the answer. That works at primary school but as the Maths gets harder, they have to learn a few written methods and write their thoughts down.

Having said that, I have stumbled across the central dilemma for many parents whose children struggle a bit at school. If their kids listened in class, concentrated on their work and did the homework, they wouldn't need tutors. When they do get a tutor, the child doesn't bother at school anymore and the parents think that the school hasn't done their job because "look how quickly little Johnnie has caught up with a tutor". Not true in all cases but you see my point.

Day 283 - Three Un-Wise Men

Sunday January 24th

Report writing hell as previously reported so hardly left the sanctuary of my office and completely ignored my family. I managed to head out for a long run, 9.5 miles, up through Twyford into Shawford, Otterbourne and back again.

We went to a fund raiser for three un-wise men who are doing the Marathon des Sables in April. I hadn't quite realised how gruelling the race is. It's more than a marathon and lasts for 6 days. 6 days when you have to cover 150+ miles and carry your own food. They showed pictures of some of the foot injuries. Ouch. The Marathon du Medoc (wine, I mean water, stops in every chateau along the way) looks much more appealing.

I got home at 9pm and still had to plan three lessons for tomorrow. Very very tired but pleased that I stayed disciplined and stuck to the task over the weekend. I do not intend to make a habit of this.

Day 282 - Report Writing Hell

Saturday January 23rd

No-one can mention the word REPORT to me, ever again. This weekend I had to write 65 reports for Year 8 and it nearly killed me. I received lots of advice and encouragement but it came down to this: by 8.30am on Monday I had to write 65 reports, having never done one before. It was a harrowing experience but I did it.

The first one took about half an hour (at that rate 32.5 hours of work) and by the end I managed 12 in an hour. There is a comment bank of stock phrases but I found that unworkable as, in my naivety, I wanted to say something personal and useful for each child. I actually enjoyed it because, ultimately, this is why I'm teaching - to give each child the feedback they need to get better.

Ted's new team reached the U13 Hampshire Cup Final with a 6-1 drubbing of a fancied team. The only issue is that he hardly played but he was the one who wanted to leave his old team

Day 281 - Tarzan Roar

Friday January 22nd

Tired today and lacking in inspiration. This is not good on a very full Friday so I need to find another gear from somewhere this term if I'm going to keep improving. I'm doing enough to get by right now and that's about it.

I just completed a pretty horrendous assignment for university. I handed it in but wasn't at all happy with it. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it got lost in translation and I ran out of time to change it. My own fault as we were given the assignment before Christmas but as usual I left it to the last minute. I am not looking forward to getting my grade back.

I got through the day and then rushed off to Ted's football practice. I felt much better after a good run - maybe I'm playing things too safe and controlled, I need to find my Tarzan roar and get the blood pumping, take a few risks.

Day 280 - Enigma and Colossus

Thursday January 21st

Another day out from school today, this time to Bletchley Park with a group of Year 7s. My first go at supervising a school trip and it went remarkably well - I didn't lose one child and at no point did I get close to administering the Epi pen (except to myself).

Most of the day was on the coach as Bletchley Park is near Milton Keynes, a good 2 hours drive. The shrine to war-time code-breaking has seen better days and is in desperate need of a makeover. In fact, I would not be surprised if it isn't subsumed into another museum one day soon. It is a remarkable story and, while there are veterans to tell it, perhaps worthy of a stage to itself. However, as memories fade, it probably needs to take its place alongside other exhibits at a bigger museum that will capture its essence without the vast expense of a site of its own. An amazing story all the same. They recruited code-breakers from winners of the Telegraph cryptic crossword puzzle. I bet they were at it like rabbits when they weren't hunched over German messages, squinting through their cigarette smoke in dimly lit Nissan huts.

Day 279 - Tangled Webs

Wednesday January 20th

Back to work today but, because of the school closures, both my Year 8 classes were taking exams so I had no planning to do at all. It made for quite a relaxed day and I caught up with a few things.

Soon I will need to face the prospect of applying for a job as there is no current vacancy at Kings'. I am feeling quite relaxed about it but Mrs. N is not. I suppose the thought of going to another new school from September is not particularly appealing having put so much effort into getting to know staff and children here.

I broached the idea of teaching Business Studies to my mentor but backtracked very quickly when a look of horror crossed her face..."but why would you want to do that if you want to teach Maths?....". Ah, it's a long story. I do need to spend some time with the Business Studies department and see what's going on with them. I know a bit about that stuff.