Day 161 - Perspective

Thursday September 24th

Today I assessed my 8.2.4 class on how much they had learnt from my teaching of sequences. Not much it seems. A very good reality check for me as very few of them had grasped "the nth term" and I thought I had done very well on communicating it. There's also a big difference between what you think they get in class and what they can regurgitate back. A bit of a blow, but not unexpected.

Put my football boots on for the first time in ages up in the school gym. Very pedestrian but enjoyed it and managed to plan a busy day tomorrow.

Day 160 - Which Classroom Am I In Today?

Wednesday September 23rd

Still buzzing after last night but the school week was beginning to get to me. I think it's the frequent room changes. I (obviously) do not get my own classroom so not only do I have to prepare the lesson, I have to remember to take everything with me, find the classroom, get set up for a different space and then teach.

My 8.2.4 lesson was in another block and I got all the way there and realised I had forgotten their books. Panic. Fortunately, my colleague walked back to get them all and saved my bacon but a great example of the detail you have to remember.

Day 159 - Pros v Joes

Tuesday September 22nd

What comes after pride? Not such a great day today as I didn't connect with the 10.2.2 class I had to the extent I thought I would. It wasn't bad but I let them off the hook a bit on delivering against the task I had set and not sure they learnt anything. 65 minutes just flies by.

Went to my first track coaching session for WADAC and finally got to experience some proper training. Other than screwing up the various sets I felt good and my pace was quick. What a difference a track makes after weeks of road and track. The spring was extraordinary and I felt like I was going fast. Clocked 5:53 mile without pushing it so will definitely attempt a time trial soon.


Day 158 - Glorious Autumn

Monday September 21st

Week 3 in school and what a glorious day to walk in. Warm, sunny and that unique English autumnal smell. Today was a good day as my lesson planning paid off and my two new classes, 10.2.2 and 9.2.2 seemed to go well. I paid for it with a far too cavalier afternoon, sitting around drinking tea rather than planning the next few days but I enjoyed a bit of basking.

Helped out with football practice and then helped clear out the final few things from Nightingale. It was like we were never there.

Day 157 - Conker Fights

Sunday September 20th

Long run this morning and then sat and attempted to plan next week's lessons. Felt pretty confident about them but it seemed to take forever to do them. Next week is going to be hard, I can feel it coming. I'm taking on more and more lessons which means I have to plan them. This doesn't seem so bad but when you are planning a 65 minute lesson from scratch on a topic you know nothing about, to a group of children you hardly know and moving from classroom to classroom with a plastic box of stuff that you think you might need......

By the way, what happened to conker fights? Our local streets are covered in conkers but none of the kids seem bothered any more. I remember a time when we would scavenge tirelessly in the street, woods and into people's gardens, soak them in vinegar, leave them on radiators and then carefully bore a hole through the middle before threading the string and going into battle with trembling hands and hope in your heart that you had found "the one". More often than not you finished with bruised knuckles and a bruised ego but every now and then you could boast a "tenner" or better. Happy days.

Day 156 - That Big Girl

Saturday September 19th

We'd never heard our tiny little daughter described as big but given the ferocity of her tackling in both U10 and U11 teams this morning, it made me stop and realise that our baby is almost 10. The year breaks are different in the UK and she has gone from being one of the youngest in her year (December cut off) to the oldest (September cut off). We never noticed this when she played in Hastings as she always played up a year. Ellen and Ted are the same, especially Ted who has adopted a little bit of a swagger since coming home, partly because he senses he's a little bit older and more worldly wise than his class mates.

N&G paid us a surprise visit on their way back from Wales. Dad has been researching his family tree and went back to visit Mumbles, where his parents came from originally. Some fascinating stories emerging about the black leather Baptist bible, bakers, shotgun weddings and pirates....who would have known? I am particularly excited about being related to Captain Henry Morgan


Day 155 - You Should Be An Accountant, Sir

Friday September 18th

I was really looking forward to my 11.2.4 lesson today as I was clear on what I wanted to achieve but knew I would have a few challenging kids in there to test me. In the end we got half the work done and then the fire alarm went off for a planned drill. Classic moment of the day and the week is when one of the boys was trying to distract me and suggested I could earn more money if I trained to be an accountant. Bless. Thought the lesson went well as far as it went.

The afternoon dragged for everyone I think. Ran starters for both lessons but didn't feel the energy so happy to pack up and head home by 4.30pm for a relaxed evening with my family.

Day 154 - First Observation

Thursday September 17th

Everyone back in today and had my first formal observation by Jane, my mentor. The lesson went well albeit a little pedestrian to begin with. I was so keen to follow my lesson plan that I didn't get to new stuff until late on and ran out of time. A shame as that bit went really well but was rushed and not sure if they all got it. 8.2.4 is a hard class as they are well behaved but very passive so need to generate some energy in the classroom.

Got the feedback afterwards and was rated a good. She challenged me to try a range of teaching styles and get the kids much more involved with working in groups or individually rather than rely on me at the front. It's definitely what I want to do but there is a certain safety in being rigidly in control of the situation when are not quite sure of the material or the class dynamic!!!! I know I can create energy and engage the room, I just need to be confident that I can stick to some kind of plan while doing it.

Went off to track tonight and joined the 'threshold' runners. Managed 4 lots of 5 mins at 6.25 pace. Got me dreaming of a 1:25 half...

Day 153 - Tutor Visit

Wednesday September 16th

Our darling daughter's 15th birthday today and no school for them. Just me trudging up the long steep hill to school. Today was all about annual reviews...done a few of them before! It was very nice not to have to do one for a change. Instead I had a meeting with Keith, the head of the GTP course at University of Southampton. The meeting went well, especially as I had everything handy to show him.

Brought back bad memories of the final leadership course I had to do at Diageo when every sinew within me screamed in protest at having to fill in forms, do tests and go to week long courses, all the while knowing I was moving on. I enjoyed it much more this time - how could you not when it's all new and interesting and stretching me in different directions rather than bullsh*t of the highest order that gets cancelled as soon as the money runs dry in a recession?

Day 152 - Pastoral Care

Tuesday September 20th

The cold is definitely taking a hold but I needed to get through the school day. Unlike working in an office taking a sick day means the school has to pay to cover your lessons. In my case that's not a big deal as I am only supporting the main teacher but it does put a huge burden on teachers to not take a day off.

Today was Year 10 Assembly. I am learning about pastoral care. In other words, what does the school do other than churn out A through C grades at GCSE? Kings' seems to have it covered with tutor groups, assemblies, houses and loads of sport and other after school activities. For a school which is big on discipline and results it has an amazing amount of other stuff going on. I introduced myself to the Head a few days ago and remarked on the size of the school. She said that it operates as 5 schools on one site with the Head of Years running a school of 330 kids each. A school within a school. I think that's the route I want to go. Can't see myself as head of Maths!

Day 151 - Bingo

Monday September 14th

Feeling a little nervous this morning as I joined a Year 10 Tutor Group and had planned starters for 9.2.2 and 10.2.2 in succession. I knew some of the tutor group already so that was OK and then I tried out my bingo starter on 10.2.2. This went well up until the point where they had trouble filling out a simple 5x5 grid with the numbers 1 to 25! Managed to get over that and got a winner quite quickly. In 10.2.2 it took ages to get a winner and I got a question wrong. Panic started to set in but I managed to bluff it out. You definitely have to sweat the small stuff when you start out as it's those details that can trip you up and ruin a lesson.

The afternoon was relatively relaxed but I could feel a cold coming on so instead of going straight home I got changed and helped out with football practice. Spent an enjoyable hour herding about 30 Year 7s about. Really enjoyed but was pleased to get home and bed.

Day 150 - Spiders Webs

Sunday September 13th

A beautiful morning and headed off for a 10 mile run. As I ran towards the rising sun (yes, that early) the light caught hundreds of spiders' webs twinkling with dew in the long grass. Stunning image that I know I could never capture with a camera but definitely worth the early morning slog.

Alice headed off for her first away game and came back very grumpy. She didn't play much and that really doesn't sit well with her.

Mrs N and Alice went to church with Ellen and ran back screaming. Apparently it was a little too happy-clappy and even Ellen was a little freaked out. I think I might have punched someone if I had gone.

I completed two GCSE papers under exam conditions over the last couple of days and I fear that I have been a little under zealous on my subject knowledge revision over the summer. It's times like this that I behave like a 15 year old school boy and not a middle aged man - I am slightly concerned that I am going to be told off for being stupid by my tutor.

Day 149 - Opting Out

Saturday September 12th

Took Ted to practice and worked in the car on lesson plans for next week. Had a chat with one of the other Dads about what I was doing and by the end of the practice his wife informed me that he had gone home and told her he was "opting out" like me. Not quite what I meant but you know what happens when we hit our 40s....

The dartboard finally went up today so posted a few photos to Anthony. I need to set up the webcam so we can do the virtual darts match.

Ellen was away all day in Basingstoke and Ted off with his friends so it looks like we will be childless at weekends again soon.

Day 148 - Coming Up For Air

Friday September 11th

I didn't realise it was 9/11 until about 3pm today. 8 years ago RIP.

I cycled up to school. It was harder than the first time as I had a big back pack on. I did make it the whole way but very sweaty as I passed all the kids at One Stop. Very cool.

Very amusing Year 11 class where a back row kept me occupied with their attempts to wind me up. They really did think that I was a student teacher and I suppose they were right in one sense. I have enough verbal ammunition to deal with them. Looks like I will be working with a few of them on retaking their GCSE papers in March. Looking forward to that challenge as it will be in smaller groups and their is a very specific goal...get a C

End of the week so celebrated with a beer and an early night

Day 147 - My First Lesson

Thursday September 10th

Didn't run this morning but got up instead and went through my lesson plan for the millionth time. My heart was definitely pounding - what could possibly go wrong with a room full of 12 year olds?!

The lesson went fine although (and I know this sounds really stupid) I was so focused on managing the classroom, I don't think I actually taught them anything. I was also a little non - plussed by the lack of energy in the room. It felt like I had to generate it all myself which is tiring. I shouldn't be surprised, we are talking Maths after all.

Ted headed off to play for the school in his first game and I finally went off to the Winchester Athletic Club at the track. We went for a 7 mile run and I cycled home in the dark. Not clever.

Day 146 - Keep Smiling Til Christmas

Wednesday September 9th

Full day at University today so caught the bus there and back. It was a good day as I was familiar with most of the presentations in the morning and the lack of teaching jargon was refreshing. The guy who presented dismissed the thought of "don't smile til Christmas" with exactly the opposite. I like that.

My Head of Dept is leading the Maths specific content and I embarrassed myself with one of the questions she asked. Oops. Bless her though, she moved swiftly on to spare my blushes. She may be questioning her decision to hire me though.


Day 145 - Lesson Planning

Tuesday September 8th

We have a template for lesson plans. This makes sense as the better planned you are, the better the lesson will go as you are clear on objectives, have all the right resources, work to timing and can focus on the kids in front of you rather than what you have to do next.

I am currently writing my first proper lesson plan for Thursday and so far it has taken about 4 hours. This is not good as there are 25 lessons a week. That's roughly 100 hours planning with a full timetable.

I reviewed it with my mentor and she was pleased with it. The obvious flaw in it is that you fill in all the boxes and get lulled into a false sense of readiness. However, when it comes to actually delivering the meat of the lesson to 30 kids at different levels of understanding, with different learning styles, none of whom I know yet.....

I got home today a little drained and once again daunted at the scale of what I have taken on. Getting home at 4.30pm made me feel a whole lot better

Day 144 - How Badly Can They Behave?

Monday September 7th

So my biggest nightmare is being soft on behaviour. I lie/sit there and think of all these different scenarios where kids defy me, laugh at me, swear at me, attack me (or someone else) and I am frozen on the spot, unable to take firm action. My preference is for some cutting witty remark that stops them in their tracks and there is no more trouble but I know that is fantasy land.

Even standing in the corridor and checking uniforms (top button done up, tie up to the collar, shirt tucked in) is a dilemma. How do you be consistent if you know that a. say it once you have to say it a thousand times and b. once they walk round the corner, they undo their top button again.

At the staff meeting today, I received a weighty copy of the behaviour policy and had a talk from the child protection officers. We have a 'Referral Form' which we need to fill in and pass to senior management if we punish anyone. The list of misdemeanours is priceless - swearing, smoking, drugs, alcohol, not working. Also priceless is what you need to refer to the CPO - pregnancy, abortion, drug abuse. Not much of that to deal with at Diageo.

Day 143 - Sudden Death

Sunday September 6th

Good run this morning, 5 miles at 6:50.

Worked in the morning on class registers and then took M&D down to watch Alice's tournament. She did very very well, the highlight being her nerves of steel as she slotted two penalties in a shoot out. She was exhausted by the end but has definitely impressed her team mates and coaches. Some lovely kids there but the tattoos and smoking are definitely intimidating


Ted was off with his team all afternoon and has made a couple of friends it seems.

It's now 10pm. Ted and Ellen are in bed thinking of all the things that can go wrong tomorrow at their new school. Me too.

Day 142 - St Cross Garden Show

Saturday September 5th

We have found the replacement for dominating the Terry Ryan Run. We walked down to St Cross Hall and discovered the annual show which we will be entering and winning next year. It was held in an ancient and very English village hall and included flowers, bread, vegetables etc. with prizes awarded by an independent judge. The vegetables were very impressive but I fancy my chances in the bread making next year. Mrs N said it reminded her of the shows her Dad entered in Rickmansworth back in the day and saw the glint of competition in her eye...watch out St Cross, here we come.

Day 141 - Overload

Friday September 4th

If yesterday was a gentle introduction, today was anything but. I was bombarded with so much stuff from every direction today and while outwardly I remained calm, inside my brain and stomach were whirring and lurching respectively. Nothing bad just trying to get my head round everything I need to do just to stand up and teach one topic to one class for 65 minutes.

My two biggest fears are 1. My mind going blank on the subject matter and not being able to string to words together and 2. Not standing up and being tough on behaviour (or trying to be too tough and not backing it up).

Ted is also in Band 1 for Maths and probably everything else so at least they will be on the right track for Monday. I have made tentative enquiries about getting involved outside the department - Business and Enterprise and PE...probably Cross Country.


Day 140 - The Time Has Come


Thursday September 3rd

The time has come the Walrus said
To talk of many things
Of shoes and ships and sealing wax
And cabbages and kings
And why the sea is boiling hot
And whether pigs have wings

A very auspicious day for new beginnings - on September 3rd in 1939 WW2 started, in 1989 I started my first job at Beecham Bovril Brands and today, 20 years later, I start my new career as a teacher.
An INSET day is probably the easiest intro I could ask for as there were no children in the school but it did not diminish the enormity of the occasion. I walked to school with my packed lunch and QPR mug, got my new badge and then found out I was not on the list of staff. Oh well. I did get a laptop and login name on my first day which was very impressive.

Work finished at 3.15. I'll repeat that, 3.15 so I walked home, took Ted to practice, ran 3 miles, got home and didn't feel that tired. Cracking.

140 days, exactly 20 weeks since I left Diageo and I have enjoyed every single day of those 20 weeks. I've run a 24 hour relay race, done a triathlon, run a Beer Mile, moved countries, bought a house, got all three kids into school, two kids into football clubs and ticked off quite a few things on my bucket list. I really did have a dream to become a teacher for many years and now that is exactly what I am making a reality. I have always been more fatalistic than anything - taking each day as it comes, tackling whatever is in front of me and, I suppose, more often than not, taking the easy option and operating within my capabilities. This is the first time I've seriously set about achieving a big long term goal. Let's see if I'm any good at it.

Day 139 - Finishing Touches

Wednesday September 3rd

Ted and Ellen went off with Alex and Helena all day so we had Alice to ourselves. Felt a little fuzzy headed so had an easy morning before biking into the library with Alice. Cycling in Winchester is interesting. There are some nice trails and paths that are every safe from traffic but once you get into town it can get a little hairy. There are also lots of hills, especially up to school.

It started to rain after lunch and didn't stop for the rest of the day. Alice's practice was cancelled but we went and picked up her kit for Sunday...No.9 no less! Spent the rest of the evening ironing and watching "Defiance" - a great story but not sure the film quite hung together.

Went to bed feeling relatively relaxed but well aware of the enormity of what I'm taking on from tomorrow. This week will be an easy introduction as there are no kids tomorrow and Years 7 and 11 only on Friday

Day 138 - 16 + 51 = 1450

Tuesday September 1st

Busy today as I managed a run (decent pace) and finished off my 8 page review of the summer school I went to last week. I packed it full of potential "applications" in the classroom so I am hoping I can use it for my portfolio and/or training. A little longwinded but glad I got it done.

Catherine came for the day so we had the cousins running around keeping our lot occupied. All of them are very different and real characters. Walked into town with them and dropped Alice off at her party. She has definitely gone a little quiet in the run up to school.

Then we headed out for our anniversary dinner with M&D. They hadn't had a drink all month so the champagne went straight to their heads. Good wholesome food in a building dating back to 1450 and then Dad drove us the wrong way down a one way street in the centre of Winchester. No police around which was lucky

Day 137 - Nerves

Monday August 31st

I start work on Thursday and have so much still to do.

Spent the morning going to and from Ted's new coach's house with all the documents to register him for Wyvern FC. He'll miss the game on Sunday but they seem very happy to have him on board. I mentioned the idea of taking a bunch of kids from the club to the States for Eastern camp and got a positive response...that could be fun.

Invited round to our neighbours at #84 for a drink tonight. James is in Year 8 and Ellie in Year and both offered to walk up to school with Ted and Ellen on Friday.

Day 136 - Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Sunday August 3oth

M&D Anniversary and we had big family lunch. Fun Uncle Charles (as he is known round here because so far the kids have gratefully received Playstation, Ping Pong table, Trampoline and now a Wii from him) and Suzan stayed on with the promise of summer pudding (delicious)

And so the final Sunday before I start my new career is upon me. It still feels very surreal but reality will kick in soon enough. I am cr*p at Wii golf.

Christmas is at our place this year. Daunting

Day 135 - moonpig.com

Saturday August 29th

Went for my long run this morning without Chris, who turned up a little late. Managed 10 miles at 7:16 which I was delighted with especially as I had a couple of breathers. First time I've run that far since December I think. Nice circuit around York, taking in the wall, the gates, Minster and Bootham Crescent although I couldn't find the ground itself.

Forgot to mention that I discovered www.moonpig.com on Thursday when I forgot to post Mrs N an anniversary card on time. It's brilliant and took me back to a conversation I had with Chris Parsons on the journey back from Pebble Beach in 06. We were talking about dreams and he said he had this idea for an online greetings service that posted real cards with real stamps and signatures. Sorry, Chris, you're too late.

Felt good all morning and then headed off to the train for the long journey back. It was great to be home and see everyone. Charles and Suzan arrived for the night so we drank beer, ate curry and had a good old chat


Day 134 - Fred Is ALIVE

Friday August 28th

Happy 16th Anniversary! Much has changed since that glorious day in 1993 but fortunately the one thing that hasn't is Mrs N. Yippee!

I also awoke to the news that Fred had arrived at Heathrow and followed her trip back home with close interest all day. She was out of her travel box very quickly and has been very affectionate to the kids. This is a very good sign.

I am now looking forward to going home and the day was a little sluggish, brightened by a pub quiz in the evening. Early night for me as I contemplated a long run in the morning.

Day 133 - Libel, Spitfires, Footballs and Juggling

Thursday August 27th

Got out early for a run this morning and tried some speed work but managed one mile and then switched to 400s. Not bad though.

Who said Maths was boring? So far this week, we've had a guy dressed up as a 17th Century Matmematician, a rant about the British libel laws, a talk about the maths behind the Battle of Britain (the model said we should have lost that one), making a football from card and tape and a juggler with a large brain.


It was all too much for me so we went down to the pub for a few pints and played Truth or Dare. Very funny crowd and enjoyed myself immensely. Managed to get to bed before it got too silly and fell asleep dreaming of cats on jumbo jets


Day 132 - Humility

Wednesday August 26th

Humility is a virtue I am making use of this week. Last night, I made it down to the pub with the party crew. It was fun being back in a student pub but at times an uneasy juxtaposition - between really enjoying the banter and complaining about how fresh the beer was (at 1.69 a pint, who cares?).

I am humbled by how bright everyone seems to be, how quick they are to figure out problems while I bumble around in the dark. I am humbled by how dedicated everyone is and that the lecturers publish books, run competitions and teach all at the same time. I am humbled by Chris who can run a half marathon in 1 hour 11

[an email I wrote to the Hastings running crew this week]

So, I am on a Maths 'summer school' up in York all week and go for my Tuesday morning run at 6.15. I am pleasantly surprised to see a few other runners. In particular I pass a young guy going the other way who is running at a decent pace.

Later in the day I get chatting to him with the intention of suggesting we run together next time. I talk at length about my running, trying to find a track to do some intervals etc. and then ask him if he runs seriously. He says he does a ferw 10ks and Halfs and is training for his first marathon.

I then proudly tell him about the Ragnar and he says he did a 10x10k relay with some friends in Holland and they averaged 32 minute 10ks. I wither inside and ask him what he runs a Half in. 71 minutes he says. A mile? 4:25 he says.

Needless to say, I did not go on to suggest we run together this week

He did also say that the first 5k he did 5 years ago was 24mins and the secret to improving your race pace is lots and lots of interval work - 400s, 800s, miles: building up the repetitions with 90 seconds rest between and NO negative splits, just a steady pace and maybe pushing yourself to the next level on your last one.

Day 131 - Conscious Incompetence

Tuesday August 25th

I was brought down to earth with a bang today as we sat in a problem solving group and I had no idea what was going on. There is asking stupid questions and then there is asking really stupid questions. That feeling persisted all day so I keep my head down and tried to keep up and absorb as much as I could.

You can understand why people stay in the same career/field/job forever. It is simply terrifying to sit there and not know what on earth anyone is talking about, knowing that everyone else does, knowing that you should. I cannot remember who said this but it definitely feels like going from a state of unconscious competence, where I knew 90% of what was going to happen and how to deal with it on any given day, to a state of conscious incompetence where I haven't a clue. It's OK when you're 21.

Met someone who was at Exeter and graduated in 2002. He won't remember me then.....

Day 130 - The Grand Old Duke Of York

Monday August 24th

Uneventful journey up to York, other than bumping into Charles and Suzan at Waterloo (what is the probability of THAT?). It was fun to be on the train and walking through Waterloo and Kings Cross again. Got the bus up to campus and for about an hour was horrified at the thought of spending a whole week here. It seemed a little geeky and I had nothing to say to anyone. Things improved as we walked around doing a Maths Quiz and by the evening had met a few people who I could talk to.

I really want to blurt out my story but I only get as far as "I start teaching in September...." at which point I am sure people are already judging me. I can't complain because we are all the same, it's human nature, but there is part of me that wants to tell everyone that I had a very successful career in my chosen field, was earning a very nice salary and then CHOSE to go into teaching. Of course, I want people to think I'm special. It's not going to happen so I will just have to remain special in my own mind.

This evening a venerable old professor donned period costume and told the story of Euler. This was striking on many fronts, not least that it was pretty interesting. I had no idea who Euler was until now. He used hand written overheads on and OHP....wow!

The course leader is pretty impressive. He is prolific in his output, very forthright in his opinion and is passionate enough to run this summer school. Good stuff. His presentation notes are unorthodox to say the least.

Day 129 - Tax Credit Karma

Sunday August 23rd

Long run this morning. Thought about 10 miles but ended with about 8.5

A very calm day, dominated by growing nerves about heading of to York tomorrow. I haven't been away from the family or my own bed for a few weeks now and to head off for a whole week into the unknown is quite the upheaval. I actually planned what to pack and then packed the night before which is very unusual for me.

Completed the Child Benefit forms and Tax Credit application. We get about 50 quid a week for the kids, irrespective of income and hopefully some tax credits as a low income earner. Unfortunately, the form asks for my annual earnings from last year which will bring the credit right down I'm sure. I thought about fibbing as all my earnings have been in the US but as karma has been so good to me so far, I don't want to screw it up with some bad.

Alice had practice this morning so went along and chatted to some of the other mothers. One of them has just trained as a GTP Maths teacher so another good source of information.

England regained the Ashes. Rejoice.

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