A little Mosaic tribute!
I am a teacher at Gillingstool and started as a student here (first placement) in the very class I am now lucky enough to teach. When looking for a job in my second PGCE placement, I saw the advert for Gillingstool come up on the, at times very stressful Eteach, and I’ve never felt so hopeful for anything. I knew how much I had loved the children, staff and parents and knew it was somewhere I could see myself being truly happy. I had built relationships with so many families, some of whom have had children join the school, who are now in my class today. I can say hello to every parent on the playground because it is the community I love to be a small part of. Gillingstool gave me the chance to grow as a teacher, in an environment in which I feel supported and understood, as well as allowing me to feel that I understood the children and families which I am utterly privileged to serve.
Being part of a network has meant I can still serve the school I adore with a newfound support network of help and advice. This year I have had a very high needs cohort, and I have had no end of support and practical suggestions to make my curriculum, class and environment work for my class. We even had a school come and visit to support them to implement a similar structure. The key from Mosaic was focusing on what the children actually need, which in turn has enabled me to provide a curriculum that they love to learn and are an active part of shaping.