Cheney People - Mr Haines, Apprentice English Teacher and Year 7 Tutor

Seeing as it's National Apprenticeship Week this week, we asked our Apprentice English Teacher and Year 7 Tutor, Mr Haines, about why, and how he got into teaching.

The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) is one year training programme (September-July) consisting of four days a week on-the-job training in your employed school, with one a day a week off-the-job training at a local training hub.You can find out more here: https://ott-scitt.org.uk/apprenticeship/

Without a doubt, the best thing about my job is the students and the amazing Cheney community—I genuinely love working here and look forward to knowing that every day will be different. I love working with young people, helping to shape them into the very best citizens for the next generation. I particularly enjoy the pastoral side of the job (as you'd expect, having previously been a Pastoral Leader, Head of Student Progress (HoSP) and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)), and being a Year 7 tutor this year, has been a particular highlight. I've been here for over 7 years and can't imagine working anywhere else.

I really enjoyed school and particularly enjoyed English - I had a great relationship with my English teacher in Year 10 and 11, and she inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. When you speak to adults and ask them about a significant event or memory from their childhood, it will almost always include a teacher who believed in and encouraged them, and made a difference to their lives - this is why I do what I do.

I am one of those teachers who has always wanted to be a teacher. I remember taking the register of my teddy bears when I was about 6 y/o and now I get to do this every day with real people! I love working with young people and supporting them to become the best versions of themselves and a valuable member of society; teaching is not just about grades, it's about ensuring students are supported both pastorally and academically, to progress in whichever next steps they wish to pursue, and to be well-rounded individuals.

Outside of work, I love reading and have recently been given a new Kindle. I enjoy country walks, baking and also have two very needy indoor cats who keep me on my toes.

My best achievement has to be my career path. I left school at 16 with good GCSEs but was uncertain about how to get into the world of teaching without going down the usual academic route of Sixth Form and University. I started working straight away, originally in IT in a school. I then started studying for a degree through The Open University, alongside both my full-time and a part-time job.

I moved to Cheney in a pastoral role and worked my way through various positions, most recently as the DSL for the school. This year, the SCITT (local teacher training hub) began offering a Teaching Apprenticeship so with the support of the school, I applied and began this in September; I haven't looked back since and don't regret it at all. I've been grateful to be able to stay at a school I love, whilst completing my teacher training and still earning - something I didn't think would be possible. I'm a big advocate for the non-traditional career routes. If you work hard, anything is possible and whilst it may take longer than originally planned, your dream career is always within reach.