I’m such a wimp.
12:20 pm on the 8th of December, 2006It’s all dawned on me. Again. I’m adding my details to the GTCS website so that I can become registered. One of the first screens is this one.
I think I might leave it until next week. It’s got a certain feel of finality to it. I’m pretty certain I know what I’ll put down but I still can’t bring myself to do it yet.
The other day I phoned up my teacher from when I was a pupil to ask his thoughts about returning. He asked me a question that caught me off guard : “Are you any good?”
It’s funny, I was really nervous while the phone was ringing, I don’t know why, my hands were visibly shaking. As soon as we got talking though I felt fine about the whole thing, while I don’t think I answered his question very well I feel comfortable enough with what my answer would be if I were asked again. Maybe that helps me make up my mind. I’ve got a similar nervous feeling now, I don’t normally get nervous about anything in this way.
It seems like such a big decision that I’m not prepared for, despite the fact I have been considering it for a long time. My mind hasn’t changed drastically recently so I’m just going to go ahead and fill in the form, wish me luck.
Update: 
Well, I’ve done it. No £6k bounty money for me. All I can do now is wait until May when I should find out which council I get allocated to.
December 8th, 2006 at 1:20 pm on the 8th of December, 2006
hmm. Out of interest, do you have any info on how likely you are to get these choices?
My guess would be there are certain regions each year which are over-subscribed, and so these people get 2nd, 3rd, 4th choices. I’d guess the big cities fall in to these categories, though you may surprise me. If fact, if I’d had to ‘rank’ your 5 in my suspected order of popularity, I’d probably go for the same order you have! I’m just looking at transport links etc here. Plus the ‘pull’ that cities exert. The desire to be able to get home, see friends etc in what will be a year without roots for most people will mean that people will try and make choices that ensure they can go visiting at weekends.
December 8th, 2006 at 2:17 pm on the 8th of December, 2006
I couldn’t tell you how likely it is I go anywhere, the GTCS doesn’t seem to have any stats readily available, and the session with them today didn’t reveal much other than people who chose to waive their preferences more often than not got the Highlands.
I suppose in order of popularity my five might be put in that order, but its’ hard to tell, there are so many new teachers each year. And there are still a lot of areas that will probably get picked before my ones. For example : Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire.
I just have to wait and see, the places I’ve put down would all be fine, the first two would be better for lots of boring reasons as well as some teaching reasons.
December 8th, 2006 at 3:21 pm on the 8th of December, 2006
Shame we in Argyll & bute got kicked off the list Stuart! Much closer to the central belt than many people think, A&B has just the right combination of ‘country’, ‘town’ and ‘island’ life (IMHO :-D). For example, I’m only 40 minutes away on a direct train link from the west end of Glasgow, yet beautiful countryside is just minutes from my door. An exciting place to teach too, with some innovative educational initiatives underway. However…
December 8th, 2006 at 4:15 pm on the 8th of December, 2006
And I am only 30 mins from the centre of Glasgow via the 2 daily flights
Her ends the ad for A&B
December 9th, 2006 at 9:56 am on the 9th of December, 2006
I hope things work out for you next year - I’m sure they will. By the way you didn’t answer the question - are you any good?
December 11th, 2006 at 10:11 pm on the 11th of December, 2006
I would have like to have put Argyll and Bute down as well but unfortunately there are only 5 spaces and I think I’ve had enough time in the west for a while. I would love to visit more of the areas though, especially Islay.
Didn’t I answer the question? Oh well, that must have been an accident… I’m just a little bit too modest to talk openly about that but since you asked, I think I am good. Good considering the stage I am at, and in a good position to go on and become even better. That’s the short answer, but it’s all you’re getting for now.
December 14th, 2006 at 9:48 pm on the 14th of December, 2006
Glad to see EL is your first choice.
I am sure you will find your ‘feet’, wherever you are posted.
January 8th, 2007 at 11:32 pm on the 8th of January, 2007
Interesting to see you went for EL as first choice. My girlfriend is from there and it was a real possibility as it has such a good reputation. I am now looking at the serious possibility of heading to Shetland to do my probationary year. It’s the realisation of how important it is to get a good start and my girlfriend speaks highly of Shetland Council. Anyway, keep me up to date with how EL is going. Best of luck
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