Navigating the early years in teaching: practical tips for ECTs

Just like learning to drive, learning to teach only really starts in earnest when you are finally qualified to be “on the road”. The fast and furious demands on your time will continue to come in many guises and unforeseen circumstances will be commonplace, because (thankfully!) the children we teach are not numbers on a spreadsheet or AI generated.

Those who choose to join the profession do so because they want a rewarding career that matters, but sadly it is well-known that approximately one-third of new teachers leave the profession within five years (Department for Education). We know that there is always more that schools and government can, and should, do to ease the pressure on teachers. However, prioritising your mental health and adopting some practical strategies can make a huge difference when navigating the first part of your teaching journey.

Whilst there is no “one size fits all” solution, I hope that some of the strategies below, shared by experienced colleagues, will help you manage your wellbeing throughout your career.

Believe in yourself – but ask for support when you need it

You are a qualified professional doing an excellent job in often difficult circumstances. But sometimes your inner critic’s voice can become overwhelming. You could name and shame them, give it name (Voldemort works for me!) that makes you laugh and when they rear their ugly head, call them out on it; tell them to get back in their box and remind them who they are speaking to. Making conscious our self-doubt can help us beat it.

With this reinforced confidence, don’t be afraid to speak up if a deadline is unrealistic or you're not comfortable with what you've been asked to do. We ask our students to do this all the time as clear communication makes everything easier, so why not us? It is better to be realistic with what you can achieve within a given timeframe. Imagine the goodwill if you manage to submit work before a deadline, rather than overpromising and underdelivering!

Saying no and creating boundaries will give you space to breathe and can change how colleagues interact with you. Be solution-focused when discussing workload with colleagues and line managers - who knows, you may find a way forward that is better for everyone involved. A good place for free tips and advice is this free guide for teachers on saying no and setting boundaries.

Share your concerns and seek support when you need to.  You may be new to teaching, but you are a valued member of the team just like everyone else. Seek out the more experienced colleagues as they will have practical advice and reassurance in abundance.

It doesn’t matter how good or experienced you are, some lessons just won’t hit the mark, for whatever reason. That’s OK, you’re only human. Reflect on what could be done differently next time. Don’t forget - there are forces beyond our control that will ruin a well-planned lesson; the IT system disintegrates, an argument in the lunch queue and difficult circumstances at home can all impact a class dynamic. Tomorrow is another day.

Protect your time

Try not to bring work home, dedicate non-negotiable “no schoolwork” time, especially at weekends. This will help replenish your energy levels so when you do sit down to tackle that marking you will be more efficient and effective.

Plan the break times throughout the week that are “non-negotiable” and put them into your timetable at the start of the year – they will be something to look forward to during the week. And planning your life outside of work is just as important, making time for yourself, family and interests. When you write your to do list on a Monday morning make sure you put personal ‘to dos’ on there too. You can try this free exercise for teachers on how to re-charge in 3 minutes or less for some ideas.

Work smarter not harder

Frontload resources as much as reasonably possible. For example, photocopying worksheets or resources at the start of each half term can give you an extra couple of minutes most days with your morning brew.  

Utilise technology to your advantage – but only when it saves you time. This can be tricky with all the online resources out there, so try not to get too bogged down with it all. How often do you use AI? It really can reduce planning time by a lot. But be mindful of how you use AI – it can reduce authenticity. Do you use a list making app to help plan your daily tasks?

 

Build relationships and stay connected

The pace of life in any school can sometimes make us forget the importance of staying connected with others. Whilst this might go against the grain of leaving work at school – helping with extra-curricular shows, performances or sports fixtures, allows you to see your students in a positive light (even ones you may have found challenging). It can also help you connect with colleagues in another way. If you feel comfortable to and want to, join in with afterschool staff social events - a Friday get-together, or end of term social, for example. 

Get to the staffroom whenever you can. This can sometimes seem a daunting place at a new school, but as well as enabling you to make friends, staffrooms are a hotbed of hints and tips to make your day that little bit easier. Try to leave work on a high - make a positive phone call or email home the last thing you do on a Friday. This will be the last thing you remember about the week – no matter how stressful it has been.

Emails

Whilst making communication faster, emails increasingly take up more and more of our working day. We can all feel pressurised into instant responses, so here is a list of advice to cultivate a healthy inbox:

• Don’t respond to everything – no one will be offended if you don’t always reply with a polite thank you. If you really must reply, the outlook “thumbs up” emoji will normally suffice!
• Think about when you send emails – can it be delayed and sent in the morning rather than later in the afternoon or evening? This will reduce the amount of out of hours responses you receive and helps set a clear boundary. If you don’t respond after office hours, people will think twice about sending the email in the first place.
• Emails can be a great way of working more flexibly. However, it’s probably fair to say that you should turn off email notifications on your phone. Only access them when you choose to open the app on your phone or device, as something may pop into your inbox that worries or upsets you and it can ruin the time you had worked so hard to protect.
• A good place to start is by checking out Education Support’s free resources on how teachers can set boundaries around technology in this free webinar or blog.

Men in early career teaching

Currently In the UK, men remain underrepresented in teaching—only 24% of teachers are male, with figures dropping to just 14% in primary schools (DofE 2023).

Role models

This lack of representation can lead to feelings of added pressure to act as role models. Male teachers are often expected to follow the “stay strong” stereotype and deal with mental health challenges internally.  It is important to acknowledge that seeking support is not a weakness, rather a sign of professionalism and self-awareness – so ensure you seek and embrace support available!

Up to 24% of state schools have no male teachers at all (TES 2023).  Which means it is perhaps of no surprise that male staff can feel isolated in schools and departments.  If this is you, try to connect with other male staff in your school - even quick informal chats can help reduce feelings of isolation. You may also want to contact male teaching groups online or local networks where male teachers share experiences. 

If you are a man in the profession and would like more tips on supporting yourself, or if you would like to know how to support men in your education setting, then take a look at Supporting men in teaching by head Darren Morgan.

And finally…

Whilst undeniably rewarding, teaching is an extremely demanding profession. By setting boundaries, seeking support, and finding joy in the everyday, you’ll be thriving in your career and making a lasting impact on those you teach. 

Education Support have a wealth of free mental health and wellbeing resources including guides, tools and videos on their website for teachers on their website. Save their website to your favourites tab.

And don’t forget about Education Support’s free emotional support helpline for teachers and education staff. When you call, you’ll talk to a qualified counsellor. The helpline will offer you immediate, confidential emotional support. Don’t wait for a crisis to call: 08000 562 561 

Good luck!

Adam Jones has over 20 years of experience in secondary education. He has held a range of leadership roles at various schools in the Surrey area including Head of Department, Director of Sixth Form, and Assistant Headteacher.