From attending a week of Work Experience at Crook Log School I have learnt a variety of new skills. I have learnt how to use a photocopier and a laminator, I have learnt to be more independent and reliable, I have learnt to communicate better, I have learnt to listen and follow instructions better, I have learnt to be aware of hazards and act upon them quickly but safely, I have learnt how to back up documents, I have learnt how to manage my own time and I have learnt to take advice.
At times I enjoyed my Work Experience Placement; it made me appreciate the hard work and care which goes into teaching. I liked working with the children and helping them to learn and improve their education. I enjoyed seeing their happiness, excitement and enthusiasm to learn. At times the Work Experience Placement was hard work, tiring and pressurizing. The main reason I think the Work Experience Placement was very tiring is because of my long journey, I traveled to Crook Log Primary School by getting on two busses which lasted for an hour, this journey is very long and boring and wore me out a lot. Another reason why I found the job tiring is because the children are very dominant with my time; they kept me busy all the time by asking me to explain questions and asking for help, I had minimum time to rest which I had not been used to.
My Work Experience Placement lived up to my expectations, I thought I would enjoy and learn from it which I have. It has enlightened me and made me question whether I would want this type of job for a career. From doing work experience it has helped me to decide on my future career. Work Experience has made me want to become a teacher even more and I can’t wait until I have a class of my own. If I was to have another chance to do Work Experience I would definitely go to a Primary School, I would not go back to Crook Log School instead I would go to a private School so I could see how different schools teach.
During the week I did not encounter any problems, if I did, I would have confronted Mrs Coxs and she said we would have resolved the problem together so we were both happy.
The best part of my Work Experience Placement has to be working with the children and helping their education. I have always loved children and I think working with them would be a perfect job for me. I liked it when the children read their books to me, even though they were all ‘Biff and Chip’ books and I had heard each book at least five times! I liked it when the children asked me to help them with problems which they were having, this made me feel useful, appreciated and made me proud.
I worked generally just with Mrs Coxs and Class 1/2 and I feel I got on well with them and I feel I communicated well. I think I was polite and showed a lot of enthusiasm. I think Class 1/2 and Mrs Coxs both liked me, appreciated my hard work and enjoyed my company just as much as I enjoyed theirs.
On the Wednesday of Work experience it was the schools practice Sports Day which was amusing. The theme was the Olympics. The School had made simple events which the children could do which represented an Olympic event. The events looked so good I myself had to have a go, which was very amusing when I slipped on the mat and fell flat on my face but I wont go to much into that as I still would like to hold my head up high.
Unfortunately there are no young people opportunities at my placement. To work here you need to have a degree and a qualification in teaching, so I am unable to work here until I myself get qualifications to teach.
There are many advantages to this type of work; you are often rewarded as you gain a sense of achievement as you see the difference you have made on the children’s education. You feel proud of your self, useful, enthusiastic and very worth while. This job is a very happy job and the only downfall to it is that sometimes it can be tiring, pressurized and hard work. This is because the children are dominant with the teacher’s time.
I enjoyed working at Crook Log Primary School and would like to go back there when I am older to work as a teacher. I warn you though if any of you are thinking about becoming a teacher it is hard work and not always fun and enjoyable!
By Emily Hannick 10.1