At Teach West London, we take great pride in seeing our trainees thrive as Early Career Teachers (ECTs). In this inspiring reflection, Teach West London alumnus Zach shares what his first half term as a Primary ECT has really been like – the challenges, the lessons, and the joy of seeing his training come to life. 

“My first half term as an Early Career Teacher has been everything I imagined and more; exciting, challenging, exhausting, and at times wonderfully unpredictable. But every moment has reminded me why I chose this profession and why the journey to get here was so worthwhile. 

Looking back over the past eight weeks, I’ve realised that almost every decision I’ve made in my classroom can be traced back to my training with Teach West London. Whether it’s using the planning grid to truly understand what I’m teaching, revisiting key strategies from our Monday sessions, or drawing on advice from my past mentor or Director of ITT - Primary& SEND Specialist Programmes, Liza, I can see how every piece of training has shaped my practice. The resources, discussions, and shared experiences from that time continue to guide me daily. 

During my training year, I was fortunate to work in a warm, welcoming primary school. For my ECT years, I’ve taken a new step into a wonderful special school, a transition that, at first, felt daunting. I found myself questioning how my training would translate to this new context and which parts would truly apply. 

But I soon returned to a piece of advice given to us in our very first Monday session: “You are not training to be a special teacher, or a maths teacher, you are training to be an exceptional primary teacher, one who is well-rounded and adaptable.” 

That message has stayed with me and proven invaluable. It reminded me that great teaching is grounded in universal principles: knowing your pupils, building strong relationships, and helping every child to succeed. Whether in mainstream or special education, our methods may differ but our purpose and our desired outcomes remain the same. 

This first term has reaffirmed that teaching is a profession of constant reflection and growth. Every challenge is an opportunity to adapt, every success a reminder of why we do what we do. I’ve learned to celebrate the small wins, to seek advice without hesitation, and to trust that the foundations built during training will carry me through even the most unpredictable days. 

To those currently training, hold onto that passion that brought you here. Your training is not just preparation; it’s the toolkit you’ll keep returning to, the anchor that steadies you as you find your rhythm in the classroom. Teaching will stretch you, surprise you, and fill you with a sense of purpose unlike anything else. 

And as I close my first half term as an ECT, I can honestly say: it’s been a whirlwind but one I wouldn’t trade for anything.” 

Thank you to Zach for sharing his insights. We’re so pleased to see our newly qualified teachers making such a positive difference in their schools and communities. 

If you’re considering starting your own teacher training journey, find out more about how Teach West London can support you here. 

 

Thank you to Teach West London ITT Alumnus, Zach H for sharing his first school term experience.

Ready to start your own journey into teaching? Train to teach with us from September 2026 - click here to apply.