Andrew Burr

I am currently responsible for the delivery of both English and maths Functional Skills to both apprentices in the work place and groups of learners in what is known as a Study Programme at North Lancs Training Group. For both sets of learners, I am also responsible booking exams as well as recording learner progress for all learners.

Before my current position, I was teaching and coordinating GCSE English and all levels of Functional Skills in both English and Maths to a number of young adult learners of various abilities at the Myerscough College campuses of Blackburn and Manchester. I enjoy teaching and I had been working there for 20 years, and in that time, I managed to achieve my PGCE which began in 2011 and which I completed in 2014. Whilst I was studying for my PGCE,I discovered that I have a humanistic approach to teaching- I think of not just the academic needs of the learner but of the learner's emotional needs as well. By doing so, I often find that by putting learner's first in this approach, I believe that they have a greater chance of success in achieving a qualification whether it be in English or Maths or any vocational area that they have chosen. In the last few years, the subjects of English and Maths have become increasingly more important in F.E. Colleges and as a result I have attended several Parent's Evenings and made telephone calls to parents and carers to discuss each learner's progress as well as writing Progress Reports. I pride myself on being able to communicate effectively with parents and staff. In fact, I consider myself to be a highly valued and respected member of the teaching staff at both North Lancs Training Group and as was the case during my employment at Myerscough College by both peers and students alike. Indeed, one of my greatest achievements in my teaching career so far, whilst at Myerscough was to be awarded the first ever presentation of ‘Outstanding Tutor of the Year' in 2012, having been nominated by a wide variety of staff themselves from chefs to managerial staff. The acknowledgement was of great significance to me, as my whole teaching career has been based upon my being passionate about a full, rich and satisfying educational experience for all, regardless of ability or disability. To be acknowledged by the students meant an incredible amount to me, as they are the ones that keep me focused on the fresh demands and challenges of teaching and on my own passion for assisting each and every student to reach their full potential.

To keep up to date with new strategies/resources and in learning new skills, I undertake 30 hours of CPD per year. This is something I enjoy as it can be a chance to share good practice with other members of the teaching staff and not just English and Maths tutors. This teamwork practice reinforces my good relationship with the staff at NLTG as it did with the vocational members of the college.

During my years of teaching, there may have been matters that arose that involved both vocational tutor and myself. For example, if learner attendance was becoming an issue, I would liaise with the learner's vocational tutor to discuss ways forward whether it would be to issue an academic warning(as outlined in the College policy) or to find means of helping the learner attend if they are not at fault. This could be a timetabling issue or an issue of transport and the learner not being able to get into college. Teamwork is paramount to achieve learner success. And having registers that must tally with vocational staff registers is just one key to good attendance.

A significant challenge facing teachers within the classroom environment is of students with emotional and behavioural issues. I have become, through experience, very confident in identifying and controlling difficult behaviour from students. I acknowledge this aspect of any teaching role and am proactive in managing potential conflict, preferring to diffuse incidents. I do believe, that, as with a lot of situations, excellent communication skills are pivotal to successful and peaceful outcomes, as well as a good sense of humour, a trait I strongly believe in. There may be situations in the everyday working life that requires a high level of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills which can be considered crucial and inspirational in classroom management. Health and Safety in and out of the classroom is pivotal to my teaching ethos and this includes managing behaviour.

• In my leisure time, I like to pursue my interest of songwriting and recording. I am a multi instrumentalist who performs in a local band, predominantly playing the guitar, up and down the north west of England. It is something that I really enjoy and I find it to be thoroughly therapeutic as well. During the last year, I have, as part of a band, had an album been published on Spotify and other social platforms.