Poppy Oldham

Adaptable and driven individual, committed to fostering a positive learning environment and providing students with disruption-free and in-depth learning. Currently completing School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) with United Teaching in the subject Secondary Science- Biology, during which I will gain QTS and a PGCE with BathSpa University, with the course finishing in July 2025. My main placement school is Parkside Community College in Cambridge, at which I teach both KS3 and KS4 classes, following the United learning curriculum. During this, I have developed significant time management skills, as effective planning and time management are critical in ensuring lessons are delivered effectively. I have also researched and analysed critical pedagogical texts and theories as part of my PGCE assignments which has improved my teaching practice significantly. Deciding to complete school centred training has been extremely effective in allowing me to develop not only an understanding of teaching as a subject but also actively practice and perfect my teaching strategy through working as a teacher. This has also allowed me to teach parts of the curriculum I had previously never taught, as a large proportion of the KS3 strands I am teaching this academic year is Physics and Chemistry, so building my ability to teach these modules effectively has been invaluable. Looking to use and develop these skills in a position as an early career teacher (ECT).