Sink or swim? Learning Lessons from Newly Qualified and Recently Qualified Teachers

Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International have for the last five years been undertaking research, commissioned by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, into the experiences of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) and recently qualified teachers (RQTs).

The final stage of the research investigated the impact of pupil behaviour on the recruitment and retention of NQTs and RQTs and the training and support they received before and after entering the classroom.

Key findings from the research included: (1) teachers’ perceptions of the training they had received on behaviour management and dealing with indiscipline deteriorated as they became more experienced in the job. Almost half of NQTs were dissatisfied with the training they had received once they had been in employment for two terms; (2) a consistent call for more practical training rather than abstract theories. They want to see more practical training in dealing with behaviour management, including the opportunities to learn through observing and working with other teachers; (3) poor pupil behaviour impacts on the recruitment and retention of NQTs; (4) pupil indiscipline continues to impact negatively on teacher practice and classroom confidence and potentially impedes the drive to raise standards.

You can download the full report free below.