Welcome to the news page which provides information relating to Advanced Skills Teachers. 

Reasons for becoming an AST -  Polly Redmond, Design and Technology AST.....

I was looking for a way forward in education which involved staying with classroom teaching, but going outside the restrictions of schemes of work and specifications of GCSE classes.

I wanted to be able to help Design and Technology become a more exciting area to teach and to be taught, removing the worry of (especially in primary schools) pupils doing practical work.  Alongside Design and Technology, I was also interested in sharing good practice, involving other aspects of teaching with staff, for example differentiation and assessment for learning. 

Since qualifying as an AST in 2004, I have completed so many exciting projects, met some amazing, highly motivated and devoted people, not just in schools but in the community as well.  The experiences I have had have improved my teaching and knowledge, as well as allowing my expertise to be used.

Some examples of the diverse projects I have completed are: 

*  Year 6 visits to Hamerton zoo looking at animal diets.
*  Demonstrating low fat cooking at a community weight loss group.
*  Helping out and planning primary school Design and Technology weeks.
*  Mentoring trainee teachers.
*  Whole school presentation and training in AFL.

Every project started is different, different requirements, different audiences and different objectives.

I thoroughly enjoy my job and continue to be amazed by the amount of new and exciting ideas we can put into our teaching.