Dr N. Sanderson
Advanced Skills Teacher for Science
Ms S. Maple
Advanced Skills Teacher for English
We asked them about their jobs and what ASTs mean for the School.
What exactly is an AST?
Ms Maple: It's a normal teacher, although if you want to be considered for an AST post you have to be recommended first by your school and governors. Then, when you apply to be an AST, you have to provide lots of evidence of high standards – things like pupils' achievement in exams, good projects that you have managed in school and a track record of working well with others, including pupils, teachers, support staff and governors. Then an external assessor comes to check your evidence and watch you teach. S/he also interviews pupils, teachers and parents about your work to see if you meet the standards. The assessor decides whether you have passed.
Why did you become an AST?
Ms Maple: AST posts were brought in to give teachers a different career path. There has been a tradition of teachers getting promoted and then having to spend more and more time out of the classroom – this happened to me. Having been Head of English in a couple of Norfolk schools, I went on to become Deputy Headteacher at my last school, but I really missed teaching English, so I applied to become an AST instead. I haven't regretted it for a minute!
Are there any benefits for the school?
Ms Maple: ASTs get involved in county projects with the Norfolk Education Advisory Service too. For example, I'm doing some extra training for newly qualified English teachers later this term. It's for teachers from across Norfolk and should go really well (I hope!) – then it will show The Blyth-Jex School in a good light and encourage even more teachers to want to come and work here.
Will there be more ASTs here at Sewell Park College?
Ms Maple: I guess that's really up to Ms Topping and the Governors. It also depends on whether other teachers are interested in becoming ASTs. The pattern of promotions and career structures in teaching is changing at the moment, so it could be difficult to predict.
Do you have any questions about ASTs and their work?
If so, please come and talk to us.