Queen Elizabeth High School,
Llansteffan Road,
Johnstown,
Carmarthenshire,
SA31 3NL
Dear Mr Peter Spencer,
I wish to apply for the role of Science teacher at Queen Elizabeth High School. I am currently placed in Milford
Haven School as part of my PGCE course at Aberystwyth University, so far my induction into the teaching
timetable has been successful and I look forward to expanding my teaching into other year groups and key
stages. I have enjoyed facing the challenges which have been presented to me in my teaching experience so far,
including the behavioural challenges at Milford Haven and my integration into a largely Welsh speaking school,
at Ysgol Pantycelyn, Llandovery where I was able to develop my use of the language inside and outside of the
classroom.
I consider myself to be a confident individual with a strong commitment to developing teaching and learning in
whichever educational environment I am involved. I am a reflective practitioner; where I aim to learn from
experiences and observations, continually improve my teaching. Listening and acting on advice given will allow
me to become the teacher I wish to be. My experiences as a Learning Support Assistant at a local primary
school have helped me to develop my understanding of both Additional Learning Needs and the transition
between Key stage 2 and 3.
The position at QE High is particularly appealing to me. As a past pupil of Queen Elizabeth, I am familiar with
the background, structure and ethos of the school, I thoroughly enjoyed my time attending the school as a
learner which is well fitted with the school’s aim of enjoyable learning, and as a teacher I believe I could
contribute positively to the modern and progressive school that QE High has become. Part of my time at the
school was during the merging of the two schools and I unfortunately finished 6th form before the new building
was completed, thankfully I have been able to visit the school on a work experience placement and during a
working period as an exams invigilator. I am very enthusiastic about the prospect of working in this impressive
and resourceful environment and with the staff which make the learning experience so positive and successful.
It is encouraging to see the school’s motto is still “Ymlaen Gyda’n Gilydd”, this shows how important team work
and co-operation is in the learning environment and it also demonstrates the positively bilingual nature of your
school. My personal preference for communication and the succession of the Welsh language are well fitted
with the school’s ethos and working objectives.
My teaching practice has allowed me to gain experience of KS3, KS4 and KS5 Science, my teaching has been
focused on delivering lessons for KS3 and KS4 pupils where I have taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics. My
experience of KS4 Chemistry and Physics has been limited to short periods of teaching, however I will be
teaching Chemistry and Physics at KS4 in my current placement, once the Biology topics are completed. I am
enthusiastic about teaching all three subjects as my interest and passion for Science is spread broadly across
the subject spectrum. My experience of KS5 Biology has been focused on contributing to controlled
assessments and revision sessions, I will be teaching KS5 fully following Easter.
I was fortunate to complete work experience in the Science department at QE prior to starting my PGCE so I am
familiar with the department’s success in teaching and learning. I am particularly keen on becoming involved
with a department which is focused on sharing its experience, ideas and information. My energy for teaching
and my excitement for Science means I enjoy teaching the subject across the entire range of age and ability, my
experience of working as a LSA gave me an invaluable insight into the schooling and welfare of pupils with
additional learning needs, particularly with autism. I believe my ability to engage learners by relating scientific
ideas to real world examples together with an enthusiasm for implementing modern strategies is fundamental
in my approach to teaching. I understand that the Science department follows WJEC specifications, my
teaching experience has followed the WJEC syllabus and I have experience of assisting with controlled
assessments and exam invigilating with this examination board, I am also familiar with the OCR specification at
advanced level.
I enjoy teaching using a large variety of activities and resources that I have designed, I feel that this supports
differentiated teaching where individual learning styles are considered, and the potential of all learners can be
maximised. Applying various techniques to support Assessment for Learning have also been vital in promoting
successful learning and achievement of objectives in my lessons. I have a modern and innovative approach to
using ICT in Science, for example by designing interactive puzzles or games to engage learners throughout their
lessons, I also have experience of web design and data logging. I have recently reviewed over 200 Science
resources for the Times Education Supplement and I am enjoying building and compiling a resource bank which
I would be keen to share and develop further with the Science department at Queen Elizabeth High School.
So far, I have received positive feedback for my teaching. I have received good to excellent ratings in all parts of
the QTS standards at some point during my experience. My professional standards, range of activities and
classroom management have been particularly well praised. In the areas where I am given targets, I am always
focused on working towards achieving these, as I consider positive reflection and progression to be essential
parts of maximising the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
I believe in contributing to all aspects of school life. I enjoyed tutoring a form class in my first placement, where
I was also able to deliver them lessons in PSE and I am enjoying building new relationships with the pupils in
the form class to which I have recently been assigned at Milford Haven. I think my sociable and caring
personality make me particularly suitable to the role of the form tutor and I hope I will be given the
opportunity to contribute to a form class during my year as an NQT. I have previously used my skills and
knowledge to plan and conduct a weekly after school Science club and I am currently in the process of
establishing a similar club at Milford Haven. I am also enthusiastic about organising out of school visits, as I
enjoy giving learners the opportunity to meet their teachers in a more informal environment and I think it is
important to support out of school learning. During my first placement I attended numerous visits including
Parc Y Scarlets and the Tower of London with the History department. Other skills which I am confident in using
for extra curricular learning are modern cooking and amateur photography.
I have attached my curriculum vitae containing professional references and other information together with
this letter of application.
Diolch am ddarllen fy nghais.
Thank you for reading my application.
Yours sincerely,
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