Miss Primary

When looking at schools to work at, the size of the school is definitely something to take into consideration. Especially if you are ECT, it is worth weighing the pros and cons of different types of schools to see what fits you and what you’re wanting to get out of your training year. I spent my first year after training at a one-form entry school in Year 2 and loved every minute of it. However, I can admit that it wasn’t easy and I could see the appeal of the two-form entry schools that some of my worked at. I’ve also worked in very small mixed-year classes and that’s a whole other kettle of fish (and another post that I’ll write soon!) Most recently, I’ve taught in 3 form entry, loved my partner teachers and never been happier.

That being said, everyone is different, every school is different. I’ve concocted a simple list of pros and cons for you to consider. Whether you’re an early-career teacher or spent years in the same school, maybe you have a chance to try something new?

Benefits of Working at One-Form Entry Schools

• Flexibility and Freedom: Working at a one-form entry school gave me so much freedom to change things around without it affecting another class. Most two-form entry school or more share planning to ensure all children across the year group are taught the same thing – makes sense! However, this means having to stick to a timetable and not ‘fall behind’. If you’re class struggles with a lesson, it’s great to have the flexibility to spend time revisiting that concept before moving on.
• More Experience: It is at the least a different experience, but I also feel because you don’t have a partner teacher to share work and assessment ideas with, you have more to do and therefore learn more in the process.
• Closer community: Fewer people makes for more of a tight-knit community. You have a chance to get to know every adult and child within the school by name very quickly.
• More personalised support: Chances are that you are the only ECT in the school and therefore have a mentor who only has you to support.

Cons of Working at One-Form Entry Schools

• More Responsibilities: There are fewer people in school than a two or three-form school so naturally there are more responsibilities. This higher workload comes as you must plan everything rather than share with other year teachers. Also, you may have to be the subject lead for more than one subject which will take up more time and energy. If your school expect teachers to lead after-school clubs, you might have to run one every term rather than 1 or 2 over the year (something worth asking at your pre-interview visit)
• Less support: Without partner teachers, you are the only one responsible for the planning, teaching, and assessment of that year group. Other than your mentor, there are fewer opportunities for the moderation of work (unless you’re in a MAT and meet with other class teachers for SATs writing moderation meetings like I did).
• Less opportunity for personal development: If you’re an ECT, you may benefit more from being in a larger school with more teachers to observe and ask for advice from.

How to choose what’s best for you

It really does depend on you as an individual, your previous experiences, and what you feel works for you as a teacher. I’ve personally enjoyed one-form entry schools as well as bigger schools. As the years have gone on, I’ve moved more into enjoying the collaborative aspects of two or three-form schools. Becoming a mum and having a supportive team helped me continue to thrive as a teacher, mother and human being.