Ibrahim Kaid completed his teacher training at Bristnall Hall Academy in 2025.
Today, he continues his teaching career at the same school, building on his skills and developing in his role. He looks back on how far he’s come – from the nerves of his first lesson to feeling confident teaching today.
Becoming comfortable in front of the class
Ibrahim describes himself as a reserved person, but he hasn’t let that hold him back. “Deep down, I’m a very reserved person. I think it’s completely false to say that being shy means you can’t be a teacher. Teaching is for anyone. If you put your mind to it, if you’re resilient, and if you’re patient with yourself you can become a good teacher.”
“In the beginning, it was nerve-wracking standing in front of a class. You’ve got lots of eyes looking in your direction. But honestly, you get used to it. You start to feel more relaxed in that environment and that’s when the confidence starts to grow.”
He has seen a huge difference in himself and his practice since training as a science teacher with our local partner Academy Transformation Trust. “I’m much calmer now and more decisive. I think on the first day, I was focused on getting through the lesson. Now I’m thinking more about the long-term learning and about the relationships I make with the pupils.”
Building confidence by learning on the job
Ibrahim chose Ambition’s Teacher Training programme because it allowed him to stay in one school throughout his training year, giving him a sense of belonging. “You do feel like you’re part of the staff. Staying at that one school really provides consistency. You’re in that school for the whole year, working on all your goals. You’ve got a whole year to work on them in the same environment.”
Throughout the training year, his responsibility gradually increased. This has helped him to adjust well to his first year as a qualified teacher. ”I started off on a light timetable and then it built up which allowed me to see what the workload would be like. It helped prepare me for this year, when I’ve got a full timetable. I still get a lot of support from my mentors and teaching staff. Even though I’ve completed my initial teacher training, I’m still learning every day, but I’m starting to trust my instincts more.”
Two pupils are writing at a desk with a tray of test tubes between them.
Being supported by evidence-informed training
“Throughout my training, I got a lot of support from my mentor and the teaching staff. They never give up on you, they back you 100%,” Ibrahim says. “My school is really supportive of professional development. While we are teaching the pupils, there’s also so much for us as teachers to learn. There are so many development opportunities and we’re constantly learning and improving.”
His teacher training is helping him thrive in the classroom as a qualified teacher today. “The programme gave me a really strong foundation in most aspects of teaching, like behaviour management and the way I think about the curriculum. It wasn’t just about teaching lessons. It really helped me understand the reasons behind why we do what we do as teachers. The training included lots of coaching and examples that helped me reflect on my teaching and improve in small, manageable steps.”
“If you’re reflecting on your own practice, then I think that’s where you’re going to do well. When you’re able to take feedback and reflect on that feedback, you can see what’s going well and where you can develop.”
Advice for new teachers
Having started his training feeling nervous, Ibrahim believes new teachers should know it’s normal to feel that way. His advice: “Be patient. The first term can feel overwhelming and that’s normal.”
“Focus on getting the basics right first: giving out clear instructions, having strong routines, trying to be consistent with behaviour management. Rely on your mentor for support and don’t compare yourself to other people. Focus on your own path and just be patient with yourself. You’ll get it in the end, and you’ll learn so many skills along the way.”
Making a lasting impact
Now in his first year as a qualified teacher, Ibrahim reflects on how he’s developed from the start of his teacher training. “I’ve been through teacher training where you develop so much and you learn so many new skills which set you up for your teaching career.”
And he’s already making a difference in the classroom. “I wanted to share my subject with pupils who maybe didn’t like science at first or didn’t think they could do well in science. It’s so rewarding seeing my pupils do well but it’s not just about making a difference to them in terms of their grades. It’s in terms of their confidence, their aspirations, and being able to give them some stability.”
“I think being consistent in the classroom is key, it helps create a place where pupils feel calm, where they have a reliable adult. That’s when you can help them believe in themselves and have a lasting impact on them.”