100 new teaching staff welcomed to Wolverhampton

The teachers, who are part of the regular intake each year in the city, were invited to an event in Wednesfield where they met members of Wolverhampton City Council's learning and achievement team and heard from experienced members of staff about what being a new teacher entails.

Among the speakers at the event were newly qualified teachers from 2013, Lauren Davies of Trinity C of E Primary School and Chana James from Wednesfield High School, a finalist in last year's newly qualified teacher of the year competition, who shared their personal stories from their first 12 months in the city.

Rebecca Orzulan, also of Trinity Primary School, described the importance of each school mentoring their newly qualified teachers to allow them to flourish and succeed.

Wolverhampton Council's education chief Councillor Phil Page said: "We highly value our teachers and the work they do and it was a privilege to meet so many of the class of 2014 who are set to bring new energy, enthusiasm and ideas to our schools.

"I'd like to wish all our new arrivals a long, happy and very successful career."

As well as hearing from teachers who began working in Wolverhampton over the last few years, the audience also met Alexandra Chilcott, the council's new head of standards and vulnerable pupils, who reaffirmed the council's commitment to working with schools to ensure the best possible outcomes for the city's young people.

They were also able to network with one another and meet representatives from organisations which will be working with the teachers and their pupils during their careers, including WAVE, the arts and museums service of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton Music Service and local activity centres.

The event was organised by the council's learning and achievement team.