ABSTRACT
Your professional development during your first year of teaching is greatly enhanced if the school appoints a member of staff to act as your mentor. Whereas many schools now appoint an experienced teacher to act as mentor to a newly arrived member of staff, especially a NQT, it cannot be taken for granted that such a system is in place in your school. In the absence of such staffing support, it is highly likely that you have the support of the head of the department in which you work, or another experienced colleague in your department. It is important that you establish before arrival whether or not a mentor programme is in place in your new school, who your mentor is and the terms of your relationship.
