Aidan Jenkins - Honorary Teaching Fellow

I came into teaching at the age of 30. Previously having been an accountant and a housing officer. Whilst taking a year off travelling with my wife, I took time to reflect upon what really made me feel challenged but satisfied professionally. Working within the Scouting movement coupled with my love for maths brought me to the profession most of my family were already a part of. Teaching.

I remember vividly my two PGCE placements. I had the constant support, challenge and friendships from university. The variation came in schools. My first placement saw me without a key, login or any sense of belonging with the school. My second placement was the opposite. OFSTED judgements totally to one side, I knew I had found my place. That was the start of my journey at the school I am still based at. It all began with being met with a smile.

Fast forward over 15 years I am now immensely privileged to be the person at that same school, and now many others, meeting and greeting new trainees. I have never forgotten how I felt coming to a new school, the nerves, trepidation, but above all the enthusiasm and drive to inspire the pupils that all trainees have. My goal is that working alongside Warwick, we can champion the support trainees receive and eradicate the variation I experienced between schools.

I represent a large number of schools, all of whom passionately believe, and are part of, the truly immense work the Centre for Teacher Education at Warwick University do. Together we steer the learning pathway for the trainees. My voice being part of the close link between the school and the university. I support the recruitment and interviewing of applicants, the hands-on training of the whole cohort during their training year and also the pastoral care of those who may need support through the Fitness To Practise panel.

My current role is as the Director of the very successful Futures Teaching Alliance. I am determined to Support, Nurture and Challenge my pupils, trainees, ECTs, staff, university and myself, to be the best we can all possible be.

Outside of school I am a proud husband, as well as a father to two gorgeous kids. I play football once a week and in my quest to push myself, in the last few years I have learnt to Sky Dive and also Scuba Dive.

If back in my twenties I would have been told of where I would be now, with an amazing family, an Honorary Fellowship, working together with potential trainees through to Head teachers and leaders from the world renowned Warwick university I would have been genuinely utterly shocked. You can shape your future.

There is no shame in trying your best and deciding teaching isn’t for you. The only shame is if you don’t try.