I chose to do my PGCE at UEA as it was widely known to be one of the most innovative and hands-on Teacher Training Institutions in East Anglia.

The History course offered a wide range of opportunities which had great impact on my teaching both then and until today. Some of the most memorable workshops included guest speakers instructing us how to make use of role-plays and ‘active learning' to engage students; and experts explaining how to use artefacts effectively in lessons. Personally, the most valuable facet of the PGCE course was the focus on using ICT both to enhance learning as well as ensuring that we progressed as classroom practitioners.

Since the end of the PGCE course I have become involved in training others in using ICT both at the UEA as one of their Associate Tutors, through various county-led workshops, national conferences as well as at international workshops and training days.  I have also produced and coordinated several websites which, in a way, has been my way of saying ‘thank you' to those who trained and helped me in the past. Some of these websites include:
www.innovativehistory.net and www.flasheducation.net.

Five years on since completing my PGCE course, I am working as a Head of Department in History, the same school as I got my first appointment. I have also had the opportunity to co-write a book (100 Ideas about Teaching Skills) with my old NQT mentor Neal Watkin whom I also co-wrote an article for Teaching History magazine.

I have the University of East Anglia and the Curriculum Tutor, Terry Haydn, to thank for assisting, training and inspiring me to want to teach and to focus on my own professional development. Choosing UEA as my teacher training institution has given me all these opportunities.