A journey from Trainee Teacher to Professional Tutor

Rhian Bowler, tells us about her journey from working in the City, to training to teach and now taking on the role of Professional Tutor to current KMT trainee teachers.

My career portfolio has included of working as a City HR Manager, a Chair of Governors at a local school and a Careers Coach, but after hearing about a local Get into Teaching Recruitment evening, I had a ‘light bulb’ moment and decided to look into a new career using my first degree, in Geography to pursue a training role in a nearby school.

Research into this new career took me to Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, where the Professional Tutor, Becky Smith kindly introduced me to the department and explained what a training contract would entail.

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training

I started my School-Centred Initial Teacher Training with KMT at the Weald of Kent Grammar School in the Geography department.

I found myself immersed as a year 7 form tutor, learning from an experienced Geography team in Tonbridge, and supported by Chris Love, the Professional tutor who guided my expertly through some challenging moments in the first year.

My B Placement at St. Gregory’s was indeed a contrast, and with the support from the team and the professional training programme from both schools that complemented the KMT programme, my core teaching practice skills developed and I successfully qualified at the end of the training year.

Becoming a Professional Tutor

After a further three years teaching Geography and Business at Weald an opportunity came up to join the Geography team at Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, and now in my second year, was successfully appointed as the Professional Tutor for trainees and responsible for new staff induction.

It will be a great opportunity to support new trainees and work closely with KMT again in my new capacity.

Rhian Bowler
Teacher of Geography & Professional Tutor
December 2023