Diploma Diary by Sandra Pennyfather
I have just completed the RoSPA Diploma in Advanced Driver Instruction. It’s Friday afternoon and I am driving along the
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Sandra Pennyfather |
motorway on my way home. A huge grin is on my face and to be honest I’m feeling quite proud of myself. I have gained masses of benefit from the week long course and am brimming with confidence in my abilities as an instructor. Was it really only five days ago that I had arrived at RoSPA Headquarters, convinced that I was a poor instructor? What had happened to this Driving Instructor that had been full of anxiety and self-doubt? How had this metamorphosis been possible? This is my ‘Diploma Diary’.
Sunday 14th November 2004
Joining Instructions read, presentation prepared and everything packed. I know the route, done my P.O.W.E.R. check. Said goodbye to Keith, my husband, and the Children – set off to Birmingham. What am I doing? Found RoSPA Headquarters and my hotel. Checked in, unpacked, food, television and sleep, if I can!
Monday 15th November 2004
Here goes deep breath, dry my clammy palms and into RoSPA, I’m so nervous. Okay I’ve signed in and found the training room, so far so good. “You must be Sandra” a friendly voice said as I entered the room. How does he know me? Ah ha! Only female on the course, don’t panic. “I’m Mick Kemp one of your instructors, Peter Murtagh my colleague is solving a technical hiccup and will be with us shortly.” Calming down slightly, I sat down and began to fill in the registration form, name address and phone number, easy so far: List qualifications - I haven’t got any of these, feel sure that I am out of my depth! “Come on Sandra, you have to start somewhere” I thought.
Peter has arrived. Introductions next this should be straight forward enough. Ahhhh! Most of the people in this room have more experience than I. These two train ADIs, he has got a Certificate in Education, a Regimental Sergeant Major, oh, and another ADI teaching learners, phew! Introductions over, I didn’t trip over my tongue, what’s next? Mick covers the course introduction, using humour to break the ice. Watch a couple of informative videos. I feel myself starting to relax. Time for lunch. Much calmer now.
Driving assessments this afternoon, I can still drive can’t I? Don’t be silly just get in the car and do your stuff, your a Gold Standard driver. What am I doing? Late gear changes, harsh braking at a roundabout, poor line through that bend? We park. Come on then, give it to me straight, that was pathetic. “I thought that went well” said my assessor. “Really”? “Yes, one or two minor errors. Completely understandable concidering the stress we’re under today, a good systematic drive.” Yippee it’s not just me feeling the pressure!
I assess one of the other candidates on the course, this guy trains ADIs, what do I know? Here goes. My debrief was fine, Peter is really encouraging and has great knowledge, I admire him. Day One, done and dusted. Back to my hotel, bite to eat then down to business. Finishing touches to my presentation and a spot of revision before bed, Roadcraft of course.
Tuesday 16th November 2004
Not so nervous this morning, just as well or I would be seeking psychiatric help by the end of the week! In the training room today, should mean I get to know the other members of the group a little better. Mick is running through the items on the agenda - Information Overload! I need coffee my brain is about to explode! More, more, more information – all important stuff, how on earth will I remember this lot? Lunch.
Presentations this afternoon, not too worried by this as I have a sales background. Done all my preparation, know my stuff but: Is it what they are looking for? Is it too light hearted? Are my slides okay? Self doubt, self doubt, self doubt. Here goes! It was a bit short, but on the whole that went well – lets watch the others. I feel great, I can do what I love doing, help others to achieve. One or two of the presentations need a bit of work. I at last feel that I can contribute to what is rapidly becoming a team, hurrah!! Bit of a late finish, well worth it, I enjoyed today. Back to hotel, eat, and read all the information from this morning. Brain spinning out of control, I try to sleep.
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Sandra (centre) with her fellow delegates and trainers; Mick Kemp (far left) and Peter Murtagh (back, second from right) |
Wednesday 17th November 2004
Not a good start to today, unfortunately one of the team has had to return home this morning, this has left us all feeling a little flat, I hope all goes well. No time to dwell, out on the road for the whole of day three. Pre-drive checks done and off we go. What on earth is instructional commentary? Peter demonstrates, oh, I can do that! Okay this is harder than it looks, driving standard has taken a nosedive and I sound like I have just arrived from a different planet! Listen to Peter, he will put me straight. Yes, I see, I’ll give it another go – better, I need to practice a lot more if I am to pass on Friday. Pub for lunch (diet coke of course).
I’m not looking forward to this afternoon’s session on instruction, I am concerned about my ability to teach, can my learners be correct when they say that I am a good instructor – I have my doubts. Role play lesson, hear goes: I start to instruct, “No! Handbrake first, then check it’s in neutral, start the engine,” I went on, and on, and on, and on! I didn’t ask one question or allow the pupil time to settle, do I really do this for a living? I’m trying to put on a show and its not working. Peter is such a help offering lots of advice. I know I just need to relax and be myself, not as easy as it sounds, given the environment. Back to RoSPA House and then to the hotel. I’ve got masses to achieve tonight, no time for eating just a quick sandwich and down to work. I must get my head around the instructional commentary and plan my response to the different types of pupil that Peter is going to throw at me tomorrow.
Is that the phone? Its home, I chat to the children Tom (13) and Charlotte (11), I miss them. “Is Dad there”? “Hi” is all I manage to mutter before I become tearful, I’m tired, have convinced myself that I am unlikely to pass the course, and would give anything to be at home. Keith, my husband, and I have a long chat, he somehow manages to convince me that I will pass the course and what’s more I will do it well. He’s brilliant! Can’t do any more tonight I’m too tired. The England match is on the telly, so time for bed. Zzzzzzz!
Thursday 18th November 2004
Do I feel better today or what! Isn’t sleep wonderful. Fully refreshed and having given myself a stern talking to, it’s off to RoSPA House. In the vehicle all day again today, work hard and improve. I can drive whilst giving an instructional commentary, I am far more relaxed when assessing and teaching; I feel much better. Peter is encouraging and seems to be happy with what I’m doing. Back to RoSPA. I’ve decided not to work on anything tonight – if its not there by now it never will be! It’s a meal at TGI Fridays with some of the team, just what the doctor ordered.
Friday 19th November 2004
Test Day. I can do this, I Can Do This, I CAN DO THIS! Why do I feel so sick, this is ridiculous, at least I know how my pupils feel at the test centre. The examination today is in three parts and I’m up for the drive and instruction first; Bob Smalley my examiner seems really nice and has done everything he can to put me at my ease. Off we go, drive seems to be going okay. I am reasonably happy with my commentary and instructional commentary. Time to swap over so that Peter can drive and role play, stay calm and do your stuff, I’m relatively relaxed and in full instructional flow, confident that I have spotted faults and am doing something about them. This would be a good time to remind myself DON’T OVER INSTRUCT! What are we doing back at RoSPA; surely that’s not an hour is it? Parked I debrief Peter’s role play. What did Bob think? Positive comments from him I think. I won’t discover my results for sure until next week!
Next the theory test. Read the first three questions and my brain has completely deleted any knowledge of the Highway Code and Roadcraft, nothing not even a stopping distance! Not a clue! Breathe, don’t panic and have another look. Have found the restore facility in my brain and suddenly my pencil is franticly marking the paper and writing answers with confidence. Finished, checked and handed in, job done. Lunch – how can I eat?
The final part of today’s exam is the presentation. I’ve put my heels on as they make me feel tall and authoritative; at least I look the part. My turn, here goes. Ten minutes to the second, presentation delivered to be best of my ability and with no hitches. I’ve done it!
I am happy with the way that all three elements of the exam have gone. I have worked hard, but, have I achieved my target of qualifying as an Advanced Instructor? Will I be able to gain entry to the DSA’s Fleet Register? Only time will tell. From the feedback I have received from Bob, Peter and Mick, I’m in with a good chance of a pass, I think.
Phew what a week!
It only leaves the team to tidy up, say our good byes, and a huge thank you to Peter and Mick and get on our way!
Wednesday 24th November 2004
Contacted Driver and Fleet Solutions today, was informed that I have passed the course. Not just passed but gained a Distinction. Oh happy days!
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