How to launch your teaching career

A career in teaching is one of the most rewarding journeys you can undertake - you will play an active role in young people’s lives, inspiring and encouraging them to do more and try harder. 

But how do you launch such a career? Sure, there might be a shortage in teachers but they won’t hand a NQT status out to just anyone. To tackle this strain on the system, schools must ensure they take on the best and brightest to make up for any staff leaving: four in ten new teachers leave the profession within a year alone, so you must be prepared for the hard work that comes with such a career to ensure you do not become one of those sad statistics. 

First, know what you are getting into and where you want to teach. There are stark differences between primary and secondary school teaching including the subjects you need to specialise in, working hours and the behaviour of the children. There is no easy option to choose either, only you will know which age ranges you would prefer to work with. 

You will then need to complete a course to achieve your qualified teacher status; either a PGCE, which is based mainly within a university environment with practical work thrown in, or jump straight in at the deep end with a School Direct course, where you will find yourself teaching a full class, on your first day and train while essentially on the job. 

Employment based teaching also helps secure you a role within a school immediately after you have completed your training and provides you with a salary to keep you going for that year. A PGCE would require you to either take out a loan and apply for a grant or pay fees back with your own money over time. 

Whatever option you choose ensure you have a strong support network to help you through those long days when the children just won’t settle and the workload seems never ending – every teacher experiences it at some point.  

Within most professions, it also helps to know people and teaching is no exception. Take advantage of connections within schools near you – because no one wants to commute to their job as a teacher when they have to essentially work 55 – 63 hours a week, once you have accounted for the marking and planning that you complete at the weekend. 

However, while you might hear negative things about teaching these days (and there’s no point sugar coating the hard work that is required), remember that the career is one that can help children grow, progress and become more rounded individuals as well as encouraging them to discover what they love and are passionate about. 

We all have memories of our favourite teacher from when we were young and sitting in a classroom, so try to be that inspiring figure when you search EduStaff for a vacancy and launch your career in education.