There are so many reasons to work in education – here are just a few!
The third largest in the UK in terms of employees, the education sector employs 1.5million people in the public sector – and it’s not just made up of teachers in the traditional school environment. Some work in adult and community learning, teaching in the workplace and the voluntary sector, as well as in human resources, business and finance and administration.
There is plenty of scope for different opportunities, including the potential to transform young lives.
Pay scale and promotion opportunities
Teachers are rightly paid a competitive salary now – as a newly qualified teacher you will start off earning at least £22,467 excluding London weighting. With more experience, you can earn up to £38,250 and leading practitioners up to £59,264.
Your salary does not stagnate either. All teachers are awarded a pay rise when the pay scales and allowances are updated. Subject to satisfactory performance, each September, teachers on the main pay scale move up to the next point on the scale.
Long Holidays
Not to be sniffed at are the 12 weeks – maybe more – of holiday teachers and related jobs are entitled to in a year, which means you can be off work at the same time as your children if you have any, while still being paid. However, teachers will be the first to tell you that a good percentage of this time will be devoted to administration and lesson planning, so it may not be as work-free as you might imagine.
Inspiring Young Minds
You have a unique opportunity to make a difference to someone’s life by being that teacher who truly inspires through your teaching. If you are passionate about your subject and are able to engage your audience, whatever age they are, then the job satisfaction can be huge in this job.
When a pupil struggling to understand a subject suddenly ‘gets it’, all the frustration of the job becomes worthwhile.
You will also be working with a cross section of people probably from different backgrounds, both those you teach and those you work with, making this a diverse and interesting area to work in.
Golden Handshake
If you are able to teach in certain subjects, are passionate about teaching and have a 2:1 degree or above, then you may be eligible for a Ј25,000 bursary as well as additional support and services throughout your training.
On some courses you can earn while you learn
Skills you need to teach
- To be genuinely interested in children and young people, and able to relate to them, as well as their parents
- To have a good depth of knowledge and a passion for the subject or subjects you’re going to teach
- Have excellent communication skills and be able to impart your knowledge in an accessible and interesting way
- Be confident in your ability to teach successfully
- Have great organisational and planning skills
- Be able to juggle many demands, including pupil and student needs, lesson preparation and ongoing assessments
- To be good at dealing with conflict and have the ability to diffuse difficult situations quickly and effectively
- Be able to command respect from your pupils, colleagues and parents by having integrity.
