Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018 - 140

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ducation is the third
largest sector in the UK
in terms of workforce,
employing 1.5 million
people in the public
sector alone. This doesn't
just include teachers in a traditional
school environment - some teachers
work in adult and community learning,
while others teach in the workplace
and the voluntary sector. There are also
roles in human resources, business and
finance and administration. There are
many advantages to becoming a teacher;
here's how and why it may appeal.

Long holidays
The 12-plus weeks of holiday those working
in school environments are entitled to
each year aren't to be sniffed at. For one
thing, if you have children it means you'll
be off at the same time as them while
still being paid, avoiding costly childcare.
However, ask any teacher and they'll tell
you a good percentage of the break is
devoted to admin and lesson planning, so
it may not be as work-free as you'd like!

Competitive salaries
Newly qualified teachers earn at least
£22,917 (more in London thanks to
weighting). With experience, you can
earn up to £38,633, while leading
practitioners - such as heads of year -
can earn up to £59,857, or more if you
are promoted into management roles.
Teachers are awarded pay rises when
the pay scales and allowances are updated.
Each September, teachers on the main
pay scale move up to the next point on the
scale, subject to satisfactory performance.

Job satisfaction
Teachers have a unique opportunity
to make a difference to people's lives
by inspiring them. If you're passionate
about the subject you teach and are able
to engage your audience, whatever age
they are, the job satisfaction can be huge.
You'll also be teaching and working with
a cross-section of people from different
backgrounds, making it a diverse and
interesting environment in which to work.

Choice of learning routes
To teach in an English state school,
whether at primary or secondary level,
you need to be educated to degree level
and have qualified teacher status (QTS) by
140 /// JOBS & CAREERS

following a programme of initial teacher
education or training (ITET). This can
be attained in the following ways:
SCHOOL-LED TRAINING This training
option is for those university graduates
who would like the bulk of their training
to take place in a school, enabling them
to immerse themselves in a teaching
culture from day one. You'll usually
work four days a week at the school,
where you'll be able to learn from more
experienced colleagues, and spend one
day a week at a university or college.
You will also experience at least two
contrasting schools during your training.
To apply, search the UCAS website for
"school-centred initial teacher training"
or SCITT, which is the course provided by

government-backed schools. Most courses
last a year, after which you will gain QTS,
and most courses also award a postgraduate
certificate in education (PGCE).
DIRECT ROUTE School Direct courses
offers school-based teacher training via a
network of schools that are signed up to
the initiative. This is a great choice if you
hope to teach at one of the schools after
qualifying. Courses last a year and result
in QTS - again, many, but not all, also
award a PGCE. School Direct (salaried)
is a route that makes teacher training
more feasible for those considering a
change of career. If you're a graduate with
at least three years' work experience,
you'll earn a salary while you train and
can expect a job offer when you qualify.
Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs And Careers Autumn 2018
