Jobs and Careers Spring 2019 - 131

E D UCAT I O N

N

ot everyone knows what they want to be when they grow up.
While some of us have a clear career idea from a young age,
others just fall into their field of work. It's not always easy making
a career choice - especially with such a wealth of options
available. When you consider the education sector, for example,
most people think about teaching but it's actually an area that
offers a diverse mix of job opportunities, from research to management. We talked
to three people who are clearly passionate about the different roles they do.

"Inclusion is what
education is all about"
Pippa Forman, 48, is a special educational needs and disability coordinator,
or SENDCo, and assistant head at a technology college in Lincolnshire

Words: Kate Yelland

Why did you choose to go into your
particular field? My parents talked me
into it! I did a language and geography
degree and had high hopes of living
abroad to work. I'd been sold on the idea
that I would just walk into a job with my
particular degree, but that wasn't the case
and I was left thinking "Now what?"!
My parents had seen an advertisement
for a position where you could train on
the job as a teacher. Initially I didn't think
I had what it took to teach in secondary
school, but I applied and got through a
tough interview process. I didn't have all
the requirements to train on the job, but
I was able to get a bursary and complete
my one-year PGCE while living back at
home - I was then qualified to teach!
How did you get to where you are today?
I started teaching in 1993 in a small rural
secondary school. I taught French but my
role soon developed and I became a head
of department, introducing Spanish too.
I was always keen to develop my
skills, so I worked to become an
advanced skills teacher which meant I
spent one day a week at other schools
supporting other teachers with teaching
and learning. I was able to share good

ideas and practice, and network. And I
began to support trainee teachers too.
I was then given the role of assistant
head, responsible for teaching and
learning. With four other teachers, I
began to deliver a new curriculum called
Opening Minds, which let students learn
through inquisition and experience.
It was amazing, but education has really
changed over the last 10 years. Around
six years ago, I began to feel bored with
my role and decided I needed a change.
I told my head not to take it personally
but that I was looking for a new job! He
was keen to get me involved in another
area of the school. The existing SENDCo
was due to retire and I was offered her
position. It was an area I was interested
in and I knew it would prove to be
challenging, so I jumped at the chance!
I haven't regretted it. In fact, in our last
Ofsted inspection it was noted that the
SENDCo was "passionate about her role".
The job has certainly been an eye-opener!
How long have you been in your current
position? I've been in the role of SENDCo
for five years now.
I still teach one day a week, so at least
I can practise what I preach!

JOBS & CAREERS /// 131
Jobs and Careers Spring 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Spring 2019
