Why Choose a Career in Teaching?

November 1, 2015

• University and Higher Education

Are you interested in a career in teaching? The 2015 figures for trainee teacher enrolment are in, and they paint a somewhat worrying picture for the future of education. Across the board, there is a 10% shortfall, but for some subjects like DT and religious studies, it is as high as 57% and 37% respectively.

Professor John Howson, a former leading advisor to the government on teacher supply, recently spoke out about the potential consequences of this shortage. “Without drastic action, more head teachers will be forced to employ staff not qualified in their subjects or for the age group they are teaching, or simply remove subjects from the curriculum,” he warned.

He also said that it may lead to an increased reliance on private tuition to help children reach the desired grades.

Why exactly is there a shortage? There are a number of theories. Howson puts it down to the fact that there has been a rise in pupil numbers in recent years, in part because net migration to the UK is at an all time high, reaching 330,000 in the year to March according to the Office for National Statistics. This rise in students has put huge strain on the already shrinking supply of teachers.

Others think it is more to do with the fact that there just aren’t the same incentives to take a career in teaching any more. Public sector pay freezes, and the fact that the government no longer pays off teachers’ tuition fees, do not make teaching such an appealing choice, whilst the improving economy is providing better opportunities elsewhere.

It could be argued, however, that these are simply the areas that the media picks up on, thereby unfairly painting it as an undesirable career path. Less often discussed is the high level of social interaction involved on a daily basis, by comparison to that permitted in an office environment. Equally, the potential for variety and a degree of autonomy in how you choose to teach classes is fairly unique. No other profession has the same amount of paid holiday, and the fact that working hours fit around the school day is an obvious advantage for those with families. Not to mention, of course, the sense of satisfaction and the feeling – even on difficult days – that you have achieved something positive. None of these things make good headlines, but they may well make good careers.

The routes into a career in teaching are many and varied, and there is something to suit all ages and career stages. The basic requirements are an undergraduate degree, grade C in Maths and English, and medical fitness. Some programs are university led, and others are based in the classroom, though all programs involve some degree of classroom experience. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) focuses on developing teaching skills, with a minimum of 24 weeks on placement in two schools. For those who have completed or nearly completed a Doctorate, there is a Researchers in Schools program, where trainees gain a teaching qualification to enable them to work in higher education. The Teach First charity allows those with a strong academic record to work and earn while studying for the teaching qualifications.

It is recommended that anyone interested in teaching gets as much work experience in schools as possible to get an idea of which route into teaching is right for them, as well as which age group and subject they would want to teach.

There is no doubt that a career in teaching is a challenging and rewarding job, and this may in fact be the best time to get into it. The indications are that if the shortages continue, the government will be forced to recognise the importance of attracting new teachers and reintroduce traditional incentives. Even if not, though, teaching offers the possibility of making a real difference to the lives of the next generation – few jobs can boast of that.

For teaching experience you could start with private tutoring. Contact us at Kings Tutors for more information.