Teaching

If you’ve been involved in training or mentorship roles during your time in uniform, it's highly probable that you have amassed a range of skills ideal for entering the realm of education and guiding the next generation…

What do teachers do?

Every child and young adult who progresses through the education system knows the significant impact of a great teacher. In the UK, with over 30,000 schools, the need for devoted educators is constant. Most have heard of:

• Eton College and Harrow School with their rich histories.
• The large network of state-funded comprehensive and grammar schools that serve the majority of students.
• Specialized institutions like SEN schools that ensure every child, irrespective of their needs, gets a fair shot at learning.

Teachers not only instruct on academic content but also handle lesson planning, student assessment, and contribute to their holistic development. The role is multi-faceted, from managing a class of young kids in primary to navigating the complexities of teenage years in secondary schools.

Transferable skills

Training roles in the Armed Forces often involve:

• Effective communication.
• Leadership and group management.
• Adapting to varied learning paces and methods.
• Developing structured training modules.

Your experience in the services, combined with formal teaching qualifications, can make you a standout candidate in the educational sector.

How do I get qualified to work in teaching?

For those eager to teach:

• A PGCE program is a common route.
• 'Earn while you learn' initiatives like Teach First.
• Subject-specific degrees for specialized secondary school teaching.
• Ultimately, achieving QTS is essential for state schools.

For instance, to become a secondary school Maths teacher, a relevant degree followed by a PGCE in Maths would be beneficial.

Professional institutions like the Department for Education (DfE) set the standards and provide necessary resources and training for aspiring teachers.

Use your ELC

Utilize the ELC scheme for courses related to teaching, ensuring they're offered by approved providers on the ELCAS website. Check out Quest's comprehensive guidance on maximizing your ELC benefits.

Finding a job

Upon qualification, positions in primary, secondary, and SEN schools await. Your unique background from the services could also open doors in areas like school administration or even in institutions catering specifically to children from military families.

With a constant demand, especially in subjects like Maths and Sciences, the teaching sector provides ample opportunities for progression, impact, and job satisfaction.

Apprenticeships provide pathways into numerous careers in the education sector, presenting a valuable chance to earn, accumulate hands-on teaching experience, and attain nationally recognized qualifications concurrently. The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL): As a part of the Department for Education, the NCTL would have information about teacher training, including apprenticeships. Teach First, specifically focuses on a unique type of teacher training program, which is somewhat akin to an apprenticeship. Graduates commit to teaching in challenging schools, and they receive training and qualifications in return.The Times Educational Supplement (TES) is primarily a resource and job listing site, they often have information about teaching apprenticeships or similar training programs available through their job listings.

Contact them direct (see ‘Useful info’) for full details.