Back-to-school should need not be reserved for September, nor should it be reserved for children. The number of people considering a career in teaching is on the increase, with over a third of people (36%) considering getting into teaching.
In the UK, the teaching profession is not limited to a degree choice or a single entry route. And it's never too late to train to be a teacher. But how and where do you start? Teaching can be a challenging profession, but there are numerous benefits to this exciting and rewarding career.
Variety
A Respected Career
Teaching is now considered one of the most respected careers in the UK. According to a Teach First poll, 42% of those surveyed voted this way – with around half (47%) agreeing that people underestimate how much impact a teacher can have on a child.
As a teacher you have the opportunity to become an integral part of the community, getting to know parents and other staff. If moving to a new area, teaching is a good way to meet new people.
Lots of Choices
There is a range of options too, from primary and secondary schools to independent, boarding schools and international schools to teaching roles within Further Education (FE) and Higher Education (HE). There are full-time roles, part-time teaching jobs, as well as supply teaching options.
Every Day Is Different
You’ll work through a new syllabus and a changing curriculum, teach new topics, and work with new pupils each year. You’ll be able to make decisions about what’s best for your students and lay out your own lesson plans. Although you’ll need to follow certain standards in your curriculum, you have the opportunity to inject your own personality into your job.
Job Fulfilment
Making a Difference
Think about your career, dreams, interests, and ambitions. You might be able to trace it back to a special teacher who inspired, challenged, or helped shape what you do today. Improving the lives of children and young people is the main motivator behind those who choose to become teachers.
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions and there are many reasons why teachers love their job. When our team speaks to teachers here at Morgan Hunt, teachers often say that seeing students finally understand something they’ve been struggling with is rewarding. Teachers get to feel the direct impact of their work on a daily basis.
There are many different reasons why people teach. While some have a calling to impact the lives of students, others are drawn to the profession for its ability to make a difference in the education system.
The Little Moments
At the end of the day, teaching offers more than just a salary, pension, and holidays. Teaching is full of little joys you can’t quantify and don’t come along in other vocations. There are student birthdays, school events and trips, charity fundraisers, and comradery with other teachers.
When teaching reception and primary, there are the funny things kids say without intending to be funny, their genius ideas and their sense of curiosity. These are what energise schooldays and make teachers excited about work.
Salary
Salaries for Teachers
There isn't a straightforward answer when it comes to teaching salaries. There are different teaching positions within schools. These include teaching assistants, early years teachers, supply teachers, special education needs (SEN) specialists, and teachers with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) backgrounds, to name a few. All these have varying salaries. The location also plays a part. Teachers in London earn up to £5,000 per year more than their peers across the rest of the UK.
Recent Teacher Salary Increases
Teachers across the country benefited from pay increases of between 5% and 8.9% this September. Pay for experienced teachers who have been in the profession for more than five years will rise by 5% in the next academic year – an increase on the Government’s initial proposal of 3%, in recognition of the broader economic context and the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB’s) recommendations. The rise is equivalent to an increase of almost £2,100 on the average salary of £42,400 this year.
Government Backing
The recent pay increase – alongside the free-to-access training courses available to teachers – is part of the government’s drive to make sure there is an excellent teacher in every classroom.
Starting Salaries
The government is making good progress towards meeting its manifesto commitment for new teacher pay to rise to £30,000. The starting salary for teachers outside London rose by 8.9%, with salaries reaching £28,000 in the 2022/23 academic year. From September 2022, a new teacher will now receive over £2,000 more this year than last. The competitive new starting salary will help attract top-quality talent. Those in the early stages of their careers have also benefited from increases, ranging from 5% to 8% depending on experience.
Additional Salary Benefits
On top of their basic salary, teachers may receive additional payments. Qualified teachers of SEN pupils may get an additional (SEN) allowance of £2,270 to £4,479 per year. There are payments for those taking on more responsibilities within the role. These teaching and learning responsibility (TLR) payments range from £2,873 to £14,030 per annum.
Benefits
Beyond the Salary
Other benefits of a teaching career include automatic entry into the Teacher's Pension Scheme and extensive holiday periods.
Job Security
While other jobs are being replaced by technology or robotics, there will always be a need for teachers. A career in teaching offers job security and is one of the most recession-proof jobs, according to CNBC News. Job growth is expected to see a steady increase. The DfE forecasts that secondary schools will need 15,000 more teachers before 2025 to meet a 15 per cent rise in student numbers. The DfE forecasts that primary schools will need to maintain teacher numbers over the next decade, by ensuring the numbers entering keep up with those leaving.
Holidays and Flexibility
Despite teachers enjoying a 195-day working year, there is still work to be done during the holidays. However, the summer, winter, and Easter breaks alongside half-term holidays allow teachers time to recharge. And while there might be some work to be done, this paid time off outside of the academic year is a bonus for teachers.
For parents, teaching provides convenient scheduling. If you have children, you will be on a similar schedule. Teachers may need to do marking and lesson planning after school, but this can often be done from home. The holidays are not only a break from the classroom, but they enable teachers to spend more time with their children or families.
Personal Progression
Life-Long Learning
Teachers not only get to share their existing knowledge, but they research new topics and learn along the way. Teachers need to keep on top of new technologies and trends.
Transferable skills
There’s a high degree of mobility within the education field. Former teachers can go on to a variety of careers both inside and outside of education.
A Global Career
If you’re a qualified teacher, you’ll be able to work around the world. Whether it’s teaching English as a foreign language or a specialised subject, you can live and work abroad. International schools often look favourably upon teachers who have trained and qualified in England.