A teaching career in the UK is an exciting and rewarding journey. Teaching is not just a profession; it's a calling that allows you to shape the future by inspiring and educating the next generation. However, starting your teaching career can seem daunting, especially if you're new to the field, but gaining tips and advice for new teachers will help put you at ease. Are you an aspiring educator? This guide will walk you through important information and new teacher advice to help you on your path to becoming a successful educator.
1. Understand the teaching landscape in the UK
Before diving into the specifics of becoming a teacher, it's essential to understand the teaching landscape in the UK. Our first new teacher tip looks at the UK education system. This is divided into four main parts: primary, secondary, further, and higher education. Each stage requires different qualifications and skills, so it's crucial to identify where your passion lies. Most new teachers start their careers in primary or secondary education, but some may choose to specialise in further or higher education or go down the route of Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
In the UK, teaching is a regulated profession, and you will need to meet specific criteria to become a qualified teacher. This includes obtaining the necessary qualifications, gaining classroom experience, and applying for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Our advice to new teachers is to think about your passions and ethos, do they lie in a specific area? Do you picture working with a specific age group? Map this out in a brainstorm or vision board and compare it to the UK education system to see where your skills would naturally fit in.
2. Gain classroom experience
Our next tip for new teachers is gain as much classroom experience as possible. Classroom experience is invaluable when starting your teaching career. Not only does it allow you to apply the theory you've learned, but it also helps you develop the practical skills necessary for effective teaching while gaining new teacher advice from other educators and mentors. Most ITT (Initial Teacher Training) programs include a significant amount of classroom experience, but there are other ways to gain this:
- Volunteering: Many schools welcome volunteers to assist in the classroom, providing you with a chance to observe and participate in teaching activities.
- Teaching assistant roles: Working as a teaching assistant (TA) can give you hands-on experience while allowing you to learn from experienced teachers.
- Supply teaching: Once you have QTS, working as a supply teacher is an excellent way to gain experience in different schools and classrooms, broadening your teaching skills and network. You can work in a variety of settings on days you choose, gaining new teacher advice from other educators as well as your consultant. As a supply teacher you are not expected to conduct certain parts of the role such as plan lessons or attend a parents’ evening, but you still can experience the joy of teaching a class and be part of a school community.
3. Build your teaching portfolio
A teaching portfolio is a powerful tool that showcases your skills, experiences, and achievements. It's a collection of documents and materials that demonstrate your competence as a teacher against the Teachers’ Standards. A sage piece of new teacher advice is that a strong portfolio can set you apart from other candidates when applying for teaching positions or work through an education recruitment agency. Your portfolio might include:
- Lesson plans: Examples of lesson plans you've created, showing your ability to design engaging, well-structured and appropriately pitched lessons that inspire, motivate and challenge pupils with a range of different learning needs.
- Classroom management strategies: Demonstrating your approach to maintaining a positive and safe learning environment that promotes good progress and outcomes for all pupils. This includes your own behaviour management strategies, such as rewards and the rules/routines that you expect in your classroom.
- Pupil work: Samples of pupil’s work that show your ability to help them achieve their potential while demonstrating your good subject and curriculum knowledge.
- Reflections on teaching practice: Personal reflections on your teaching experiences, highlighting what you've learned and how you've grown as an educator.
4. Prepare for recruitment teaching interviews
Once you have the necessary qualifications and experience, the next step is to secure your first teaching position. Here are our new teacher tips to help you stand out in the competitive job market:
- Draft answers to common application questions: School and educational job applications will ask questions about handling challenging behaviour, managing workload and being adaptive to support pupils with a range of SEND. You can create a blanket response to this which you can tailor for each application, ensuring you remain efficient but still detailed.
- Utilise recruitment agencies: Education recruitment agencies can be a valuable resource in your job search. They often have access to job openings that aren't advertised elsewhere and can provide advice for new teachers on how to improve applications. To speak to one of our dedicated recruitment consultants, contact us today.
- Create a strong CV and cover letter: One piece of new teacher advice that some educators forget is that to apply for work in an education recruitment agency, you will need a CV. Your CV should highlight your qualifications and teaching experience over the last five years, along with your education and any other relevant skills. Any gaps in your CV such as taking time out to travel or raise a family must be noted. As for your cover letter, use this as a space to emphasise points made in your CV, backing up any statements made with evidence.
- Prepare for interviews: Teaching interviews often include a combination of traditional questions and practical assessments, such as delivering a sample lesson. Practice answering common interview questions and consider how you'll demonstrate your teaching style during a lesson observation. For more information on teaching job interviews, check out CPD channel My-Progression’s video:
- Network: Building connections within the education sector can open up job opportunities and provide you with support, guidance and tips for new teachers as you start your career. Attend education conferences, join teaching associations, and connect with other educators on social media platforms like LinkedIn.
5. Take part in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Once you've secured your first teaching position, it's important to continue developing your skills and knowledge. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a key aspect of a successful teaching career. CPD can take many forms, including:
- Attending workshops and courses: Many organisations offer workshops and courses on various aspects of teaching, from classroom management to the latest educational technology.
- Engaging in colleague observation: Observing other teachers can provide you with new teaching tips and insights into effective teaching practices. When observing other teachers, focus on specific aspects of teaching that you would like to improve.
- CPD videos: Platforms like My-Progression offer education CPD in bite-sized videos, making it even easier to learn new skills and gain new teacher advice. Their safeguarding videos are equivalent to a Level 1 in Safeguarding while other topics can be backed up with a CPD certificate to evidence your learning.
- Pursuing Further Qualifications: If you're interested in advancing your career, consider pursuing further qualifications, such as a master’s in education or specialist training in areas like SEND.
6. Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Teaching can be demanding, especially in the early stages of your career. It's crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout. Here are some new teacher tips to help you manage your time effectively:
- Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Avoid taking work home whenever possible and ensure youv have time to relax and recharge.
- Prioritise Tasks: Focus on the most important tasks and learn to delegate or let go of less critical activities, use the Eisenhower Matrix to help determine what is important and what can be delegated.
- Seek Support: Don't hesitate to ask for help from colleagues, mentors, or professional support networks when needed.
7. Remember why you started teaching – to make a difference!
At the heart of teaching is the desire to make a difference in the lives of your students. As you start your teaching career, remember that every interaction with a pupil or student is an opportunity to inspire, motivate, and encourage. The impact you have on your students can last a lifetime, making teaching one of the most fulfilling careers.
Conclusion
Starting your teaching career in the UK is a journey that requires dedication, passion, and a commitment to continuous learning. By following the new teacher advice outlined in this guide—understanding the teaching landscape, building your experience, and actively seeking opportunities—you can successfully kickstart your teaching career and make a lasting impact on the lives of your students.
Whether you are just beginning your journey or looking for ways to advance your career, remember that teaching is not just a job—it's a lifelong commitment to learning, growth, and making a difference in the world. Welcome to the world of education, where every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.
If you’re looking for your next role in education, speak to TeacherActive, one of the largest education recruitment agencies dedicated to finding you the perfect job for your skillset. Take a look at our vacancies or contact us to get in touch with our consultants.
