Teaching in Schools and Colleges
This page has been designed to be a starting point for those interested in teaching in schools and colleges.
If you are currently studying at the University of Brighton on a course with QTS please see Careers Centre Guide to Applying for Teaching Posts which is available on studentcentral (log in required)
- About teaching in schools and colleges
- How do I get into teaching?
- Work experience
- Finding a job or employer in this sector
- Further information and useful links
About Teaching in Schools and Colleges
Teaching is a mixture of good and bad points, but most teachers agree that it’s pretty rewarding.
It’s a demanding career but the pay-offs can be tremendous. Teaching opportunities cover the whole range of education from teaching small children to read and write to supervising PhD projects (source - Targetjobs).
The different areas suit various personalities and have different requirements. There is a constant demand for graduates in teaching, although there can be shortages in certain subject areas, such as science and mathematics. Professional qualifications are a pre-entry requirement to be a teacher in a state maintained school in the UK.
Prospects Teaching and Education sector guide
Contains details of job roles in Teaching, the AGCAS teacher recruitment database of local authorities' details, as well as AGCAS publications.
Targetjobs - Teaching and Education
Education sector profile.
How do I get into teaching?
Professional qualifications are a pre-entry requirement to be a teacher in a state maintained school in the UK. There are a variety of entry routes and types and modes of training available.
- Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)
Includes information about the PGCE application procedure, and a searchable database of courses. - The Teaching Agency
Replacing the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), The Teaching Agency is responsible for initial teacher training (ITT) in England. - Independent Schools Council
The ISC represents 1,260 independent schools across the UK. They run a teacher induction programme for newly qualified teachers wanting to teach in independent schools.
Graduate Prospects
Look for courses at the university
See the courses database for University of Brighton courses in this area.
The School of Education is widely recognised for the quality of its initial teacher training, continuing professional development courses and research opportunities in education.
There is considerable competition for training places in primary teaching in the South East so apply early. With London universities you may be able to apply late and still get a place.
Work Experience
The School Experience Programme (SEP) has been developed to allow you to gain classroom experience in secondary schools.
It is available to students and also to other people who are considering entering, or in some cases, re-entering teaching.
Finding a job or employer in this sector
Careers Service Guide to Applying for Teaching Posts
The Careers Service has produced a guide to help you gain your first teaching post. In contains information on application procedures and vacancy sources, together with suggestions on making effective written applications and on interview preparation. The guide also addresses contractual issues, pay and the induction year. The guide is available through studentcentral (login required).
- National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)
The NASUWT is the largest teachers' union in the UK, representing teachers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. - Prospects - Teaching advice
Contains the AGCAS teacher recruitment database of local authorities' details, as well sections on finding teaching jobs in UK regions.
Teaching in the South East
The region has a wide range of schools, colleges, universities and language schools. In addition to providing teaching and lecturing posts, these institutions also offer a wide range of career opportunities that provides the essential support the students and academic staff.
Jobs teaching in primary and secondary schools can be found on Local Authority websites. You can search for Local Authority website on the Direct Gov website.
- Brighton and Hove Council
- East Sussex County Council - Support for newly qualified teachers
- West Sussex Education Authority - Teacher recruitment
covers Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Worthing.
Vacancy Sources
- Alderwood Education
Offers school, college and supply teaching jobs in Schools, FE and Sixth Form Colleges, Special Needs Establishments (SEN) and Early Years Institutions across the UK. - Class Cover
A teaching supply agency in West Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire serving both Primary and Secondary schools. - Classic Education
A Kent based recruitment specialist for the education sector covering primary and secondary. - Greateducation
For jobs in education, training and teaching. - Hays Education
Specialises in jobs in early years, primary, secondary and further education. - Headline Teachers
Teaching recruitment agency based in the South East. - PBR Group
A recruitment agency which specialises in jobs in education in the UK and abroad. - PE Recruitment
Recruits PE teachers to permanent and supply positions in the UK and worldwide. - Protocol-Education
Permanent and supply teaching positions. - Step Teachers
Teacher recruitment and finding first appointments for NQTs. - Supply Desk
A specialist recruitment agency covering all levels of education. - Department for Education
Department of central government responsible for education policy. Includes information and advice for established and potential teachers. - Teaching Personnel
A specialist recruitment agency in teaching positions covering all levels between nursery and further education. - TimePlan
Provides teaching and education jobs for teachers and school support staff in the short and long term in England and Scotland.
Newspapers
- Education Guardian
Education pages of The Guardian newspaper, includes profiles on higher and furthereducation, guides, jobs and links. - The Teaching Times
Includes a jobs section - The Times Education Supplement
Jobs pages at the TES - Times HIGHER Education Supplement
Further Information and Useful Links
- Association of Teachers and Lecturers
ATL is the union for education professionals across the UK. - The Department for Education (DfE)
- DfE SEN Pages
Provides a wide range of advice and materials for teachers, parents and others interested in or working with children with special educational needs. - General Teaching Council for England (GTC)
GTC has now ceased operations. On 1 April 2012, The Teaching Agency became a new executive agency of the Department for Education. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have their own General Teaching Councils - Independent Sch ools Council
The ISC represents 1,260 independent schools across the UK. - The Guardian interactive primary school guide
Providesinformation on primary schools in England and their results for key stage two tests. - The Guardian interactive secondary school guide
Provides the latest official information on secondary schools in England.
Graduate Prospects
- National Association for Special Needs Education
The NASEN promotes education, training, advancement and development of all those with special educational needs. - OFSTED
The Office for Standards in Education.
- Teacher Support Network
A group of independent charities and a social enterprise that provide practical and emotional support to staff in the education sector and their families - WorkinSchools
A social and professional network for people that work in education. Launched because many schools are discouraging teachers from using social networks like Facebook due to possible pupil interaction.