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

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, and information on likely future sector developments.

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.
  • Routes into Teaching (pdf 302kb) - AGCAS publication, previously called Teacher Training. Now includes information on making applications for a PGCE as well as the other initial teacher training routes.

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).

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 Gov.uk website.

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.  
  • 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

Further information and useful links

Key points

  • Teaching opportunities cover the whole range of education from teaching small children to read and write to supervising PhD projects
  • Professional qualifications are a pre-entry requirement to be a teacher in a state maintained school in the UK.
  • The different areas suit various personalities and have different requirements.

Resources

AGCAS titles

Schools for special needs
A fully comprehensive guide to special needs education in the UK.

Read the career stories of Claire, a BEd (Hons) Education graduate and Matt, who completed a PGCE in 2000.