An overview of teacher training and education

Do you want to inspire, have a positive impact and have the opportunity to make a difference? If you do, teacher training and education could be for you. Here’s a snapshot of everything you need to know about working in the teaching and education sector.

An overview of teacher training and education 

Education is the engine of our economy, the foundation of our culture and essential preparation for adult life. Those in education and teacher training have the opportunity to drive the next generation forward and provide a positive outlook and set up for life for every child.

There are many roles to choose from in this sector, from a primary school teacher to a nursery worker, Ofsted inspector or teaching assistant. All of these roles play an important role in shaping our future society and the beliefs of future leaders. To work in education you don’t have to work in a school; other roles are just as important such as an education publisher, an academic librarian or a higher career education advisor. 

Teacher training and education is a very popular and sometimes competitive sector that requires expert knowledge and qualifications but, with the countless roles and support available, there’s a way for everyone to be involved in education and teaching.

Who are the top teaching and education employers?

If you want to get into teaching, you may want to work in a school, however, if that’s not your cup of tea, there are other employers to consider in this rewarding sector: 

• Teach First who, for over 15 years, have been committed to helping schools give every child access to a fair education. They offer a training programme for graduates, student taster days and support for teachers.
• Pearson is a well-known education publishing and assessment service that offers graduate schemes, internships and a plethora of other roles. 
• Hopscotch is a leading specialist consultancy that creates marketing and education campaigns aimed at inspiring families and young people. They work with clients like the BBC and charities like WWF.
• The Chartered Governance Institute provides professional development, guidance and thought leadership for individuals and their employers - with rolling graduate schemes and numerous events. 
• CASE partners with world-class universities and not-for-profit organisations to offer a unique graduate training programme in fundraising. 

Read our article on the top education and teaching graduate employers for a more in-depth overview. 

Types of roles in teacher training and education 

The teaching and education sector is very broad, and the majority of teachers work at schools or higher education institutions, however, here is a list of the types of roles you may expect to encounter in this sector:

• Primary school teacher: You could be teaching those aged 4-11, planning their lessons, marking work and improving numeracy and literacy in the classroom.
• Secondary school teacher: You'll be teaching students from age 11 to 18, preparing lessons and usually specialising in particular subject matter.
• Higher education lecturer: A university lecturer is someone who has a wealth of experience in a particular subject or field, and they use their experience to teach students the academic or physical knowledge they need to thrive in that area. 
• Counsellor: Usually found in a school, youth services or future education settings, counsellors are employed to listen to students or staff who are expressing their feelings or worries. They’re often an important part of the student support or mental health department.
• Special educational needs teacher: This is a teacher who works with pupils or students who may have physical disabilities, learning difficulties, emotional or behavioural problems or dyslexia. Your job is to support their educational needs in the best way possible in a safe environment. 

Learn more about the types of roles available in the teaching and education sector.

Top five things you must know about careers in teacher training and education

1. A qualified teacher in the UK can expect to make between £25,000 - £32,000, depending on where you teach.
2. Working in education is not a 9-5 job. If you’re a teacher, after your fixed time at work ends, you’ll go home and start preparing for the next day of teaching.
3. According to statistics, around 17% of teachers quit within the first year. There’s no doubt that the first year of teaching will be a tough learning curve, but it takes time to figure things out. Think of the rewards and don’t give up!
4. You’re going to make mistakes. Teaching is a lot of trial and error. It’s about understanding what teaching methods work for you and what works for each class you’re teaching. Making mistakes is often the best way to learn!
5. Teaching or working in education is one of the most challenging but rewarding sectors out there - your job is vital. If you’re struggling, remember there are likely thousands of others going through the same thing - support one another.

Where can you go to learn more?

Get Into Teaching offers useful information on the latest teaching events, funding for training, qualifications you need to get your career off the ground and support options. 

Bright Network’s education and teaching career path guide is a great place to learn the key skills you need for teaching  and why you should get into this rewarding sector.