Starting a Career in Education: Your Options Explained
A career in education is incredibly rewarding, offering opportunities to shape young minds and inspire future generations. Whether you’re interested in teaching, support roles, or administrative positions, there are several paths to start your journey in education. Here’s an overview of the key options:
- University Degrees and PGCEs for Teachers
If your goal is to become a teacher, the most common route is through a university degree followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). You can pursue an undergraduate degree in Education or a subject you wish to teach (e.g., English, Maths), followed by a PGCE. This combination provides the necessary qualifications and classroom experience to teach in primary, secondary, or further education. - School Direct and SCITT Programs
For a more hands-on approach, School Direct and School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programs allow you to train in a school while earning a qualification. These programs are ideal if you want to gain practical experience from day one while learning on the job. They usually lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), enabling you to work in schools across the UK. - Teach First
For those who want to make an impact in challenging environments, Teach First offers a two-year leadership program where you work as a teacher in underprivileged schools while receiving training and earning QTS. It’s a fast-paced and highly rewarding way to start a career in education, focusing on addressing educational inequality. - Teaching Assistant Roles
If you’re looking to ease into education or explore whether teaching is right for you, becoming a teaching assistant (TA) is a great entry point. TAs work alongside teachers to support students with learning, classroom management, and special needs. Many TAs go on to complete further training to become fully qualified teachers. - Apprenticeships in Education
Education apprenticeships offer an alternative to university. Through teaching assistant apprenticeships or early years educator apprenticeships, you can gain hands-on experience while working towards a qualification. For those interested in administration or school support roles, there are also apprenticeships in business administration or school office management. - Routes for Career Changers: Assessment-Only and Troops to Teachers
If you already have a degree and relevant experience, the Assessment-Only (AO) Route offers a fast-track to achieving QTS without additional training. Troops to Teachers is a specialized program for ex-armed forces personnel, helping them transition into teaching roles through tailored training and support. - Further and Higher Education
For those looking to teach in colleges or universities, a different pathway is required. You’ll typically need a relevant degree in your subject area, often paired with a teaching qualification like a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education for colleges or a PhD for university-level teaching and research.
Starting a career in education offers diverse routes for those looking to teach, support learners, or manage educational environments. Whether through university, apprenticeships, or specialised programs, there are many pathways to embark on a fulfilling career in this dynamic sector.
We are on hand to support you in your career whether you’re starting out or looking to progress, get in touch to find out how we can help.