Helping make the move into teaching
With Christmas just a memory and the weather making January commutes feel more like endurance tests, many people find themselves wondering if their journeys to work are worth the considerable effort!
That’s where teaching can reply a resounding ‘yes!’, as one aspect of the profession that stands the test of time (and snow) is job satisfaction.
Few careers can come close to the feeling of knowing you are making a difference to hundreds of young lives every single day, and hardly any working environments can diffuse the January blues like a busy classroom full of energetic and curious young people.
At The Academy at Shotton Hall, our teaching training arm, Shotton Hall SCITT, can help you make the move into teaching with some of the best training in the region, recently rated “outstanding” by school inspectors Ofsted – the highest accolade that can be achieved.
If you think you are too old you are wrong, many of our trainees start our courses in their 40s, 50s and even 60s!
If you’re not sure you have the right skills, let us be the judge.
If you have a good degree in the subject you want to teach (2:1 or better for most subjects) along with qualifications in English and maths, and relevant experience in industry, our courses will equip you with the extra knowledge and experience you need to become a confident and skilled teacher.
Our partnership with Durham University will give you extra experience outside the classroom and your PGCE will be awarded by them at the end of the course.
Shotton Hall SCITT English trainee, John Errington, talks about how he got into teaching:
“As an older student I had a different route into teaching.
“I originally started out in the mining industry, then I became a self-employed driving instructor and also worked in a factory on the assembly line.
“After several years out of the job market, but with a degree in English Literature, I started to work in a local secondary school as a Learning Support Assistant in a special education needs department.
“I realised quickly that working in a school meant one thing; you were never bored.
“The days flew by as working with the students keeps you permanently busy.
“Supporting students through their GCSE exams was really rewarding, however, I wanted more.
“I wanted to read great books and try to inspire a love of reading. So after seven busy years it was time for a change and I applied to become an English teacher with Shotton Hall SCITT.
“Working in a school has given me the opportunity to work with some fantastically talented teachers and their enthusiasm for their subjects becomes infectious.”
Fellow career changer and current Shotton Hall SCITT biology trainee, Paula Kirkup, echoes John’s positive experience:
“I went to university as a mature student when I was 28 to do a degree in biomedical science.
“I then worked for a leading drug development company for three years before deciding that it was time to get into teaching.
“The students we teach today are the future and I wanted to play a part in their growth and development.
“Science is an important part of the world we live in, and I wanted to inspire more young people to follow a scientific career path.
“Becoming a teacher couldn’t be more different to my old job.
I used to go to work and know what I had to do all day, it became very repetitive.
“Teaching is so different. No two days are the same and you never know what each day will bring.
“To anyone considering becoming a teacher, I’d say that if it is something you are passionate about, then go for it!
“The training year is hard at times, and there are moments when you feel like you’re in over your head, but nothing worth having or achieving is easy.”
If you are a bright new graduate, or an experienced career changer with a passion for your subject, then we’d love to hear from you.
Applications are open now for courses in primary and secondary in our partner schools across the North East.
Make 2018 the year that makes your commute worth the effort and train to teach with Shotton Hall SCITT.
Find out more at www. shottonhallscitt.co.uk