The changing face of teaching

21 January 2010

Publication: Municipal Journal

Latest figures released by the Training and Development Agency for Schools on recruitment make interesting reading.

They confirm that 70% of inquiries about becoming a teacher are now from professionals considering a career switch. In 2008-9, there were about 10,000 applications from career changers. In the first eight months of 2009-10, there have been 13,500, with a further jump expected in the next few months.

New graduates in teaching are about to be outnumbered by former financiers, scientists, bankers and lawyers.

The current recession is undoubtedly behind this surge in professionals entering teaching, with many having been made redundant, or fearing they would be.  However, the agency claims that a large number have more basic social intentions, and are interested in having a job with the opportunity to inspire others and to contribute rather than simply take.

Is this, therefore, a trend, or merely symbolic of the circumstances of the day?

Teaching has traditionally been dominated, rightly or wrongly, by individuals who trained straight after graduating and remain in the profession for the rest of their working life. But, if the current trend continues, this will no longer continue to be the case, with the majority of teachers coming from other careers.

Not only will this serve to ‘freshen up’ the teaching profession, but, some would claim, it could also bring huge benefits to students to be taught by people who have experienced what it is like to work in the harsh realities of the ‘real world’, away from the rather cosseted world of an academic institution.

However, before taking on such applicants, headteachers and governors would do well to test to the full the decision of an individual to take what, in many cases, is a 50% pay cut – or more. Is this a real and sustainable feeling, or merely seen as a safe home in a storm?

Will the opportunity to earn large salaries and bonuses be irresistible once the economy recovers?  Equally, it is vital that the Government ensures there is sufficient investment available and adequate time given to providing the training that is necessary for an applicant to convert successfully from one world to another – from banking to the classroom seems a very long journey to me.

However, overall, career switching should be encouraged, whether it is the civil services, a financial institution or a school. The trend of not only changing jobs, but careers, is a sign of what is to come.

It is widely predicted that the current crop of school students will have more than 10 jobs within different careers and sectors during their lifetimes. And including teaching within this transition can only benefit the students by introducing them to the flexibility of a modern job market while they are still at school.