Over many years my work in support of teachers and teacher trainers has been guided by the precept that teaching is the greatest of all the professions. It is the one on which all others depend. Sir Michael Barber has created a new truism which brilliantly captures the importance of teaching: "The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its' teachers." Those who think deeply about the contribution of schooling to their own success or failure in life will understand that the quality of teachers makes the difference.
Since the early 1990s I have seen teaching move from serial crises of under-recruitment to a new status among young people as one of the professions they aspire to get into.
2011 was a bumper recruitment year for physics, chemistry and maths teacher trainees. Undoubtedly, the profession is establishing itself as a popular career choice for graduates who want to continue using their specialist subject knowledge. Not only that; the best ever quality graduates are coming forward to train.
We want to capitalise on this momentum and boost the recruitment of more top graduates in priority subjects; namely maths, physics, chemistry and modern foreign languages. We have traditionally had to compete with other high flying professions for the brightest graduates in the country. But the teaching profession is now offers more training support, better career progression opportunities and higher starting salaries than ever before. It is fast establishing its status as financially secure and competitively rewarding.
Teaching is undoubtedly a very different profession today than it was in years gone by. Research tells us that teachers are more content with their chosen career path, than graduates in competing professions. Teachers are twice as likely to remain in their profession compared with graduates who opt for alternative careers. We know that the reasons teachers remain satisfied at work is because they are given autonomy, recognition and clear opportunities for progression.
2012 will bring another opportunity to recruit the next generation of outstanding teachers, so that more pupils achieve the equivalent of five good GCSEs, including English and maths and have an opportunity to enter top universities.
For those thinking of entering the profession, it's important to realise that it has become increasingly competitive to get on a teacher training course. In order to be eligible in the first place, candidates need to have a GCSE English & maths grade C + (or equivalent) and a good honours degree, with sufficient subject knowledge if they want to teach in secondary schools or become a subject specialist in a primary school.
As well as having the right qualifications, candidates will need to demonstrate experience of working with young people and school observation experience in a state school. This will be subject to Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and other suitability checks, including medical clearance. Schools receive many requests for work experience, so to better your chances of getting past the school gate, make sure you personalise correspondence to headteachers, explaining why you want to gain experience at their school, in particular.
The recruitment process will involve completing a GTTR form online; this goes to your first choice of training provider only. If you meet the entry requirements the provider invites you to interview. Your interview may involve you being asked to present, a teaching task, or a group activity. You may also have a literacy and numeracy task, a subject knowledge task, as well as a formal interview. The training provider will always keep you informed of the activities involved in the interview, so make sure you come well prepared.
When it comes to writing a personal statement and preparing for an interview for teacher training, the key fundamentals to bear in mind are the need to demonstrate a commitment to working with young people; passion for your subject and an understanding of the national curriculum and latest learning techniques. Referring to previous leadership roles and responsibilities can help show how your skills will translate to the classroom.
Consider the application process as your chance to stand out from the rest. Convey why you want to teach, what you can offer and why you will make a good teacher. Explain clearly how you know teaching is right for you and reference the experience you have had in schools to back this up.
Stephen Hillier is chief executive of the TDA. To find out more about teacher training, visit the TDA website, or call the Teaching Information Line on: 0800 389 2500.
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