Becoming a parent sparked my interest in teaching

After seeing an advert for teacher training while on maternity leave, Claire changed careers to become a physics teacher.

After college, I went travelling and then spent my twenties trying out different careers. I worked in HR for 5 years while also doing a part-time degree in physical science through The Open University - achieving a first. I also became a mum, too.

Whilst on maternity leave, I saw the advert for teacher training and saw that with my degree and the subject I wanted to teach, I’d even get a bursary.

As a parent and professional with a regular income, the financial support available to me as a trainee physics teacher made the option of re-training seem not only viable, but attractive.

I wouldn’t say I look like your stereotypical physics teacher, and I probably don’t act like one. I have bleached blonde hair and I’m a single mum for a start.

Working with young people and helping them to understand the world around them is massively rewarding. I love that I can be creative, manage my own classroom and make science fun – which is, after all, the first step in getting students to learn.

I now have job security, opportunities for progression, new skills and a postgraduate qualification. Not to mention the new car that isn’t falling apart, a well-deserved holiday booked, paid-off credit cards and a little put away for a rainy day.