Why become a teacher

A teacher talks to his pupils and shows them how to use a robotic arm.

There’s no career quite like teaching. From sharing your passion for a subject, to having a job where every day is different, there’s lots of reasons why people choose to become teachers in England.

Make a difference

From day one as a teacher, you’ll be empowered to make decisions and have an impact. Every lesson you teach or conversation you have in a school corridor has the opportunity to inspire your pupils, shape their futures, and the world around them.

Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world, and we get to provide that to the next generation and others to come.

Chelsea, primary school teacher

Your impact will not be limited to your pupils. You’ll have opportunities to make a difference to your school, colleagues, and local community.

I chose teaching because I was inspired by some amazing teachers as a child, but I didn’t always see myself represented. I wanted to help inspire, teach children new things, be that representation and help my community.

Shaniqua, primary school teacher

Explore your creativity

As a teacher, you’ll have the freedom and trust to use your knowledge, passion and creativity to teach curriculums in your own way. From themed learning days and engaging activities to creative wall displays, you can bring your personality and passion to the classroom from the very first day.

I wanted a career that gave me the freedom to deliver a curriculum using my own unique delivery and style. You can be your own boss in the classroom and really let your personality shine.

Helen, food technology teacher

Use skills from your degree or previous career

Teaching provides you with a great environment to use the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during a degree or a previous career. You’ll share your passion with your pupils and continue to learn as you teach.

I chose to get into teaching to use the skills and knowledge I gained at university in a more proactive way.

Helen, history teacher

You may already have valuable experience working with pupils in the classroom, for example as a teaching assistant. Your expertise working with pupils might make you a desirable candidate for teacher training and may help you to make a smooth transition into teaching.

I’d been in quite a few lessons in more of a teaching assistant capacity. Some of the kids said, ‘Why doesn’t Miss become a teacher?’, and I thought, ‘Why not? I can do this’.

Emma, trainee teacher

Find out more about changing careers to become a teacher.

Career progression

In teaching, there are lots of opportunities for progression and self development. You can progress your career at your own pace, and tailor your journey to your interests and goals.

I started out as a regular classroom teacher, but over the years, I’ve grown and taken on different roles. I became head of year to understand how to support students beyond academics, and later, I moved into a leadership role in teaching maths.

Gloria, maths lead practitioner

Find out more about career progression.

Teacher pay and pensions

In addition to the personal rewards of teaching, there are practical benefits too, including:

a competitive salary starting at £31k (or higher in London)
a secure pension

Holidays

You’ll get more days holiday than people in many other professions. In school, full-time teachers work 195 days per year.

For comparison, you’d work 227 days per year (on average) if you worked full time in an office.