Getting school experience
Getting some classroom experience can help you to decide whether teaching is right for you. It could also strengthen your application and prepare you for potential interviews. If you’re ready to apply but unable to get experience due to the summer holidays, we suggest you speak to your chosen training providers to identify their requirements. They could, for instance agree for you to demonstrate other experience with young children or offer you a place on condition on obtaining a number of set hours in a school prior to starting the course.
We can help you gain school experience from September 2017, through our School Experience Programme. After the summer holidays, they’ll be hundreds of schools across the country participating, so you should be able to find an opportunity local to you.
During your placement you’ll have the opportunity to:
- talk to teachers about day-to-day school life
- observe teaching and pastoral work
- watch a range of lessons and age groups being taught
All of this will give you valuable insight and a great focus point for your application and interviews. As part of your placement, a Disclosure and Barring Service check may be required – this will be organised by the school.
How to take part
Once you’ve registered with us, you’ll be able to book school experience online through our School Experience Programme. Simply follow the link from your personalised checklist. If you can’t find a local school, we’d suggest you check back from September - this is the time schools start adding further placements.
If you’ve already registered, log in to your checklist to book school experience through our online portal.
Arranging school experience independently
You can also arrange your own school experience directly with a school. There are lots of ways to do this – find out how.
Related content:
Read how Hannah was more determined to teach after accessing the School Experience Programme