So, you’ve finished your degree and you’re thinking of becoming a teacher? Well, let me tell you what I learnt when I applied.
After finishing my masters degree in Media Studies, I wondered what I wanted to do with my life. After years of considering various career paths, I realised that I felt completely unprepared for a fulltime career.
Despite now being qualified, I was feeling pretty unsure of myself because I had spent so much time in school settings, I considered teaching.
I loved the idea of working with students, and showing them how amazing media was as a subject. Once the idea was in my head I found it difficult to shake. Here is what I learnt when I applied to be a teacher.
The application process was super simple
Although you can apply through normal vacancy websites for teaching assistant roles, going to the Gov.uk website is the right place to start.
Here, you can apply for a training course which will teach you all the basics of teaching; lesson prep, safe guarding children etc.
To apply, you need to do was choose a location, teaching subject, provide my qualifications, personal details and give two references. I used two academic references, both of which responded promptly.
Overall, the application took me roughly one hour and once my references had provided the information needed, all my details were passed over to the relevant people.
After just a few weeks, someone rang me and asked for an interview!
Interview task
For the interview, I was sent a lot of information with regards to what would happen. As well as this, I was sent instructions to create a lesson plan to discuss in the interview.
I was given little information to work with, which scared me at first but I contacted the people who arranged the interview and they explained that I was to create a lesson plan based off of my interpretation of the topic.
With this, I created a great lesson plan and was excited to discuss it through with them and show off my planning and presentation skills.
The interview style was formal but fun
After some research into what to expect from a teacher training interview, I was so nervous but definitely ready.
The ladies who interviewed me were so friendly and made the whole process so enjoyable. The interview itself was held over an online call, which of course is the norm now.
Despite this, it was still great and the panel seemed to really like me and asked me various school related questions, all of which I answered confidently and clearly. I was asked me to bring one item into the interview to which signified why I wanted to become a teacher; I chose my MA certificate.
After a few questions and roughly an hour on the video call, the panel were ready to make a decision. Not before, however, asking me to complete a written task so that they could see my literacy and numeracy skills on paper.
After I completed this fairly quickly I sent it over to via email and not long after that I got a phone call; I got it.
The financial reality of teacher training
I was so excited that I had got my offer to study teacher training in Manchester as a media studies teacher. I finally felt as though I had a good idea of what I wanted to do with my life.
After looking into the role further however, I learnt that something wasn’t right. Teacher training is an unfunded role, which meant I would be working fulltime with no income.
Certain subjects are permitted a bursary, but not media studies. The process encourages people to apply for student loan to cover maintenance fees like at university, but this wouldn’t be enough to cover me for a year. Besides this, it would be extra student debt to worry about in the future.
I thought long and hard about it, and in the end, I withdrew my application.
What I learnt throughout this process were many things, both good and bad:
- Teacher training is a great option for those who are unsure of a career, but are very passionate about their qualification topics.
- The process is unfunded, so all aspiring teachers (apart from those who qualify for a bursary) be prepared to spend a year very poor.
- I am very hireable; being wanted as a teacher made me feel really good about myself, and my qualities.
- The process is quick and simplistic, and if I was ever in a better position financially to complete a teacher training course, I would do it in a heartbeat.
I have absolutely no regrets about applying for teacher training, and although it wasn’t for me I realised that I was more than capable of becoming a teacher. I urge anyone who ever considers teaching to apply.