Go Back To School - Become A Teacher

Going back to the classroom - but this time on the other side of the desk

or Mr Evans and his lively earthquake reconstructions in Geography (but strangely no one ever remember their Maths teacher with affection!?), so why not consider being the one to make an impact that can last a lifetime.

A newly qualified teacher can expect a starting salary of at least &pounf;20,000, or possibly more depending on experience - so it's a very financially secure and rewarding career move. There are also lots of other advantages - like the long summer holidays! That can be a huge benefit if you have children of school age and would like to spend more time with them during their school holidays.

Whether you like the idea of teaching primary age little ones or secondary school teenagers, there's no doubt that you'll be helping to shape young minds of the future. But don't forget that it's as much an opportunity for them you to learn and develop yourself as it would be for your students.

Once you're settled, a teaching job can be loads of fun. Sure, it'll be challenging but it'll be very rewarding to watch your students blossom as you get to teach about your favourite subject. You'll also mingle daily with like-minded colleagues, which will broaden your social circles as well as of course all the extra curricular activities and trips on offer!

And don't forget, if a full-blown teaching course seems a little too much to get your teeth into there's always the option of training for a support role. You could be a teaching assistant, a member of pupil support staff or work in an administrative capacity. You could even train to be a careers adviser, a school nurse or work in a school kitchen (Jamie Oliver would be proud!).

Whatever route you take, there's not doubt that working in a school can be very rewarding - and a lot of fun!

For more info, have a look at the Training and Development Agency for Schools website at www.tda.gov.uk