‘There’s no feeling like it.’ Meet the inspirational women who switched careers and retrained as teachers

Two London teachers explain how and why they changed direction to work in education

(Abigail Welton)

Teachers join the noble profession for lots of reasons, but the satisfaction of helping young people harness their talents is a deciding factor for many.

Research from Censuswide earlier this year backs this up: of the students and graduates surveyed, more than a third are of the opinion that the teaching and education sector plays one of the most important roles in society.

So, if you’re at a career crossroads, possibly due a change in work circumstances because of the Covid-19 pandemic, have you considered a job in education? If so, you’ll most likely have plenty of questions – just like any good student – about what you need to know and do to retrain.

Take inspiration from Abigail and Jagpreet, two London teachers who explain how and why they decided to work in education, and reveal the diverse paths they took to get there…

Abigail Welton, teacher at Engayne Primary School 

Abigail Welton, 30, had been working in media for seven years before starting her teacher training in September 2018. Despite the enjoyment and success she found in her previous career, Welton always experienced an underlying urge to teach. 

On deciding to make the leap from her media job, Abigail Welton was on a teacher training course within a month (Brunel Johnson)

“I’d always wanted to be a teacher,” she says. “The idea of working with children and making a difference really appealed to me. Even when I was at school myself, it was something I really wanted to do, but then I fell into working in the media instead.”

A conversation with a friend gave her the courage she needed to make the jump: “Within a month I'd applied, interviewed and got on a course and just went for it.”

The idea of working with children and making a difference really appealed to me

Abigail Welton

In order to obtain a place on the course, Welton had to write a personal statement and get some experience at a school, as well as attending two interviews and doing a presentation in which she had to pretend to teach a lesson. 

“It was a lot, but totally worth it,” she says. For those daunted by the application process, experienced teacher training advisors are on hand to help.

Welton began the online and school-based course in September 2018, which involved helping teachers conduct lessons. “You're in a classroom and get to watch what goes on, before moving on to team teaching and then taking the odd lesson on your own,” she explains.  

After completing her training, Welton began to teach her own class in July 2019 at Engayne Primary in Upminster, East London. 

“Every day I’d come home exhausted, but just gushing with another story about something a child had done, or something I'd seen someone achieve. Or that a certain child had finally got this thing I've been trying to get them to understand,” she says. “You just feel euphoric. There's no feeling like it.”  

Jagpreet Hayre, teacher at Dormers Wells High School

Jagpreet Hayre’s own teachers gave her advice and encouragement on her path to a career in education (Jagpreet Hayre)

When she was younger, it was Jagpreet Hayre’s fascination with teachers that first ignited her curiosity about the profession.

“I've never seen myself in an office job doing something nine-to-five," Hayre, 27, explains. “I've always wanted to do something that's dynamic, something that's different, something where I can think: You know what, I think I made a real difference today.” 

 I can't see myself doing anything different – every day is so different to the day before 

Jagpreet Hayre

Hayre’s appreciation of the teachers that helped her at school only bolstered this ambition. “I had two teachers who really pushed me to apply for universities that I never thought I would get into, which never even came into my head,” she notes. “And I ended up getting into UCL. The confidence that they put into me was just something that I now want to do.”

But, as with plenty of people figuring out what they want to do in life, Hayre began to feel uncertain and left university. “I dropped out, and then I was lost for a good year or so. I thought: I don't know what I want to do in my life.”

Thinking of training to be a teacher?

• You could get a tax-free bursary to train as a teacher*. 

• New teachers will start on a minimum salary of £25,000-£32,000, depending on location.

• There are plenty of opportunities for progression and many in leadership roles earn significantly more.

• Experienced teacher training advisers are also on hand to give you free application support and advice – they’re just a phone call, text or email away. 

• Applications for teacher training starting in September 2021 are now open. You will need a degree plus a grade C/Level 4 in maths and English, and in a science if you would like to teach primary.

 

*Subject to eligibility. Selected subjects only.

It was the very teachers who had helped her in her school days that Hayre reached out to for advice during this difficult period.  

“I said: I'm confused; I'm lost; can you guys help me out? They got me a part-time job in school, working as a tutor and as a science technician,” she explains. 

There, Hayre’s desires to go into the profession were cemented, as she witnessed first-hand teachers’ ability to impact kids’ lives for the better. 

Soon after, Hayre went back to university to start a zoology degree, proceeding to work in another school as a teaching assistant and then completing her PGCE. Now, she teaches science to Year 7-12 pupils at Dormers Wells High School in Southall, Middlesex. 

And though it’s hard work, Hayre loves the job. “Honestly, I can't see myself doing anything different - every day is so different to the day before and the day after.  I wake up every day thinking: I am so blessed to be in a career where you're making a difference in kids’ lives.”

To find out more, visit getintoteaching.education.gov.uk or call the Get Into Teaching line on 0800 389 2500.