They say that those who can't do, teach. That's obviously a little unfair, but the stereotype is a powerful one. Arts and humanities students in particular are weighed down by the barbed comments of their contemporaries - that the only path for a history student is into teaching history, that English graduates will inevitably find themselves regurgitating all that knowledge of Shakespeare, compiled over three years, to a classroom full of disinterested, moody adolescents. Of the lofty ambitions of undergraduates, teaching is not considered by the most ambitious - or so they say.
You might think, then, that teaching offers little to the graduate. In fact, the opposite is true. At £23,000 on average, the starting salary for teachers is more than most can expect upon leaving university. In central London, the newest to the profession can expect as much as £27,000 per annum, according to statistics collected by the Independent. And what's more, tax-free bursaries of up to £20,000 are available.
There is, as ever, particular demand for teachers of modern foreign languages. But that is not to say that schools don't need teachers of every subject. Teach First, the programme dedicated to bringing talented graduates into the education profession in the most difficult schools, advertises for vacancies across the board.
Those who join the Teach First programme enjoy a whole range of perks, including almost four weeks of vacation, a pension scheme complete with employer contribution, private healthcare provided by BUPA and guaranteed income protection. According to the Sunday Times it's one of the best employers in the public sector, and takes only those with a 2.1 or above in a tough degree, achievement in the relevant A-levels and a clear ability to inspire, lead, and of course teach.
Those looking for a challenging, rewarding and well-remunerated graduate job with the potential to develop into a long career with serious promotion prospects could do a lot worse than think about teaching.
It seems that really, it's those that can do that teach.
Tom N, GRB Journalist
