A list of commonly asked questions follows this glossary of terms.
A glossary of terms
- QTS – Qualified Teacher Status
- ITT - Initial Teacher Training
- NQT - Newly Qualified Teacher
- TDA – Training and Development Agency for Schools
- CPD - Continuing Professional Development
- MTL - Masters in Teaching and Learning
- DCSF - Department of Children Schools and Families
- TES - Times Education Supplement
What is the best route into teaching?
There are a wide variety of routes that you can take into teaching. The one which you choose will most likely be specific to the age group or subject that you wish to teach. This will include studying alongside a degree, straight after a degree, as a part-time course alongside work or as a full-time course. For more help on choosing your preferred route you can answer a short set of questions on the TDA website.
What should I include in my teaching CV?
Your CV should:
- Be simple, clear and to the point.
- Be no longer than two sides.
- State clearly why you are qualified for the role.
- Highlight your skills, abilities, achievements and work experience.
Your CV should contain:
- Contact details.
- Personal statement.
- Education and qualifications.
- Employment history.
- Other skills.
- Other relevant experience.
- Interest and hobbies.
- References.
Most importantly – tell the truth! Whatever you do, don’t lie on your CV. You may think you can get away with it but it is far better to be open about anything you are less than proud of on your CV. If you do put deliberately misleading information on your CV the word will get around.
For further help with your CV check out our factsheet a model CV for teachers.
I’m worried about meeting my students’ parents, how can I prepare?
Meeting parents can be a daunting experience – presenting another set of expectations and dynamics. However, it helps to remember that they actually don’t know if you have done this once or a hundred times! For help and advice on how to prepare for a meeting read our factsheet ‘Meet the parents: for newly qualified teachers‘.
How do I handle a difficult relationship with a colleague?
Your working relationships can sometimes be tricky to handle and unfortunately you probably won’t get on with everyone in your school. However it’s important that you remain professional and try not to become involved in personal disputes. For more help and information on difficult relationships read our factsheets ‘Resolving a dispute with a colleague‘ and ‘Dealing with difficult people‘.
What will happen on my placements?
It can take time to acclimatise to working in a school. If you’ve at university or college, it could be your first taste of working life. For career changers, it might be necessary to adapt to a different working environment. If you’re from overseas, you may have to familiarise yourself with a completely new education system. Depending on the training route you have chosen, you need to go on placement for a minimum of 18 weeks in at least two schools. Our factsheets ‘Your teaching placement‘ and ‘Trainee placements‘ give you tips on how to display professionalism and what you can expect during your placements.
What will happen in my induction year?
Once you achieve QTS, you begin your induction year. This compulsory period of induction provides you with a combination of monitoring, assessment, support and guidance to help you through your first year of teaching. Think of it as your opportunity to really learn the ropes – experience as much as you possibly can and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. For more information on your individual programme, observation, progress reports and development opportunities read our factsheet ‘NQTs – induction and your first year‘.
How do I maintain a good work-life balance?
Work-life balance is essentially about choice and flexibility, balancing life and work, balancing the needs of the school (employer) and members (employees) and creating the best environment for performance and job satisfaction.
The first step is to realise that work-life balance is an issue for both employers and employees. The next step is to realise that the solution will be different for everyone and that consultation is an essential part of the process. For tips on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance read our factsheets ‘Work-life balance – what is it and how do I achieve it?‘ and ‘Making an action plan – time management‘.
I am having money troubles, can Teacher Support Network help?
As a serving teacher, you can contact our money advisers at on 08000 562 561 (England), 08000 855 088 (Wales) for budgeting advice or ideas on how to manage your debts. We can also check if you’re eligible for any Government benefits.
Other useful contacts:
- Citizens Advice – www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Consumer Credit Counselling Service – 0800 138 1111 or www.cccs.co.uk
- National Debt Line (0808 808 4000) – www.nationaldebtline.co.uk
If you find yourself in extreme financial difficulty, you may be eligible for a grant or loan from the Teacher Support Network.
You should be aware that there are basic eligibility requirements for a grant or loan. To be eligible to apply you must:
- Be a serving, former or retired teacher (or a dependent).
- Be teaching or have taught in England or Wales.
- Have taught for at least one term in England or Wales on a full time basis, or
- Have QTS.
- Have less than £6,000 in savings.
In most cases, grants and loans cannot be awarded for private school fees, fees for educational courses, private medical treatment or payment for curriculum related field trips. Grants and loans are not generally awarded for non-priority debt but money advice is always available.
Please note that Teacher Support Network cannot provide financial assistance towards tuition cost, student loans or student debts.
I can’t afford to buy my own home. What are my options?
There are a number of options open to you if you are having difficulty trying to buy:
- Key worker living – agovernment-funded scheme that helps key workers in London, the South East and East of England to buy a home, upgrade to a larger property to meet household needs or rent a home at an affordable price.
- Housing corporation – The Housing Corporation is the national Government agency that funds new affordable housing and regulates housing associations in England.
- Housing options – The Housing Options Service has been designed to help those people in London who are unable to afford to buy their own home or rent a good quality home. For eligibility criteria and to apply visit their website.
- Housing Associations have a range of affordable housing options on offer for low to middle income earners including Shared Ownership schemes. Visit www.lhog.co.uk for more information.
- Shop around for the best mortgage offers – www.charcolonline.co.uk is a mortgage broker providing free online advice.
- Contact your local authority to ask if it operates, or is aware of, local initiatives aimed at helping teachers.
- Shelter now provides free advice, information and help with the legal and practical issues of finding accommodation. Either visit their website or call the support line on 0808 800 4444, which is available 8am-8pm seven days a week. If you would rather talk to someone in person check their website for advice centres near you.
How can I connect with other new teachers online?
Teacher Support Network has recently launched a Meetup project to bring teachers together in a comfortable environment to discuss life, teaching, learn from one another and coordinate ways to promote better wellbeing for teachers in their own schools. The project currently has a London group which is continuing to grow. Join us now and have the opportunity to attend, organise and influence our next meeting.
We also have a Facebook group with over 100 members so why not check out our profile page, become a fan or share the page with other teachers you know. This group is a great way to chat to other teachers, exchange ideas and advice and keep up-to-date with Teacher Support Network news and campaigns.
If you are already a member of Facebook take a look at our factsheet Facebook – privacy settings which has advice on how to control who can see your information and how to set-up your own page for your class.
