Get into Further Education Teaching

Teaching offers a dynamic environment where you can apply the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through your degree or previous career. It’s an opportunity to not only share your passion with students but also to continuously expand your own expertise. As you teach, you’ll keep learning, adding to your existing subject knowledge, and staying engaged with new developments in your field. It’s a fulfilling way to grow both personally and professionally while making a lasting impact on your students.

Teaching is an ideal path for those with specialised knowledge and experience (you’ll normally need a relevant degree for the subject you wish to teach). If you’ve worked as a workplace mentor, manager, clinical educator, or in roles like sports coaching or classroom assistant, your transferable skills can significantly strengthen your application. However, if you lack direct experience, don’t be discouraged-there are numerous training programmes and resources available to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in this rewarding field.

I was drawn to teaching after leaving the military where I received extensive training in military engineering. I felt a strong desire to give back and wanted to use my engineering expertise and the lessons I learned throughout my journey to help shape and inspire the next generation. – Teacher of Engineering , Stuart Hide

At Runshaw College, we really value helping our staff grow and progress in their careers. Whether you’re looking to take on more responsibility as a Course Leader, or even represent your colleagues on the Board of Governors, there are plenty of opportunities to make an impact and develop your leadership skills. If you’re an experienced practitioner, you’ll receive tailored support to keep expanding your expertise. And for those who are just starting out, our induction programmes for Early-Stage Teachers and Newly Qualified Teachers are designed to offer the guidance and support you need to feel confident and thrive in your new role.

It’s all about helping you reach your full potential!

I am continually developing my teaching and leadership skills working at Runshaw. Our CPD programme is flexible, extensive and tailored to our individual development needs. In particular I have developed my learnt the most from my mentor Vanessa Harwood, our Assistant Principal for A Levels. – Claire Prescott, Head of Science

At Runshaw College, in addition to the rewards of teaching, we offer a range of practical benefits to ensure our staff feel valued and supported.

Salaries are an important factor when making career decisions, and at Runshaw College, we are proud to offer a competitive starting salary of £31,000 for qualified teachers with experienced teachers earning up o £48,000. This reflects our dedication to recognising and rewarding the expertise of our educators.

As a Further Education teacher at Runshaw College, you will also enjoy a generous holiday allowance. Full-time FE teachers typically work around 195 days a year, significantly less than those in office-based roles, who usually work an average of 227 days. This means you will have more time to recharge, pursue personal interests, and engage in professional development, ensuring a healthy work-life balance.

The UK Government offers bursaries to tackle teacher shortages in critical subjects, supporting aspiring teachers, including NQTs and Early Career Teachers. These financial incentives have been designed to help attract diverse candidates, address shortages, and help retain talent, ensuring high education standards. Support levels may vary by subject, teaching route, and institution, with a focus on reducing educational inequalities, especially in disadvantaged areas.

Explore the bursaries and funding information currently available for individuals looking to start their training, as well as for those already working in Further Education teaching.

Across the UK, there is an increasing emphasis on addressing the skills gap in subjects like Engineering, Maths, and Science—areas that are vital to a variety of industries. This creates exciting opportunities for individuals with industry experience to move into teaching. At Runshaw College, if you have expertise in sectors such as engineering, healthcare, IT, or the creative industries, there are numerous opportunities to apply for teaching roles. You can gain hands-on experience while working toward a teaching qualification, which must be completed within two years. This allows you to bring your real-world knowledge directly into the classroom, enriching the learning experience for your students.

If you’re interested in becoming a Further Education teacher, the official government backed Teach in Further Education “Share Your Skills” page is a great place to start. It’s packed with useful information about the different pathways into teaching, from the qualifications you’ll need to the day-to-day responsibilities. You’ll also find guidance on funding options, like bursaries, grants, and loan schemes, to help support you along the way. Plus, you’ll have access to friendly, experienced advisors who can offer personalised, one-on-one support, helping you every step of the way as you explore this rewarding career.

If you’re looking for guidance or advice on becoming a further education teacher, we highly recommend visiting the Teach in Further Education website, which is affiliated with the UK Government. It offers practical advice and the opportunity to speak to an advisor who can assist you with everything from offering guidance to preparing for interviews. This is a completely free service.

Share Your Skills – Speak to an Advisor – UK Government

If you’ve found a vacancy at Runshaw College and are interested in applying but would like more information or clarification on the criteria, feel free to reach out. Our HR team is happy to provide advice and support for your application, in line with our Fairness in Recruitment policies and procedures.

Email us via hr@runshaw.ac.uk

Call us via 01772 622677