Transfer your expertise to a teaching career
After almost two decades working in IT, Anna Kyriacou decided to retrain as a teacher. Growing demand for her skills means great career opportunities lie ahead.
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Your support makes all the difference.In schools, teachers with computing qualifications and experience are in demand. "There are not enough computing teachers at the moment," says Anna Kyriacou, who is training to become one. "Meanwhile, computing is becoming ever more essential across all subjects. It is central to so many jobs, as well as to the way we work, learn and communicate."
The new curriculum for computing in schools reflects this, blending traditional ICT with computer science. It is supported by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and a range of business partners too, including Microsoft, Google and Facebook. "I am confident there is plenty of scope to work my way up the ladder and become head of department."
Such ambition is to be expected of someone who gained a 2:1 in information technology before clocking up 19 years industry experience. Anna was a senior systems engineer, supporting systems in locations throughout Europe.
She reached a turning point after having children. "I'd thought about teaching when I was younger," Anna says. "Everyday things like helping my kids with their homework brought that ambition back." She applied for a scholarship from BCS, which supported her to retrain through the School Direct programme.
You could receive a tax-free £20,000 bursary - or a £25,000 scholarship from BCS - while you train to teach computing. A whole host of support and training is also available for those intending to teach maths, physics, chemistry, computing, design and technology (D&T) or a language. The Premier Plus service offers a comprehensive programme of support and guidance throughout the application process and subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses exist to refresh and top up subject knowledge.
"I’m well supported and feel I have a lot to offer," Anna says. She's confident that teaching is the right career for her too, adding: "I can't imagine ever going back to my old job now."
To get into teaching and for support throughout the application process, sign up online or call the
Teaching Line on 0800 389 2500
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