Teaching and Education

Introduction to careers in education

If you are thinking about becoming a teacher, Hertfordshire is a great place to start. Teaching is a unique and rewarding profession, with a wide range of career paths available teaching children of all ages, across many subject areas and with the opportunity to develop many specialist areas of expertise. You may choose to teach early years (0-4 years) in a pre-school or nursery setting, or primary age children (4-11) where you will have your own class and be responsible for teaching all areas of the curriculum. Alternatively, you may want to concentrate on a particular subject and teach that to a higher level at a secondary school or college. Either way, a teaching career guarantees that you will keep learning alongside your students and that no two days will ever be the same!

Teaching isn’t the only role in education though, and our schools, trusts and settings also depend upon many other professionals including teaching assistants, administrative and finance staff, HR, facilities managers, business managers and more. Many of these roles offer on the job training and excellent opportunities for progression.

Hertfordshire’s education sector has its own dedicated careers site, Teach in Herts, where you can research a wide range of career options and view vacancies at almost 700 schools and settings across the county. The website also houses a range of useful information and advice to help get your career in education off to the best possible start.

Education in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is one of the most highly performing education authorities in England. We have around 700 schools and settings, offering a wide range of career opportunities.

Schools in Herts consistently achieve standards well above national averages. The county is committed to providing high-quality education and support for all children in every school and setting, from early years through to further education.

Hertfordshire offers a wide range of school choices:

• 2-tier system (primary, secondary)
• 3-tier system (lower, middle & upper)
• Nursery schools, faith schools, SEN schools
• Single sex and co-educational
• Academies and maintained
• Independent and state funded
• As well as a thriving Early Years sector with both maintained and privately run nurseries and pre schools

… there really is something for everyone!

The wide range of settings in the county not only means you can find your perfect post, but can also create opportunities to build upon your skills and enjoy a varied and rewarding career.

More than 500 newly qualified teachers complete their induction every year in Hertfordshire and benefit from a supportive network and access to great training, resources and information to support them through their induction and beyond. There is also a ethnic minority forum for Herts schools, offering extra support to teachers and school staff from minority backgrounds.

What our schools are looking for?

• a passion for education and for helping every child and young person to be the best they can be
• staff to share the vision, values and culture of the school
• people who can contribute to a community where all are empowered and feel valued
• a collaborative mind-set
• an ongoing commitment to learn with and from others

Job roles

Teach in Herts supports educational settings by advertising positions in the following 4 areas:

• Leadership Jobs – e.g. Assistant Heads, Deputy Head, Headteacher, Director of MAT
• Teaching Jobs – g. ECT through to Heads of Year, Key Stage or department.
• Professional and Support Jobs – e.g. School Business Manager, Administrative Assistant, Finance Manager, Teaching Assistant, 1:1 Learning Support Assistant, SENCo, Pastoral Support, IT Technicians, MSA, cleaner, caretaker, Site Manager, Exam Invigilator, HLTA, Cover Supervisor, HR Administrator, HR Manager
• Early Years Jobs – e.g. Wrap around care provider, Nursery Nurse, Early Years Practitioner

You can also explore the HOP careers directory and search for Teaching and Education roles to understand the main tasks within job roles and average salaries, learn about which qualifications you should consider studying and explore the current job and apprenticeship vacancies in Hertfordshire. Below are some examples of the job roles within Teaching and Education.