Working in Schools

There are 30 or more occupations in schools. Career opportunities not only include teaching but also support staff roles, such as cover supervisors and bursars.

Teaching taster courses

If you would like to find out what teaching is like you can go on taster courses. These short courses are designed to provide participants with experience of what is means to be a teacher. 

For further details on taster courses visit the Training and Development Agency for School's (TDA) website.

Teacher training

For information on  routes into teaching, including courses and career prospects visit the TDA's Get into teaching website or call the teaching information line on 0845 6000 991.

To apply for teacher training funding and loans you will need to contact Student Finance Direct. You may also be eligible for a 'golden hello' payment once you start teaching if you are training in a priority subject.

Returning to teaching

If you are thinking of returning to teaching after a career break you may like to take a short, funded returners' course to update your knowledge and skills. Visit the TDA's website for details.

Overseas trained teachers

Non EU trained teachers may be employed as 'unqualified' teachers for a maximum of four years from the day when they first taught in UK. They encouraged to seek qualified teacher status (QTS) via the TDA's overseas trained teachers programme, which normally takes a minimum of six months.

Visit the TDA's website for more information on its overseas trained teachers programme.

Teachers who qualified in countries inside the EU should contact the General Teaching Council for England for recognition of their qualifications as equivalent to QTS.

Support roles

If you are interested in training in one of the many support staff roles in schools, which includes bursars, librarians, site managers, catering staff and science technicians, visit the Skills for Schools website.

The site offers an online guide to training, development and career pathways for support staff. 

Support staff vacancies are normally advertised in the press locally or in the Times Education Supplement publication and website.

Contact us

Teacher recruitment
Tel: 020 7525 5158
teacher.recruitment@southwark.gov.uk
Children's services
John Smith House
144-152 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1JL

Opening hours: 9am to 12pm, Monday to Friday and out of hours answerphone