OXFORD

EDUCATION
EDUCATION
Education is one of the most popular sectors for Oxford graduates. It’s a broad sector –
covering teaching as well as diverse sectors such as publishing, policy, administration,
charities and NGOs, educational psychology, and museums.
Teaching can be a hugely rewarding career, demanding communication skills,
energy, and a commitment to inspiring students. It’s not for everyone, but offers an
opportunity to make a difference, to use your subject, and to advance your career in
a variety of directions. Teachers can rapidly specialise into managerial, pastoral or
training roles in schools. Many also move into education roles in other areas.
EDUCATION
GETTING IN AND ENTRY POINTS
teacher status (QTS). Routes to gain QTS divide into two
main types: SCHOOL-LED: eg, Teach First, School Direct,
HMC Teacher Training, Researchers in Schools, Overseastrained
teacher programme and some School-Centred
Initial Teacher Training (SCITT); and UNIVERSITY-LED in
partnership with schools (PGCE, PGDE, SCITT). Whichever
route you choose to follow, it’s more or less essential to
have done a period of observation in schools prior to
application.
Universities offer one-year PGCE courses with substantial
and bursaries available to cover tuition fees.
For School Direct, you are based in a school
and linked with a local university: places
are funded in the same way as a PGCE
but there is also a salaried option. Teach
First is a two year programme addressing
educational disadvantage by placing topcalibre
and highly motivated graduates into
paid employment in challenging schools:
alongside being a practising teacher you have
access to internships and personal development
opportunities.
in the independent sector. Some independent schools
offer on-the-job training, including HMC Teacher Training
- the formal training route. Others recruit recent graduates
through graduate assistant roles, particularly in boarding
schools. CareerConnect (p.4) and the Times Educational
Supplement (TES) are good sources of jobs in independent
schools.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and private
tutoring are popular short-term occupations on leaving
Oxford, but can also be longer-term careers. A degree
some teaching jobs, but experience is always helpful for
There are a few graduate training programmes in education
policy and administration. Imperial College runs a graduate
policy could form part of the Civil Service Fast Stream or
local government schemes such as the National Graduate
Development Programme. The TES and the Guardian are
key publications for opportunities in the Education sector.
Matthew Wood
Teacher of History and Deputy
Head of Sixth Form, Magdalen
College School
“It’s worth sending a quick email to
your old Head - I found my own school
very helpful when seeking a career in
teaching.”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR IDEAS
+ Observe teachers at work in local
schools. Insight Into Teaching, run by The
Careers Service, offers three days in schools
around the UK. The Teaching Agency runs formal
schemes for shortage subjects (Maths, Physics,
Chemistry and Modern Languages). Alternatively,
approach schools directly to ask if you can observe
lessons, or help in other ways.
+ Get international teaching experience in the summer
vacation through The Internship Programme (p.39).
+ Volunteer your time with local children through
organisations such as Jacari, KEEN or Oxford Hub’s
Schools Plus programmes.
+ Develop pastoral skills by helping with Oxford University
Scout & Guide Group, or volunteering with Sexpression
Oxford to promote sexual health.
+ Offer mentoring for UNIQ Summer School participants,
volunteer with Oxford University Admissions or work
with Target Schools to promote access to university, or
with OxFizz to give interview practice, mentoring, or to
run summer camps.
MORE INFORMATION:
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