Looking for Your First Job as a Teacher

Starting your first teaching post is an exciting and rewarding experience; you will have the opportunity to apply all the great pedagogy you have developed during your training to inspire your students and make a positive impact on their progress. But what do you need to look for in your first teaching post?

It is important to consider what type of school you would like to work in. Those applying for Cambridgeshire school jobs benefit from the wide variety of different types and sizes of schools in diverse locations, including urban and rural communities. How far are you prepared to travel to get to work? Is support from a large body of staff important to you or would you prefer to start your career in a smaller setting?

What Needs to be Considered?

You should also consider the ethos of the school in which you will be starting your teaching career. Research the school carefully before you apply for the teaching post; look at their website and prospectus for clues. Some schools will be happy for you to visit before applying. Do the school’s ethos and values fit with your own?

What support can you expect from the school? If you are shortlisted for the post, you are likely to be asked if you have any questions during your interview. A great question to ask is what support you can expect from the school as an NQT. In addition to the statutory support required for all NQTs (including regular guidance from an Induction Tutor and an additional 10% release time) what professional development opportunities are available? How will you be supported to continue to meet the Teachers’ Standards? Will you have the opportunity to extend your pedagogical knowledge, observe other colleagues or network with teachers in other schools? Some schools require new teachers to the school to pass a probationary period – if so, you can ask about this at the interview. How long is it? What are the requirements for passing it?

Considering School Jobs in Cambridgeshire

In Cambridgeshire, we are very lucky to have a large number of Teaching Schools. These are schools which have been designated by the Department for Education to work with others to provide high-quality training, support and development for teachers. NQTs working in Cambridgeshire benefit from a wide range of professional development opportunities led by experienced and skilled trainers.

We  run an annual secondary event for potential NQTs where trainees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from secondary schools in Cambridgeshire, find out about their vacancies and take part in a mock interview.

For vacancies view Teachincambs vacancies, EPM and TES.

We hope this blog post has been helpful. Good luck with your search for Cambridgeshire school jobs and teaching posts!