Portsmouth’s trainee teachers unite to inspire next generation at event

Early career teachers and trainees joined forces at Central Library on Tuesday 7 November 2023 to share their top tips for starting a career in the classroom.

Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council initiative to recruit teachers, teaching assistants and leaders for the city’s schools, held a Love to Teach event, designed to support those taking their first steps towards a career in teaching.

Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council said:

“Working in education is one of the most rewarding careers out there, as you inspire young minds to become the best versions of themselves. It’s also important that we encourage the right people into the profession who have the resilience when challenged in the job.

“By doing this at an earlier stage, we can provide people with the right information, at the right time, before they apply.”

Those who attended the event met with training providers who work with schools in the city and watched a presentation from the National Careers Service on funding.

Attendees also heard from trainee and early career teachers who shared their experience from primary, secondary and post-16 training.

Lena Garner who trained with Portsmouth Primary SCITT and is now a second-year early career teacher at Cottage Grove Primary School shared her experience with attendees. Lena said:

“It was fantastic to be able to share information about my journey into teaching as everyone’s experience will be different. I started off as a teaching assistant in a local school and wanted to become a teacher. I found it quite challenging to navigate what type of provider I should choose.

“I wish this type of event existed when I was looking at my options as it would have been so useful to speak with providers in one place. If you’ve considered becoming a teacher – just do it!”

For those who want to look at their options for September 2024, Teach Portsmouth’s route finder tool presents course information from providers linked to the city.

Find out more at www.teachportsmouth.co.uk/training.