Education and Teacher Training - Why teaching has become the career for those who can

It’s over a century since Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, wrote the words, “Those who can do; those who can’t, teach” for his 1905 stage play ‘Man and Superman’. It’s a stubborn phrase that has taken root but it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny in modern teaching.

Teaching As a Career

The idea of the teacher has changed dramatically since Shaw’s time. A different skillset is required to be a modern teacher. Not only do you have to have in-depth knowledge and a passion for your subject, but you’re also managing the expectations of stakeholders and working with young people who have been encouraged to discover their voices and express themselves. And they do. It can create a wonderfully energising and supportive teaching environment – much like you’ll find at the University of Bolton – but it can require skilled people management and patience.

In addition to teaching a subject, today’s teachers have a duty of care to their students that extends beyond education and into pastoral care. Teaching is rewarding and it allows you to give back to the generations behind you, even if you’re balancing planning with procedure and feedback.

Education and Learning at Bolton University

Through developing your own critical and reflective thinking, you’ll explore how learning is done on both a conscious and subconscious level. Experienced lecturers will help you to identify how learning shapes every part of our lives, from what we do for fun to our value structures. 

The Educational Pathway to Teaching

Often, trainee teachers undertake a degree subject before taking a PGCE and gaining Qualified Teacher Status. With our Education and Learning degree, you’ll be well-positioned to move into postgraduate teacher training.

Taking a deep dive into teaching, our course explores the history of teaching and looks at both the psychology and sociology behind teaching. Our knowledgeable and supportive lecturers will also help you to get to grips with the current issues that are affecting education systems all over the world.

Getting The Right Start

Making sure that pupils are more than just a name and are supported is important in modern teaching. At the University of Bolton, we feel exactly the same. We are a small but dynamic university and that’s reflected in our teaching practices. Class sizes mean that there will be time for you to get to know your teacher, but also that your teacher is able to give you quality feedback that informs your learning and progress. At Bolton, our education courses are top in the UK for the course and feedback satisfaction.*

A Secure Future

There is a demand for skilled and experienced teachers in the UK. This degree will position you well for the next step in becoming a teacher and the initial teacher training jobs that follow, but teaching isn’t the only career that you can do with an education and learning degree. As well as a host of transferable skills, this degree would put you on the pathway to these careers:

Careers guidance teacher

Community engagement officer

Educational psychologist

Educational writer

Family liaison officer

Play therapist

Social and youth worker

A Newly Qualified Teacher, or NQT, salary in England starts at around £25,000 per year.^

Students First at Bolton

Learning at Bolton is totally student-led. We are proud to have a campus that is an inclusive and supportive place to learn, welcome to #UniAsItShouldBe.

*Guardian University Guide 2022

^ https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/teacher-training-and-education/how-much-do-teachers-get-paid