Addressing the teacher shortage
Between 2017 and 2023, over 850 experienced professionals joined our movement of career changers into teaching.
We have supported them to make this decision. 81% of Now Teachers surveyed said Now Teach played a role in their decision to become a teacher. 84% of attendees at Now Teach Recruitment Events (in the 20/21 academic year) agreed that Now Teach has made it more likely that they would change careers and apply for teacher training.
We recruited 107% of our Department for Education targets. National targets were missed by 27% in the same period.
“They made it seem that it was possible to make this kind of career change. They triggered the idea. Without Now Teach I would never have considered it an option.”
Now Teachers bring quality and diversity to teaching
Career changers bring value across the curriculum, though we prioritise subjects where too many young people are not being taught by specialists, particularly maths and science.
- Maths: Cohort 2023 is 23% maths, compared to 14% nationally for 23/24. This represents 3% of all maths trainees in 23/24.
- STEM: Cohort 2023 is 62% STEM compared to 34% nationally for 23/24.
- MFL: Cohort 2023 is 15% MLF compared to 7% nationally for 23/24.
Bringing greater diversity to the classroom
Now Teach is proud to increase the diversity of the teaching population. Compared to the national trainee teacher workforce, our cohort are:
- more likely to teach STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects
- more likely to be BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic)
- more likely to be male
- have an average age of 47, compared to 27
Supporting and keeping talent in schools
“I see myself as long-life teacher – I will definitely remain in education. We affect people’s lives forever. I do want to be there and have a long-lasting impact on people’s lives.”
Now Teach have a higher retention rate at 2 years after qualifying than the national average, with 66% of Now Teachers (aged 40-65) remaining in teaching compared to 39% nationally.
Adding value to classrooms
Now Teachers are confident bringing their experiences into lessons to contextualise learning, with 94% saying their previous career and life experience has given them the skills to be a teacher.
Partner schools and training providers were clear that Now Teachers bring a wealth of experience into the classroom, which helps them to engage with pupils and enhance lessons.
“[Now Teachers] are able to contextualise academic knowledge into the classroom for younger age groups, which is important and motivates pupils as they are more interested in the subject matter.”
Survey data from training providers and partner schools supported these comments on the value of real-life experience in lessons: 79% agreed that previously acquired experiences are useful for Now Teachers’ role as a teacher.