Students, graduates, career changers, former teachers and current teachers should come to the Teaching in London Event to see just how much this rapidly changing profession can offer.

The event which is sponsored by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) aims to help fill over 5,200 training places in the London area next year by giving visitors the opportunity to talk to practising teachers, write CVs under the guidance of experts, speak to local teacher training providers and look at teaching vacancies in London LEAs. A crèche facility is available for parents bringing children to the event.

The event comes at a time when interest in teaching is on the increase. New figures from the TTA show that the total number of people expected to begin teacher training during this academic year is more than 31,000, a 7 per cent rise on last year and an increase for the second year in succession.

This surge in interest is largely because teaching offers a satisfying mix of prospects, skills and challenges. It is also better paid than some imagine. A newly qualified teacher (with at least a 2nd Class Honours Degree) working in inner London can start on £20,001; a good, experienced classroom teacher in inner London can earn up to £34,000; an advanced skills teacher up to £47,600; and a head teacher up to £81,800.

Mary Doherty, Director of Teacher Supply and Recruitment for the Teacher Training Agency, says: 'The Teaching in London Event gives people the opportunity to explore what makes teaching today a competitive, rewarding and purposeful profession. A range of training routes has been developed to suit every prospective teacher whatever their commitments and circumstances, and the quality of training is better than ever. Pay and career structures have improved; more classroom assistance is available, there's better use of technology and improved standards. With over 5,200 places available to train as a teacher in Greater London for 2002, I encourage people exploring a career as a teacher to come to the Teaching in London Event. Every single training place counts because each one can make a difference to hundreds of lives.'

People who have taught in the past and teachers from overseas will also find a wealth of advice on refreshers courses, changes to the National Curriculum and information on the qualifications required to teach in England and Wales.

This year TILE 2002 will be divided into four zones:

• The Training Lane
  Comprehensive information on the qualifications required to enter teaching, the different types of training opportunities available and details on training courses in London.
• Get a Capital Job
  Details of current job vacancies in the capital will be available at the event, with all London LEAs represented. Newly qualified teachers, overseas trained teachers and current teachers will be able to seek advice from trained staff who can help visitors find the right job.
• Back to your future
  This zone is aimed at those considering returning to teaching, perhaps having taken time out to raise a family. Training providers offering returner courses will be available at the event to offer advice to those wishing to return to the classroom, and how the courses will help them update their skills.
• Talking Teaching
  A seminar programme running throughout the event, offering detailed information on various aspects of training and teaching in London today, such as applying for a teaching job; how applicants can maximise their CV and what it's really like in the classroom. Rick Found of the BBC TV series Class Act will be participating in the seminars and talking about his experiences as a newly qualified teacher in London.

   

  ---

  For those unable to visit the TILE 2002 or for further information on opportunities within the profession, these are the recommended contacts:

  Teacher Information Line: 0845 6000 991
  
  
  Alternatively Local Education Authorities (LEAs) may have specific details on local teaching vacancies. Contact details for LEAs can be found at DfES LEA Gateway or by phone at the Department for Education and Skills on 0870 001 2345.

  For those unable to attend TILE but keen to find out more about teaching, the TTA will host a Chat Room on the event on its website - www.canteach.gov.uk - on Tuesday, 29 January between the hours of 10.00am-12.00 noon and 2.00pm-4.00pm. A teaching consultant will be available throughout the duration of the Chat Room to respond to questions. This Chat Room can be accessed via a link on the TTA website's home page.

Candidates who already have the necessary qualifications can register for a teacher training course on-line at the GTTR website. The facility allows candidates to log in and out of the site, to complete the form at their own pace.

---

For further information contacts at the TTA Press Office are:

Gordon Griffiths
Tel: 020 7925 3855 or
email: griffithsg@teach-tta.gov.uk   

Andy Bate,
Tel: 020 7925 3735
email: batea@teach-tta.gov.uk

Dan Davies at Financial Dynamics
Tel: 020 7 269 7293
email: dan.davies@fd.com

Claire Barry at Financial Dynamics,
Tel: 020 7 269 7122
email: claire.barry@fd.com