The Teaching in London Event is held at Olympia2 on 25th and 26^th January 2004.

Students, graduates and career-changers with a keen interest in beginning teacher training this year, and those who are already qualified, are urged to visit the event.  They can talk to educational professionals and current teachers about entering the profession, finding a job and returning to the profession after a career break. Every London borough and all teacher training providers will be represented.  The event is sponsored by the Teacher Training Agency and entry is free. Four zones at the event show:

Training opportunities - Find out about qualifications required to enter teaching, types of training opportunities and courses.

Getting a job in the capital - Discover how best to apply for a job in the capital. Newly qualified and experienced teachers are welcomed.

Returning to teach - Those already qualified can talk to experts about updating their teaching skills ready to re-enter the profession.

Seminars - A range of topics will be covered including:maximising your CV, the Graduate Teacher Programme, and overseas teacher qualifications.

Mary Doherty, Director of Teacher Supply and Recruitment, said:

“Teacher training providers in London offer a wide range of courses in all subjects at primary and secondary level.  Schools in the capital also offer great career choice for those who are new to the profession and those who already have teaching experience. This show is an opportunity to talk first hand to teachers and local authority representatives to gain valuable information on jobs, challenges and opportunities in London.”

Details of the event are as follows:

Dates and times: Sunday 25^th January (11am- 5pm); Monday 26^th January (10am- 4pm)

(Please note that doors will close 15mins prior to end of official closing time)

Venue:Olympia2,Hammersmith Road,LondonW14

Nearest tube: Kensington Olympia

Further information: www.useyourheadteach.gov.uk/TILE2004 or call the Teaching Information Line: 0845 6000 991

Notes for editors

Data collected by TTA shows that 40,000 people will begin teacher training this academic year, the highest number in 14 years.

TTA’s new recruitment campaign ‘Use your head. Teach’ launched in September this year and has resulted in a 64 per cent increase in enquiries from eligible candidates.

Eligible trainees on postgraduate courses are entitled to a training bursary worth £6,000.   Newly Qualified Teachers in priority subjects (English with drama, mathematics, science, modern languages, design and technology, ICT and Welsh in Wales) are entitled to ‘golden hello’ payments worth £4,000 before tax after successfully completing their induction.

Salaries for classroom teachers start at £18,105 (£21,522 in inner London) and rise to £33,150 (£39,093 in inner London).

Applications for most initial teacher training courses are processed through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (Website), while undergraduate applications are processed through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Website).

The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994.  Its purpose is to contribute to raising standards in schools in Englandby attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of initial teacher training.