The science of switching to a career in teaching
Neil Simpkins's new life in the classroom has fulfilled his ambition to focus on physics and encourage the next generation to get involved in the subject
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Your support makes all the difference.Many of life's questions can be explained by physics," says Neil Simpkins, 44, revealing an obvious passion for the subject. A teacher at John Cabot Academy in Bristol, Neil says he wants his students "to know everything I know".
"For instance, just the other day, I was explaining how lightning works," he says. "I believe that by being a good teacher, I can help my students understand and appreciate how physics is central to understanding the universe around us."
Neil was tempted into the classroom after 19 years in industry. "I worked in a laboratory, formulating and testing printing inks for the packaging industry. It was a chemistry-based job, but the testing used physics-based techniques." Ready for a change, he took his postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE) at Bristol university in 2011-12 and specialised in physics. "When I first went to university for my BSc, I studied chemistry, physics and astronomy. During this time, I found physics to be a stimulating, beautiful and exciting subject. I decided teaching would provide me with a platform to inspire children and get them to understand some of the most interesting and important ideas humans have ever had."
Today, there's a raft of opportunities for those interested in postgraduate teacher training - particularly those focusing on subject areas such as physics. They may be offered a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course programme, to top up subject knowledge and the Premier Plus service can provide one-to-one guidance and support throughout the application process. There is a range of scholarships and tax-free bursaries on offer. Graduates with a 2:1 or a 1st could receive a £25,000 scholarship or £20,000 tax-free bursary while training to teach subjects like physics.
For Neil, the transition into teaching felt natural. He was also involved in the Scout movement, and helped his son with school work. "Seeing his enjoyment of learning really fired up my motivation to switch careers and train to teach."
Now, industry experience only adds to that drive. "I teach things I've done," Neil explains. "That can help it seem more relevant and interesting for students. I'd advise anyone thinking of changing to a career in teaching to do it. This is the happiest I've ever been in employment."
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