Starting a career in teaching is a significant decision, and spending some time in a real classroom can be an invaluable way to see if it’s truly the right path for you. Research from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) report on the teacher labour market highlights how essential hands-on experience is for anyone considering entering the profession. Gaining this early insight not only strengthens your teacher training application but also gives you a realistic sense of what daily life in education involves.
In this guide, we’ll look at practical ways to get classroom experience, what you can expect from it, and how to use what you learn to build a rewarding teaching career.
This guide explores practical ways to get classroom experience, what to expect, and how to use that experience to prepare for a successful teaching career.
Why Teaching Experience Matters
Gaining real classroom experience before committing to teacher training is crucial. It’s your opportunity to fully confirm that teaching is the right long-term path and genuinely understand the day-to-day rhythm of the job. You'll observe essential skills firsthand, like successful behaviour management strategies, effective lesson planning, and the overall dynamics that hold a classroom together. By building relationships with pupils, you start growing the confidence and communication skills needed to lead, which, in turn, provides concrete, practical examples to significantly strengthen your formal training application. This inside view ensures you make a fully informed decision about what motivates you, the environment that best suits your style, and the age group or subject where your passion truly lies.
Ways to Gain Teaching Experience
If you are thinking of becoming a teacher, there are several different options when it comes to getting some real-world experience under your belt. Here we can explore some of your options.
1. Volunteering in Schools
Volunteering is one of the most common and accessible ways to gain experience. There are plenty of schools who are more than happy to welcome volunteers to support teachers in the classroom, listen to pupils read, or assist with small group activities.
- Who it suits: Those exploring teaching for the first time.
- Benefits: Direct experience in a real classroom; flexibility to fit around other work.
- How to find opportunities: Contact local primary or secondary schools, or check local council education pages for volunteering schemes.
Volunteering not only gives you an excellent view into the world of teaching but also demonstrates initiative and commitment, which will stand you in good stead when it comes to teacher training applications. If you are interested in volunteering in a school visit the government’s get information about schools page for further details.
2. Becoming a Teaching Assistant
Working as a teaching assistant (TA) is another excellent and popular option for budding teachers to experience life inside the classroom. Becoming a TA gives a more structured experience and requires no formal teaching qualifications. This chance to work closely with pupils and teachers daily can really help you decide whether teaching is the right career path for you.
- Who it suits: Individuals seeking paid, hands-on experience before training.
- Benefits: Develops skills in classroom management, differentiation, and supporting diverse learning needs.
- How to apply: TA roles are often advertised on local authority websites, job boards, or through education recruitment agencies such as Horizon Teachers.
Many trainee teachers start as teaching assistants to gain a solid foundation and confidence in supporting learning.
3. Paid School Experience Programmes
Several structured programmes help prospective teachers gain experience:
| Programme | Description | Duration | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Experience Programme (SEP) | Run by the Department for Education, this scheme allows participants to spend time observing lessons and talking to teachers. | 1–10 days | No |
| Teaching Internships | Summer placements for university students interested in teaching STEM or shortage subjects. | 3–4 weeks | Yes |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant roles | Full-time positions assisting in secondary schools; ideal for graduates. | 6–12 months | Yes |
These routes are particularly helpful for those applying for PGCE or School Direct courses, as they show genuine commitment and an understanding of school life.
4. Tutoring and Mentoring
Tutoring, either privately or through organisations, is another effective way to gain teaching experience and develop communication and planning skills.
- Who it suits: Those confident in a subject and able to work independently.
- Benefits: Builds confidence in explaining concepts, supporting individual learners, and adapting teaching methods.
- Examples: Becoming a volunteer tutor through charities like Action Tutoring, Tutor Trust, or The Access Project.
Mentoring young people outside of school settings — such as through youth groups or homework clubs — can also provide relevant experience that demonstrates leadership and empathy.
5. Working with Children in Other Settings
Experience doesn’t have to come exclusively from schools. Any work involving children and young people can strengthen your skills and demonstrate your suitability for teaching.
Examples include:
- Youth work or after-school clubs
- Summer camps or activity leader roles
- Sports coaching
- Childcare or early years work
These roles build transferable skills such as communication, organisation, patience, and behaviour management — all essential qualities for teachers.
How to Make the Most of Your Experience
Simply gaining experience isn’t enough — reflecting on what you’ve learned helps you grow and prepares you for interviews or training applications.
| Step | Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Observe | Notice different teaching styles and classroom strategies. | How teachers manage transitions or handle disruptions. |
| Participate | Offer help with small tasks or groups. | Supporting literacy activities or marking. |
| Reflect | Think about what you’ve learned. | What aspects of teaching motivated you most? |
| Record | Keep a journal or log of your experience. | Useful for your teacher training personal statement. |
When applying for teacher training, use specific examples: moments where you helped a pupil, observed effective teaching, or overcame a challenge. This shows genuine insight into the profession. Consider looking through some teaching resources to help you gain a better understanding of what kind of preparation and resources teachers might need to help deliver a successful lesson.
Common FAQs About Gaining Teaching Experience
Do I need classroom experience before applying for teacher training?
While not always mandatory, experience is strongly recommended. It shows that you understand the demands of the profession and are genuinely motivated.
How much experience should I have?
There’s no set amount, but one to two weeks of school-based experience is a good starting point. More is better, especially for competitive training routes.
Do I need to be DBS checked?
Yes. DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service, and it is important to get DBS checked before you work with children. Schools will ask that you have an up to date DBS before permitting you to do so. You can learn more about DBS checks here.
Can I gain experience while studying?
Absolutely. Many universities encourage volunteering in local schools or offer part-time tutoring roles.
What if I can’t get into a school?
Consider related experience, such as youth work, tutoring, or mentoring. It still counts as relevant experience when applying for teacher training.
Can I work as an unqualified teacher?
If you want to dive into the world of teaching without having to study for a teaching degree, read our useful blog, ‘Can I work as an unqualified teacher?’ which explores the various options you might have.
Final Thoughts
Gaining teaching experience before becoming a teacher is useful for a number of reasons. In doing so you can confirm your passion for teaching and gain valuable insight into what it’s really like to work in a school setting. Whether you volunteer, work as a teaching assistant, or tutor, each experience helps you understand what makes great teaching and whether it’s the right path for you. Once you have gained experience and feel confident that teaching is what you want to do, you can learn more about how to apply to become a teacher here.
The more time you spend in educational settings, the clearer your motivation and direction will become — setting you up for a confident start to your teaching career.
