A career in teaching is accessible through any degree. Schools in the private sector do not even ask for a PGCE or BEd, if you are brave enough to plunge right into a school with no formal training! The PGCE itself is a highly intensive and demanding, one year course which on successful completion leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). During the year you will be expected to take in a huge amount of information, but there is plenty of opportunity for practical in-school experience and extensive supervision and guidance. The course is also offered under flexible conditions with multiple start and finish dates, allowing you to complete teacher training with other comittments. Once you have gained QTS you can begin right away as a newly qualified teacher (NQT). It's tough and there is no way of being 'broken in gently'. Recruitment literature for big city jobs often aims to attract applicants by offering 'responsibility from day one'. This is it. Especially promising teachers can join the fast track scheme, which offers the chance to rise rapidly through the ranks.

Every skill that you possess will come in handy at some point in your teaching career. That said, there are some more obviously necessary for the job. Enthusiasm and boundless energy combined with the creativity to make learning fun. Dedication to your job beyond regular school hours. Above all, responsibility. You will be providing the knowledge and wisdom on which young, impressionable minds will be building their future.

The starting salary for a newly qualified teacher stands at around £17,000 (£20,000 in London). As you progress through the school hierarchy, from departmental head to Head Teacher, you can be earning up to £50,000. Although school hours are 9 to 4, and there are 13 weeks holiday in the school calendar, you can expect your commitment to go way beyond this. Marking, extra curricular clubs, school trips... it's all part of the fun!

Primary School Teacher

Work is centred primarily around one class, so teachers must be multi-skilled, and be as happy teaching basic maths as history. The primary burden on teachers in this field is class preparation, as the attention spans of small children are notoriously small!

Secondary School Teacher

Tending to teach more pupils than primary school teachers, those in secondary schools are focused around one subject. This means more marking, and a greater test of memory skills (especially with large secondary school class sizes). Teaching styles must be flexible, as the type of relationship teachers have with their students in secondary schools changes as pupils grow older.

Special Needs Teacher

A far more specific remit, special needs assistants will aid students both in large classes and on their own. The challenge presented to special needs assistants varies from pupil to pupil and condition to condition, and all assistants need a working knowledge of their student's condition.