Bea Clarke: Graduate Teacher with SEND

Bea Clarke

BA Education Studies, 2024

First job:

Education worker, IntoUniversity.

Strangest interview question:

If you had to juggle, unicycle or spin plates, which would you choose and why?

What should current students or recent alumni be doing to move their careers forward?

Get as many experiences as possible in anything – paid or voluntary. Keep up to date with the news and current social issues in and outside of your desired sector or industry.

Favourite memory?

Graduating! Walking across that stage after the best three years was a memorable moment. The years were tough, and it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but it was such an achievement. My younger self was proud on that day!

Favourite place on campus?

Sports hub!

Graduate Teacher with SEND, The Warwick School

Describe your current role and what attracted you to it.

Having completed an Education Studies degree, and spending a year in the charity sector, I decided I was ready for a school-based role. Initially, I applied for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) position at Warwick School, but I was lucky that, during my interview, the offered me a trainee teacher contract. This is the equivalent of a School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme that lasts for two years. During my first year, I have used my previous experience to support the Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) team, planning and running English booster lessons, as well as study skills sessions for Year 11s. I’m doing this alongside a slow and steady introduction to teaching. Unlike a PGCE, this route does not include any link to a university, meaning no academic essays or assignments. Instead, I need to evidence how I am meeting the national teacher standards through portfolio evidence. I am loving my training so far.

What motivates you to do what you do?

Teaching has always been something I wanted to do. I had amazing teachers growing up who cared and nurtured me, not only academically but personally too. Teaching isn’t just an academic endeavour, and schools aren’t just exam factories. It’s a privilege to be part of many young people’s journeys - I help them work out who they are and who they want to be.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

I enjoy the fact I’m learning in the job. From day one I was trusted with my own classes and students. I have always been treated as an equal member of staff. I love the variety of different students and staff I get to work with. I love that I can get involved with the wider school life like leading a badminton club each week after school. Plus, I get to go on lots of school trips.

What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?

My top three:

• Resilience
• Adaptability
• Communication

Why did you choose Warwick?

I chose Warwick because I valued the diversity of modules that I would be able to study with an Education Studies degree. The Department was reputable, and I felt at home during my first visit to the campus. I wanted to study somewhere that was away from home, but not too far from my family.

Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at Warwick?

I always knew teaching might be what I ended up in, but I didn’t want to be too hasty with that decision just because I was studying education. When I applied for the role at Warwick School, my plan was to spend a couple of years in a school environment before pursuing educational psychology.

How has your time at Warwick influenced what you do now?

After graduation, I was keen to explore other pathways before pursuing teaching. I worked in the charity sector for a year, delivering a variety of educational programmes to young people from low socio-economic backgrounds. I remained local and did this in Coventry, which allowed me to continue living with friends from University who were still studying. My time at Warwick inspired me to try new things and not settle for one specific pathway. Despite being a teacher now, Warwick affirmed that teaching doesn’t have to be my lifelong career. I learned to become comfortable trying new things.

What top tips do you have for Warwick graduates who would like to work in your sector?

Use your time at university to get as much experience in whatever you’re interested in. Nowadays, employers are keen to understand what practical experience you have and what transferable skills you could bring to the role. Experience equals opportunity.

Best thing about the Warwick community?

Specifically, I have to say the members of staff at The Centre for Education Studies. As it was a relatively smaller course, they took the time to get to know me: my background, interests, strengths and weaknesses. They helped me during tough personal times but also pushed me to aim higher in everything I did. This wasn’t always easy, but it helped me become a better person. I will always be grateful for their support during that time.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

Deciding to commit to teacher training. Teaching nowadays gets such a bad reputation. I was hesitant to leave my job in the charity sector but deep down I wasn’t fulfilled enough and felt like I needed a bigger challenge. Making that change was scary. However, from all my experiences at Warwick, I knew I could take the challenge head on and adapt my life in whatever way I needed to make the most of the teaching chapter.

What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were applying for jobs?

Rejection isn’t a bad thing, often it will open much brighter pathways. Don’t let rejection get in your head.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in relation to your career?

Be humble but be confident. Each role you have is a stepping stone to the success you want. Even if you aren’t happy or enjoying what you’re doing right now, it will shape you for the better.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

Once qualified, I would like to have a middle leadership position as soon as possible e.g. Head of Year. I would love to move and teach overseas, allowing me to continue my career progression whilst also travelling, which is a passion of mine.