A TRIO which has left behind other jobs to pursue teaching has achieved a milestone in its new career path.

All three – Helen Frewin, Jayne Johnson and Simon Webster – have completed their first placements, at South Craven School in Cross Hills and Harrogate Grammar School.

They took a leap of faith last year and enrolled on a course with Red Kite Teacher Training.

South Craven School was chosen by Red Kite in 2016 as a hub to train new teachers, taking a lead role in a nationally-recognised programme.

Jayne, 48, who is training to teach maths, previously worked as an actuary.

“I had been thinking about teaching for a while,” she said.

“With my three children at secondary school, I felt the time was right.

“I have really enjoyed taking on a new challenge and have found the training to be rewarding and exhilarating.”

Simon had a long career in the biotech industry before turning to teaching.

The 51-year-old, who is training to teach physics, said: “When I was choosing a course I was keen to get into school as soon as possible. I think it is hard to practice being a teacher without getting in front of a class and having a go.”

Helen, 43, has opted for science teaching after working for a corporate organisation for 25 years.

“In my previous job as a senior manager I worked really long hours,” she said.

“I have found the teacher training course to be very manageable.

“It is extremely structured and paperwork is kept to a minimum, allowing us to focus on our teaching.

“I have already been appointed to my first teaching job for September, which I am really looking forward to starting.”

In a recently-published ‘recruitment and retention’ report, the Government outlined plans to encourage more career changes to the teaching profession.

It announced a £6 million-plus investment in a range of initiatives, designed to attract people over 25.

Alison Hesley, director of Red Kite Teacher Training, said career changers applying to the organisation often had unfounded fears that they would feel out of place.

“They often ask whether they will be the only one but it is great to be able to reassure them that a large and increasing proportion of our trainees are career changers,” she added.

“Our school-centred training is particularly suitable for people who already have experience in the workplace.

“Many choose this route because they are immersed in school life from day one and learn from working alongside experienced teachers.

“This is sometimes preferable to the more traditional university-led training, which can feel like a step backwards into university life.

“The diversity of our trainees, coupled with the richness of our training, provides a wealth of knowledge and experience for the young people in our schools.”

Since it became an accredited ‘school-centred provider’ in 2016, Red Kite has trained over 200 primary and secondary school teachers and virtually all are now employed in the profession.

Most trainees work in schools within the Red Kite partnership, centred on North Yorkshire, Leeds and Harrogate.

But some have secured jobs in other parts of Yorkshire, in London and even as far afield as Dubai.

The course leads to qualified teacher status and a PGCE from the University of Leeds.

For more details, visit redkiteteachertraining.co.uk.