Sector overview
Education alternatives
The AGCAS Education Alternatives 2024 publication provides useful information about a wide range of education-related careers other than teaching in mainstream schools.
A flavour of what is included is available through two podcasts featuring Mark, the AGCAS digital host, and Ellie, a final year student interested in a career in education outside of teaching in mainstream schools. They discuss several alternative roles in education and how to get into them.
The resource is divided into two main sections:
- Section A: Teaching in alternative settings - roles which involve teaching, but not in mainstream education. Most but not all of these roles require teaching qualifications. Listen to the podcast (Episode 1)
- Section B: Alternative roles in education - roles within the broader education sector, and beyond. Most of these roles do not require a teaching qualification, but in many cases it could be beneficial. Listen to the podcast (Episode 2)
Typical job profiles
- Environmental education officer
- Museum education officer
- Outdoor activities/education manager
- Private tutor
General information
- Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
- Skills Active - Sector Skills Council for active leisure and learning and wellbeing
Arts and heritage education
- British Film Institute (BFI) Education
- Engage - promoting engagement and participation in the visual arts
- Group for Education in Museums (GEM) - championing heritage learning, including job opportunities
- National Drama - training and resources for drama teachers and theatre directors
- National Theatre - education strand
Environmental and outdoor education
- United States Environmental Protection Agency - a website providing classroom resources
- Countryside Learning - a charity promoting education about the countryside - includes events
- Social Farms & Gardens - a charity supporting communities to farm, garden, and grow together
- Field Studies Council - resources and training
- Institute for Outdoor Learning - jobs, training, and professional development
- Scottish Outdoor Education Centres - including job opportunities
Hospital education
- Glasgow City Council Hospital Education Service
- Hospital Organisation of Pedagogues in Europe (HOPE)
- Manchester Hospital School
Play education
- Early Years Scotland
- Health Play Staff - information from the NHS in England and Wales
- Early Years Alliance
Prison education
- GOV.UK Instructor - applies to England and Wales
- Women in Prison - national charity that supports women affected by the criminal justice system, includes job vacancies
Traveller education
- Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers (ACERT) - includes training and professional development resources
- National Association of Teachers of Travellers and Other Professionals (NATT+) - includes resources and a contact list of organisations
- Scottish Traveller Education Programme (STEP)
Professional bodies
- National Drama - the professional association for drama teachers
- National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS)
- Institute for Outdoor Learning
- National Association of Teachers of Travellers and Other Professionals (NATT+)