Careers & Employability ServiceTeaching in non-school settings/alternative roles in education

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

General information

Arts and heritage education

Environmental and outdoor education

Hospital education

Play education

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

Professional bodies