In April 2019, an investigation by the National Education Union shed light on the high percentage of teachers turning their backs on the education industry. With continued budget cuts and mounting pressures from OFSTED inspectors and parents alike, it’s no wonder 32,375 teachers have left the state school system in the last five years*.
The study is based on responses from 86,000 school staff -26% admit they intend on leaving the sector in the next five years. But what career options lay ahead of those who have spent years stood in front of a classroom of students?
Former education professionals come with a whole host of attributes required to run a successful business, something these individuals are quickly wising up to. Edouard Wood’s experience in teaching has benefited his future entrepreneurial endeavours in more ways than one. Having now launched a franchise with children’s multi award-winning music education company, The Strings Club, he is able to draw from his 20 years’ experience as a violin teacher.
“I’d worked in a freelance capacity for a number of
years before starting my own franchise last summer, so although I had a good
idea of what it takes to work for yourself, the franchise model really suits my
lifestyle. The level of support I get from my franchisor is invaluable,” said Edouard. “There’s
less of this ‘us and them’ mentality that you come across so often in teaching.
My business is growing steadily and I’m confident that the earning potential
will far outweigh what I’d earned when I was teaching on my own.”
However, not all former teaching professionals are opting to continue in the education field. Nicola Whybrow, former school teacher from Oxfordshire, now operates a House of Colour franchise. She puts much of her success down to the skills picked up during her years as a teacher and the lack of restrictions in her new career.
“There are so many transferrable skills linked with
teaching that are relevant to business management – communication, time-keeping,
patience and resilience,” explained Nicola. “Despite leaving the education
industry to start my own colour and image consultancy franchise in 2017, I find
myself referring back to my teacher training regularly. But when I was working
as a teacher, my time was so stretched that I hardly had the time to realise I
was using this skillset. Now, I have the time to advance my professional skills
and build a credible and stable future for myself. It’s poles apart from my teaching
career.
“I can work eight days in a month and bring home more
money that I did working five day weeks as a teacher. I finally have the time
for my family, the money for nice, long holidays and a quality of life I could
have never imagined I would have,” explained Nicola.
Whether you choose to stay in the education field or something entirely different, former teachers have a wealth of options in business ownership. Explore these educational brands at The International Franchise Show on 3-4 April 2020 at ExCeL London, visit: thefranchiseshow.co.uk to register for free.
* https:/neu.org.uk/media/6831/view
For more information, visit www.thefranchiseshow.co.uk
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