Steps To Become An A-Level Law Teacher

Teaching A-level law is a rewarding career in further education (FE), allowing you to prepare future legal professionals for their academic and career journeys. To become an A-level law teacher, you will need to obtain a degree, complete initial teacher training, and gain experience in the field. FE colleges are the largest employers in the education sector, and as an FE law teacher, your role will primarily involve planning and preparing lessons, marking student assessments, and monitoring student progress. You will also be expected to work in line with the curriculum and provide support to students. While a degree is not always necessary, relevant work experience is essential.

Choose your subject area

If you want to teach A-Level law, you must first choose law as your specialist subject. This may be an academic subject you've studied throughout school or a vocational subject you've taken up at sixth form or college. It's important to note that you should choose a subject that A-Level exam boards recognise to ensure teaching roles are available in that subject area.

A-Level teachers are further education (FE) teachers who teach students aged 16 and over. They teach within colleges or sixth forms through lessons, seminars, group activities, and demonstrations. A-Level teachers usually work on a part-time or full-time basis and teach young adults from a range of backgrounds, ages, and disabilities.

As an A-Level law teacher, you will be responsible for planning and preparing lessons, researching and developing new topics and teaching materials, supervising practical work and institutional field trips, keeping up to date with and implementing school or college policies, monitoring, assessing, and marking students' work, planning and implementing additional support for struggling students, tracking and maintaining records of students' progress, and providing pastoral support as a personal tutor to students.

It is important to choose a subject area that you are passionate about, as you will be teaching this subject continuously five days a week.

Complete a bachelor's degree

To become an A-Level law teacher, you will need to complete a bachelor's degree in your chosen subject area. This is the minimum education requirement for the role. Aspiring A-Level law teachers typically enrol in a pre-law program, which takes three to four years to complete. While it is not mandatory to have a degree in pre-law, it may help prepare you for success in advanced legal concepts classes.

• Political science: Understanding the politics that often accompany laws and how laws apply to political systems can be beneficial.
• Psychology: Studying psychology can help you understand how people think and behave, enhancing your comprehension of how and why legislators draft laws.
• English: A background in English can aid in better understanding the language used in laws and legal documents.
• Criminal justice: Learning about criminal justice provides insight into criminality and how the law applies to criminal activity.
• History: Studying history helps understand the evolution of laws and their application in the present.
• Philosophy: A background in philosophy can provide insight into how lawmakers think and how different people interpret the law.

It is important to note that entry requirements may vary between universities and institutions, so be sure to check the specific requirements for your desired course and school. Most universities require students to obtain two or three A-Levels in relevant subjects, typically between grades A* to C.

Study for a teaching qualification

To teach A-level law in the UK, you will need to secure a job at a Further Education (FE) college. Candidates applying for FE law jobs will be required to have some form of initial teacher training. Within the first five years of taking on the role, FE law teachers will be required to obtain a certificate in teaching the lifelong sector, a PGCE/Cert Ed in FE, or a diploma in teaching in the lifelong sector.

The PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is a popular route into teaching for graduates. It is a one or two-year course that combines academic study with placements in schools. The course will prepare you to teach your chosen subject to students aged 11-18. The Cert Ed (Certificate in Education) is a similar qualification that is also available as a one or two-year course. It is designed for those who are working or volunteering in a teaching role and want to develop their skills and knowledge.

The diploma in teaching in the lifelong sector is a qualification that is suitable for those teaching in further education colleges, sixth form colleges, adult education institutes, and work-based learning environments. It is a competency-based qualification that will allow you to develop your teaching skills and knowledge.

The certificate in teaching the lifelong sector is a qualification that is suitable for those who are new to teaching and want to develop their skills and knowledge. It is a competency-based qualification that will provide an introduction to teaching and allow you to develop your skills.

Gain experience

Once you have completed your bachelor's degree and teaching qualification, it is time to start gaining experience. There are several ways to do this. You could contact the head of the law department at your local school or college and enquire about potential work experience opportunities. This could involve volunteer teaching or work shadowing. Alternatively, you could gain experience working with young people more generally. This could include getting involved with local youth clubs, charities, volunteer organisations or sports clubs. Some universities also offer school placement modules or internships as part of your course, so be sure to contact your university careers department to source potential work opportunities.

Work experience will give you an insight into the day-to-day life of a teacher and help you develop the skills needed for the role. It will also demonstrate your commitment to teaching and give you an advantage when applying for A-Level teaching jobs.

If you are unable to gain work experience, you could consider other ways to build relevant experience. For example, you could get involved with local community projects or organisations that work with young people. You could also develop your public speaking and communication skills by joining a public speaking club or taking on leadership roles that involve presenting and interacting with others.

Another way to gain experience is to continue your education and pursue a master's or doctoral degree. This can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field of law. It can also provide you with additional knowledge and skills that will be beneficial when applying for A-Level teaching jobs.

Look for A-Level teaching jobs

Once you have completed your teaching degree and obtained certification, you can start looking for A-Level Law teaching jobs. Here are some tips to help you with your job search:

• Consider the type of position you want: Think about the location, type of school, and schedule you prefer. Do you want to work as a classroom teacher, or would you rather teach a specific subject like Law? Deciding on your preferences will help you narrow down your search.
• Create a plan: Determine how much time you can dedicate to your job search each day. Keep in mind that teaching positions become available throughout the year, but many schools post positions in the spring for the upcoming academic year.
• Update your resume and teaching portfolio: Ensure your resume highlights your degree, recent work experience, and relevant teaching skills. Create a teaching portfolio that showcases your teaching materials and work samples.
• Begin your job search: Here are some ways to find A-Level Law teaching jobs:
• Job search websites: Use online job search sites like Schoolspring.com, Educationamerica.net, Indeed.com, or Monster.com. Set up alerts to be notified of new job postings that match your preferences.
• Professional association websites: Look for available teaching jobs on websites like the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) or the National Education Association.
• School district websites: Visit the websites of school districts where you want to teach. They often list employment opportunities, including teacher's aide and substituting positions, which can be a great way to get started in the field.
• Charter and private school websites: These schools also post job openings on their websites.
• Job fairs: Attend job fairs hosted by schools or communities to meet school officials and learn about open teaching positions.
• Nonprofit organizations: Organizations like Teach For America and Teach For All help connect new teachers with jobs. You can also look for state-level nonprofits with similar goals.
• Networking: Reach out to schools where you completed internships or teaching residencies. Contact other education specialists to let them know you are job hunting.
• Education recruitment agencies: Create a profile and upload your resume and documents to education recruitment agency websites. Some offer free services, while others charge a fee.
• Be patient: Finding a teaching job can take time, and you may not land your dream job right away. It is beneficial to gain experience wherever you can and stay open-minded to advance your teaching career.

Frequently asked questions