Gaining school work experience

Completing voluntary placements in schools can strengthen your applications, particularly for school-led teacher training programmes. If you're already working in a school, you could be at the top of the list if any training opportunities arise.

School work experience: your first-day checklist

• Know the basics - Familiarise yourself with the school's address, start and finish times, and the name of your mentor or supervisor.
• Dress appropriately - Smart-casual or professional, ask in advance and follow the school’s dress code.
• Bring essentials - Notebook, pen, water bottle, and any required ID or paperwork.
• Understand safeguarding - Be aware of child protection rules and who to report concerns to.
• Be punctual - Arrive on time every day, as lateness is quickly noticed.
• Learn classroom etiquette - Respect students and staff, follow instructions, and avoid interrupting lessons.
• Observe and take notes - Pay attention to teaching styles, classroom management, and student interactions.
• Be helpful - Assist with resources, group activities, or administrative tasks when asked.
• Stay professional - Maintain confidentiality, avoid using your personal phone and communicate politely at all times.
• Reflect and ask questions - At the end of each day, consider what you've learned and ask teachers for guidance where appropriate.

What are the benefits of school work experience?

Although school work experience is not always a formal requirement, it provides valuable insight into the teaching profession. It can also strengthen your teacher training application and help you prepare for interviews. Volunteering at a school will provide:

• a realistic view of the teaching profession, including the workload, challenges, and rewards. Learn more about what it’s like to work as a primary or secondary school teacher
• evidence of your commitment
• knowledge of the national curriculum/education system of the region you're applying to work in
• practical examples you can draw on in personal statements, applications and interviews
• the opportunity to observe and learn from experienced teachers.

Discover how volunteering can help your career.

How can I find school work experience?

Finding school work experience can take time, particularly during busy periods in the academic year. Starting your search early and contacting several schools will increase your chances of securing a placement.

Try to gain experience in different educational settings, such as the following:

• academies
• colleges
• primary schools
• secondary schools
• special schools,

To begin your search:

• Try contacting schools, nurseries and colleges directly and ask if you can visit, shadow or observe the teachers. For contact details, visit GOV.UK - Get information about schools.
• Check with family and friends, as you may find someone who has good links with schools.
• Many university courses include a period of work experience as part of the course. If you have to complete a dissertation, you may choose to base it on work in a school. Visit the volunteering department at your university and ask about school placements.
• Some universities run student-tutoring programmes where you tutor other students or go into schools to help with classes. Check with your university's careers service or students' union for more details.
• If you're thinking of teaching in England, Get Into Teaching can help you find a local school. Look out for taster courses, school visits and open days to give you an insight into teaching and teacher training.
• Most local authorities and teaching agencies advertise vacancies on their websites, including learning mentor, teaching assistant and laboratory technician or cover supervisor.
• Charities or local authorities in your area may run schemes for voluntary mentors to work with pupils, often on a one-to-one basis.

If you're unable to arrange a placement immediately, look for teacher training events, webinars and virtual school experience opportunities to build your understanding of the profession.

Search for work experience in the teaching and education sector.

How to ask for school work experience

You should personalise your message by mentioning why you’re interested in that particular school and what you hope to learn from the experience. This often helps make your request more genuine and memorable.

If you don't receive a response, it's acceptable to send a polite follow-up email after a week or two.

Do I need a DBS check for work experience?

If you're volunteering regularly or working closely with children, you may need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Requirements vary between schools and education settings, so check with the organisation before your placement begins.

Many schools can arrange short-term work experience or classroom observation without you obtaining your own DBS check in advance.

Schools may also ask you to read safeguarding policies or complete basic safeguarding training before your placement begins.

What can I expect during school work experience?

You may need to go to the school beforehand and speak with the headteacher or your potential mentor about their expectations and your goals to ensure they’re aligned.

The activities you undertake will depend on the school, age group and placement opportunity, but may include:

• helping to plan activities and, in some cases, delivering them
• photocopying and preparing classroom materials
• reading with small groups of children or one-on-one
• shadowing different teachers and attending staff meetings
• supervising children during break times.

Most work experience placements focus on observation rather than teaching, particularly at the beginning. As you become more familiar with the setting, you may be given opportunities to support small-group activities or assist with classroom tasks.

How much school work experience do I need?

Most teacher training courses don't specify a minimum requirement. However, spending time in a classroom can help you understand the realities of teaching, strengthen your application and give you examples to discuss in interviews. Even a few days of observation can be valuable, while longer-term volunteering can help you build confidence and develop relationships within a school.

How can I gain experience working with children?

Your experience doesn't have to be classroom-based, as working with children in any setting demonstrates commitment, dedication and reliability. You could get involved in:

• afterschool clubs
• coaching a sports team
• mentoring
• Scouts/Guides
• summer camps
• youth clubs.

While these activities can help you develop useful skills, they should not replace classroom experience.

For more ideas of what you could do, see volunteering with children or search volunteering opportunities.

How can I make the most of my school work experience?

• Behave in a professional manner, as you may be approaching this school for a job in the future.
• Use your time wisely. Offer to help wherever you can, take responsibility, consider running a club or find something that you can contribute to the school.
• Talk to the teachers about how they got into teaching, as this may open up other routes you hadn't thought of.
• Actively observe different teaching styles, thinking about which you prefer and why.
• Keep a log of your work experiences, both positive and negative. Reflect on them and consider how you might do it differently.
• Aim to become a regular volunteer. This way, both you and the school will benefit more from the experience.

Find out more

• Read all about work experience and internships.