Teachers of Tomorrow

Teachers of Tomorrow is a brand-new initiative developed as a strategic response to the growing teacher shortage. Born out of a collaboration between The Edwin Group's recruitment agencies (Vision for Education, Smart Teachers and ABC Teachers) and the University of Sunderland, Teachers of Tomorrow aims to attract and prepare a new generation of educators by offering a comprehensive and supportive pathway into the teaching profession.

Addressing the teacher shortage

The teacher shortage in England is a pressing issue. Many schools are struggling to fill vacancies, maintain high educational standards and recruit specialists in core subject areas. According to the latest Initial Teacher Training Census for the 2024/25 academic year, there has been a significant shortfall in recruitment, with only 82% of the target number of trainees met. This is particularly acute in subjects such as physics, where only 22% of the target has been achieved. Teachers of Tomorrow will directly address this challenge.

What is Teachers of Tomorrow?

This new initiative is a structured 12-week training programme and school placement providing aspiring teachers with hands-on experience. With weekly tutoring sessions led by the University of Sunderland, dedicated course mentors and a guaranteed interview for the University of Sunderland's ITT PGCE programmes, Teachers of Tomorrow is an accessible and affordable direct pathway into teaching. It is designed with final-year university students and graduates in mind, who are considering a career in education. Teachers of Tomorrow will support them in training and learning about teaching, whilst providing classroom experience to put their new knowledge into practice.

High-quality training and effective teaching practices

The content is based on the University of Sunderland’s Five Foundation Concepts, which align with the Teachers’ Standards and form the basis of effective teaching practices. This alignment ensures that participants receive high-quality training that is directly relevant to their future roles as educators. Through recorded and live sessions, participants can develop their understanding of educational practices, reflect on their placement experiences and engage with experienced educators from the University of Sunderland’s School of Education.

During their 12-week paid placement in a school, participants will work exclusively within the department that aligns with their expert subject knowledge. Not only will this provide the placement school with a subject specialist and facilitate the sharing of best teaching practices, but it will also equip participants with valuable teaching experience – something many find hard to gain. Additionally, it will offer a strong foundation for their application to a PGCE programme.

Personalised support and career guidance

One of the stand-out features of Teachers of Tomorrow is the personalised support provided to each participant. The programme also includes a one-hour personal tutorial, during which students can discuss their reflections and considerations about a career in teaching. This tutorial offers tailored advice and support.

Inspiring a new generation

Teachers of Tomorrow has the potential to inspire a whole new generation into teaching. That is why The Edwin Group is contributing significantly to fund this initiative because they believe it will help address the teacher shortage and make a lasting impact in the sector.

Next steps

If your school or Multi-Academy Trust has struggled to recruit core subject specialists for secondary schools, we would love to hear from you. We are seeking partnerships with forward-thinking schools that recognise the benefits of this innovative programme and the positive impact it can have on teacher recruitment.

Gareth brings 14 years of expertise in supporting secondary schools across the North East with both temporary and permanent recruitment. In addition to his role at The Edwin Group, Gareth has been a member of the Management Committee for North East Partnership SCITT since 2018.