Programme
Our flagship initiative connecting independent and state schools in the UK to drive great STEM outcomes
Attracting career-changers to Computer Science teaching
Now Teach’s mission is to attract and recruit experienced and successful professionals to change careers and enter teaching. The partnership between the Foundation and Now Teach supports the recruitment of Computer Science teachers directly from the worlds of business, science and IT to teach in secondary schools across England. Computer Science is one of the most in demand subjects with the largest shortage of specialist teachers.
The Hg Foundation-funded programme offers career-changers a free two-year support package of 1-2-1 guidance, wellbeing, subject and career coaching and access to a support network of 1,000 peers. The programme also enhances technology and AI knowledge across the Now Teach community, through working groups and online hubs to share best practice.
As a result of the partnership, 21 technology specialists have been recruited to computer science teaching, and a further 13 candidates from technology backgrounds accepted offers to train in a broader range of subjects. The programme is now supporting them through the first two years of their teaching careers.
“A move into teaching can be a hugely rewarding career change for those currently working in tech. The UK’s digital skills deficit combined with years of underrecruiting computer teachers, makes Computer Science educators gold dust for the UK education system. The Hg Foundation’s support means trainees can help young people access new fields and teach them the transferable skills to open up sectors, from engineering to healthcare, that could lead to careers in software engineering and web design.”
"The most important factor driving social mobility in tech is access to expert teachers in tech-relevant subjects. The shortage of teachers in Computer Science particularly impacts those from lower income homes and in less affluent schools – so we are delighted to be partnering with Now Teach to identify a new cadre of specialists who can bring their real world knowledge to bear on the next generation.”
