A career change achieved - eventually
Teaching is something that had always been at the back of my mind, even while I worked in lots of different roles over the years. It was one of those careers I felt naturally drawn to.
When I was living in London, I took part in a 10-day classroom experience—just observing, watching, getting a feel for the environment. I really enjoyed it, but the job they offered me afterwards was on the other side of London. It would have taken an hour and a half each way, which just wasn’t sustainable. Teaching salaries were also quite low compared to what I was earning in hospitality, so I ended up putting off my move.
Everything changed when we moved to Spain. I decided to do a TEFL qualification, thinking it would be a good way to get into work here—and it was. It led to a lovely role in a beautiful school in Córdoba, where I taught English in small extracurricular groups. I designed my own activities based on what I’d learned in my TEFL course and absolutely loved it.
When we later moved to Malaga for my partner’s work, I knew I wanted something more permanent in a school. I didn’t want to go back into hospitality or events, especially after having two little girls. Teaching offered something I really valued: a fulfilling job that would still allow me to spend evenings, weekends, and school holidays with my children. It felt like the right direction for our family and for me personally.
I also simply love working with children. Their natural curiosity and enthusiasm make the work rewarding, and the shift from a corporate setting to something so real and meaningful has been a truly positive change.
Why I chose NITE
When I started researching PGCE options, I narrowed it down to three. A couple of things immediately stood out about NITE. Key was the April start date—it gave me the flexibility to begin when I was ready rather than waiting until September.
I hadn’t heard of NITE before, so I did some reading and realised it had a fantastic reputation. I sent the details of the three shortlisted courses to the director of my school, and she immediately recommended NITE. She described it as a fantastic organisation with excellent online delivery. She was absolutely right.
Two of my colleagues are doing similar courses with different providers and their experience doesn’t compare. NITE’s technology, structure, support, and weekly meetings with a university mentor are far more comprehensive and far easier to use.
The reality of the course
I’m not going to lie—the course is intense. It’s a lot of work. But when I look back at how little time I’ve actually been on the programme since starting in April, I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned. The combination of theory and practice has been incredibly powerful. I don’t think I would have gained this level of understanding from practice alone.
I’m already putting theory into action and seeing the impact straight away. It’s making my teaching more effective and, honestly, making my life easier.
Support that makes a difference
Sally, my mentor, has been phenomenal. She is warm, supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely lovely. When you’re doing something challenging you need someone who makes you feel safe and encouraged. That’s exactly what she’s done. She responds to emails quickly, is always there to help, and has been so inspiring in our weekly tutorials.
Those tutorials have been great fun. There are only three of us in my group—one in Kazakhstan, one in Hungary, me in Spain, and Sally in England—so it feels like a truly international experience. We’ve really bonded and it’s reassuring to know you’re not doing this alone.
Challenge that reinforces learning
The biggest challenge is keeping up with everything. Weekly observations of other teachers, being observed yourself, coordinating this with your in-school mentor, organising meetings, completing paperwork—it’s a lot to manage. But all of it reinforces the learning, and over time you can feel the progress you’re making.
Would I recommend the iPGCE with NITE?
Absolutely. When my school director told me NITE was the strongest option, she was right. I can now see the difference clearly, especially comparing my experience with colleagues on other programmes. I feel like I’m learning so much more and getting so much more support.
If you’re considering an iPGCE, I would highly recommend NITE. It’s been challenging, inspiring, and completely worth it.
