Thousands of teachers across the UK are on strike today in one of the biggest industrial actions of its kind in thirty years.

The two largest teacher unions, the NUT and the NASUWT have called for action following education minister, Michael Gove’s recent proposals over salary freezes, increased pension contributions, longer working hours and the introduction of performance related pay.

Schools have closed and teachers demand answers, as both trade unions have expressed their anger and disappointment that they haven’t able to enter into discussions with the Secretary of State for Education.

Considering the current state of unrest in the profession it may be difficult to believe that for the majority of teachers, their job is far more than a means to an end, it’s a vocation. 

At the heart of the matter, teaching is more than just holidays and good salaries – it’s about being in a position to inspire the next generation and make a genuine difference in a student’s life.

A career in teaching offers diverse and exciting challenges on a daily basis - no one day is the same, which is why more and more young people are embarking into a career in education, year on year. Furthermore, the various routes into teaching that are now available, mean that schools can attract and employ the best and brightest graduates.

Gone are the days when graduates had to study for their Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at university, as specialist schools now offer an alternative platform for teacher training, enabling trainees to learn their craft first hand from experienced and accomplished professionals.

One such group of professionals is our client, Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Fenham, for whom we’ve created a campaign to encourage would-be teachers to make the school - one of the highest performing in the city, their first choice of teacher training providers.

Sacred Heart is an Ofsted Outstanding school that became a Teaching School in 2011. It provides teaching support to an alliance of 20 schools across the northeast, as well as delivering Schools Direct, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) to graduates as an alternative to university based study.

The Sacred Heart ITT model is bespoke; focused on developing trainees through hands-on learning and training in the classrooms of the 20 schools that make up the Teaching School alliance, giving the trainees a well-rounded experience.

As a training provider they have a lot to offer prospective trainees, from the wide alliance of schools in which to train, to the Ofsted outstanding teachers who’ll share their expertise.

Our campaign, The Heart of Teacher Training, focuses on the positive influence teachers have on their students and the real change they can make in someone’s life. Additionally the key element to this was establishing the benefits of in-school teacher training and positioning Sacred Heart as THE place to qualify to teach in Newcastle.

Silver Bullet Account Manager Kerry Tudor explained, “The school and its wider alliance need to be the face of an inspirational and aspirational campaign that will demonstrate that the teaching profession is a vocation, without adhering to the misconception that people choose to teach for the number of holidays or the salary they’d receive.”

“We know that an outstanding teacher is not driven by holidays and money; they’re driven by the opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life and future.”

“The campaign demonstrates that Sacred Heart can deliver training suitable for the outstanding teachers of the future as well as displaying all of the reasons why Newcastle is an ideal location in which to learn. The city undeniably offers a great deal to its residents and we need to spread the word about this opportunity.”

Creative Director, Gemma Waller added, “Our challenge was to deliver a lot of information quickly and to make sure it leaves an impression. To achieve this we’ve presented the information with a series of colourful infographics and original imagery.”

“Ninety per cent of information that comes to the brain is visual. By using infographics we’ve used images to tell a story and communicate relatively complex information quickly and effectively, leaving a lasting message, that teaching is a fulfilling and enjoyable career, with clear calls to action – Sacred Heart is the place to qualify, so apply today.”

We’ve created a suite of marketing materials that highlight the benefits of the Scared Heart ITT programme, including exhibition stands, prospectuses, adverts and posters using real teachers from Sacred Heart as the subjects. Using real stories from current teachers makes the content much more convincing, especially when the target demographic is students and young professionals, we needed the campaign to be relatable in order to inspire new, quality recruits.

Are you interested in making a difference in someone’s future? Perhaps teaching is for you - apply online today at www.ITTSacredHeart.co.uk