The reality of teacher training: the good and the challenging
Choosing to train to teach is a big decision. For many of our trainees at Portsmouth SCITT, it is not just a career step, it is a life step. Some are coming straight from university, others are changing career, and many are balancing training alongside family life and other responsibilities.
So what is it really like?
The short answer is that it is incredibly rewarding, and at times, incredibly demanding. Both things are true.
The good: why people choose teaching, and stay
There are moments in teaching that are hard to replicate in any other profession.
You will see children grasp something for the first time because of how you explained it. You will build relationships that matter. You will start to see yourself not just as someone delivering lessons, but as a teacher shaping experiences and outcomes.
Many trainees talk about a growing sense of purpose as the year progresses. What begins as “trying to get through the day” gradually becomes “I can see the difference I am making”.
There is also a strong sense of community. At Portsmouth SCITT, trainees are supported by mentors, link tutors and a wider partnership of academies who understand that learning to teach is a process. You are not expected to be the finished product on day one.
For those with families, there are long-term benefits that are often part of the motivation for training. Being able to share school holidays, having a career that aligns more closely with family life, and being part of your own children’s educational journey are all things our trainees value.
The challenge: what can feel difficult
It is important to be honest about this part.
Teacher training is intensive. There is a lot to learn, and much of that learning happens while you are already in the classroom.
Workload can feel like the biggest challenge, particularly in the first term. Planning lessons, reflecting on practice, gathering evidence, and keeping up with training sessions all sit alongside the day-to-day experience of being in school.
There are also emotional demands. Teaching involves constant decision-making, managing behaviour, responding to feedback, and reflecting on what you could do differently next time. That can be tiring.
For trainees who are parents or have other responsibilities, the challenge can feel more complex. Balancing training with childcare, family routines, and financial considerations requires careful planning and, at times, difficult choices.
Some trainees describe moments where they feel physically present at home but mentally still at work, running through to-do lists or replaying the day. Others talk about needing to be very intentional about protecting time with their family.
These experiences are not unusual, and importantly, they are not permanent.
What helps: realistic expectations and support
One of the most important things you can bring into your training year is a realistic understanding of what lies ahead.
There will be weeks that feel manageable and others that feel more challenging. There is often a point in the autumn term where everything feels harder than expected. This is a normal part of the learning curve, not a sign that you are not suited to teaching.
Over time, things begin to shift. Routines become more familiar. Planning becomes more efficient. Confidence grows.
At Portsmouth SCITT, we place a strong emphasis on:
- Structured support through mentors and link tutors
- Manageable progression in teaching responsibility
- Open conversations about workload and wellbeing
- Clear guidance on what matters most
We also encourage trainees to think carefully about how they organise their time. That might mean setting boundaries around evening work, planning ahead for busy weeks, or making use of support networks both in and out of school.
If you are a parent, it is about finding a rhythm that works for you and your family. That will look different for everyone, and it may take time to establish, but it is possible.
The bigger picture
It is easy in the middle of a busy week to focus only on what is difficult. That is why we encourage trainees to hold onto their “why”.
Why did you choose teaching?
What matters to you about this career?
Those answers become particularly important during the more challenging moments.
Because alongside the workload and the steep learning curve, there is something else happening. You are developing a set of skills, knowledge and professional judgement that will stay with you for your entire career.
By the end of the year, most trainees look back and recognise how far they have come. What once felt overwhelming becomes part of everyday practice.
Final thoughts
Teacher training is not easy. It is not designed to be.
But it is purposeful, structured, and supported. And for those who commit to the process, it leads to a career that is both meaningful and sustainable.
At Portsmouth SCITT, we are honest about the challenges because we know that with the right support, people can and do succeed.
If you are considering training to teach, the question is not whether it will be demanding. It will be.
The question is whether it is the right challenge for you.