Skills Minister Visits University to Talk Teaching, Politics and Life Lessons

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith has spoken about how her training as a teacher at the University of Worcester helped to shape her future, including her role as the first woman to serve as Home Secretary.

Appearing on an episode of the University’s Early Career Teacher podcast, Jacqui talked about her time as a student at Worcester and about her 11-year teaching career in the county. She also offered some advice to newly qualified teachers.

“Looking around at PGCEs, I knew Worcester had a good reputation, so I applied and got accepted and I’m delighted I did,” she recalled.

She spoke about how her experiences in the classroom had prepared her for a life on the front line of British politics. “It taught me how to work hard, it taught me about the pressure of having to explain, present and get messages across,” she said.

The University of Worcester’s teacher training provision is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

“That’s a reflection of the phenomenal work that is happening here and most importantly, that’s impacting lots of people who will now be teaching our children,” Jacqui said.

The Early Career Teacher podcast from the University of Worcester typically features expert lecturers giving specific teaching advice to educators at the start of their careers.

Jacqui shared her own advice, and discussed the challenges new teachers face today and what support the government can give them.

She said: “Choose teaching! It’s a brilliant job and when you’ve chosen it, know that it is tough, but that you’ll be supported by your school.”

She added: “Know that you’re transforming the lives of the children you’re teaching.”

For Jacqui, visiting the University was also an opportunity to reflect on how much the institution has changed since she studied here ahead of her career as a teacher.

“Universities bring to the place where they are, economic growth, cultural impact, social significance, jobs, all sorts of things, and when I was at Worcester, we were on this campus here in St John’s, but that was the footprint,” she said.

“Now, when I come in on the train, I can see the footprint of the University physically throughout the city, and I can see the impact it’s having on the whole of the city, and that’s what we want from our universities.”

To listen to the full conversation, tune in to the Early Career Teacher Podcast from the University of Worcester.