A teacher from Twickenham is touting the benefits of the profession as she joins a national recruitment drive.

Dimitra Totikidou teaches maths at Orleans Park School in Twickenham, and linked up with the national Get into Teaching campaign ahead of a free Train To Teach virtual event on Saturday, March 27.

Totikidou spoke warmly of the various perks to her job and how rewarding working with and for children can be.

"I’m proud to be supporting the campaign and I would encourage anyone who is just starting out in the world of work, or looking to switch jobs, to consider a career in teaching," she said.

"Teaching is such a varied role, from the emotional rewards of making students feel like anything is possible to using your experience to bring lessons to life - no two days are the same.

"The best part of it for me is the feeling of making a change in young people’s lives and that as teachers we learn and develop new skills every day to accommodate our students' needs," the maths teacher added.

Aside from the benefits of knowing your job is worthwhile and ethical, teaching can also be really enjoyable too.

"Working with kids is fun, refreshing and life-changing," Totikidou said.

"I know the impact good teachers can have on a child, not just in terms of academic success but in teaching a child the importance of social skills, promoting resilience, self-worth and confidence."

The recruitment drive comes after a report by the Education Policy Institute published last year described "huge challenges" faced by the teacher labour market in the UK.

The report found that, while pupil numbers in secondary schools in 2019 were the same as in 2007, teacher numbers fell by 7 per cent over the time period.

In a bid to help recruit trainee teachers, the government offer a £24,000 tax-free bursary to train as a teacher in some selected subjects, and newly qualified teachers start on a minimum starting salary of £25,000 to £32,000, depending on location.

Roger Pope, spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign and a National Leader of Education, said the profession held so many positives for people considering it as an option.

"It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that every lesson is helping to shape the life of a young person.

"As well as the immense satisfaction of witnessing students learn and knowing you are influencing who or what they might become, teaching enables you to tap into your talents and passion for a particular subject," he said.

"It also offers some competitive financial rewards and long-term prospects.

"Anyone who feels they have the passion and potential to teach should join us for this virtual event," Pope added.

At the Train To Teach online event, people will get a flavour of teaching and also have the chance to speak with current teacher training advisors, teachers and local teacher training providers who can answer any questions.

The virtual event takes place on Saturday March 17, from 10am to 1pm, and participants need to register at least two days in advance to join. Click here for more details.