How to teach law A-level

For those who enjoy the academic aspect of law, a career in teaching the subject at further education (FE) can be a hugely rewarding one. FE colleges are the biggest employers in the education sector and provide training and education for both young people and adults.

The role predominantly focuses on planning and preparing lessons. An FE law teacher will be expected to work in line with the curriculum and will assess and grade the work of students.

An FE law teacher’s role also includes:

Monitoring the progress of students through coursework and examinations to keep them on track with their studies and aware of any areas where they must improve.
Ensuring that appropriate support is given to those students who need it.
Assigning work and homework and mark all work completed by students
Maintaining high levels of attendance, retention and achievement.
Assisting students on their journey from FE to higher education and onwards to a career.

The role will involve being suitably prepared for delivering lessons. It is within the FE law teacher’s remit to “know where the students need to be in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills by the end of the session and guide them there,” according to senior lecturer in Law, Rebecca Huxley-Binns. She adds that seminars “should be interactive and there should be a free and open discussion”.

Marking student’s assessments is a key part of the role. Huxley-Binns states: “Most assessments have a clear rubric, assessment criteria and some sort of marking scheme or marking guidance.”

This part of the FE law teacher’s is a key one for students given that it is “always worth giving useful, detailed and positive feedback to students on how to improve, even if you find it time-consuming”.

FE law teacher jobs are mainly secured by those with a degree although not having one is no barrier to taking the role. For those without a degree, relevant work experience will be enough.

Those candidates applying for FE law jobs will be required to complete some degree of initial teacher training. FE law teachers will be required to obtain a certificate in teaching the lifelong sector, a PGCE/Cert Ed in FE or a diploma in teaching in the lifelong sector within the first five years of taking the role.

Continuing professional development

All FE teachers are required to become members of the Institute for Learning. To do so, they must make a commitment to complying with continuing professional development (CPD) requirements and law teachers are no different. This commitment will enable FE law teachers to keep their skills sharp and up to date.

How much does an FE law teacher earn UK?

Check-a-salary puts the average law teacher salary at £39,232 in the UK. Some positions pay an hourly rate like the part-time law lecturer positions at Truro and Penwith College. This position pays between £23 and £35 per hour, depending on experience.

Find FE Law & Legal jobs here.