{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Alanah Reid","standfirst":"Teachers Heidi and Paul credit their experiences in Scouts, particularly as Young Leaders, with inspiring them to start their careers","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EFrom adapting to changing plans to organising activities, Scouts is all about helping young people learn new skills, build confi\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003Edence and achieve more than they thought possible.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EWe chatted to Heidi and Paul to find out how their experiences in Scouts prepared them to teach. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/ahsbb5hw/teacher-paul-1.jpg","width":4240,"height":2832,"altText":"Paul stands in a green wooded area wearing a navy and white necker","caption":"Paul says he loves watching Scouts learn and grow","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EFrom Young Leaders to teachers\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EBoth Heidi and Paul credit Scouts for preparing them to teach, particularly when they became Young Leaders.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u2018I volunteered to be a Young Leader as part of the Duke of Edinburgh\u2019s Award,\u2019 says Heidi. \u2018This gave me valuable experience of leading young people and teaching skills, so I felt like I\u2019d grasped the fundamental skills to help me achieve my teaching ambition.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EPaul knew he wanted to teach long before he entered the classroom. He recalls: \u2018When my Head of Year asked who wanted to be a teacher, everyone shouted, \u2018That\u2019s Paul!\u2019\u2019\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EAs a Young Leader in Scouts, Paul discovered just how much he enjoyed helping young people learn and grow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/vmvj2ehw/heidi3.jpg","width":1920,"height":1080,"altText":"Heidi stands in a campsite sporting a Scouts necker","caption":"Being a Young Leader gave Heidi the drive to learn new skills","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EA career full of rewards and challenges\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003ETeaching is such a fulfilling profession, but it comes with challenges. Heidi and Paul told us there\u2019s so much to learn and do, so it\u2019s important to manage your time and priorities. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u2018Teaching isn\u2019t really about a career, but a lifestyle choice,\u2019 Paul says. \u2018The workload and unique pressures of the job can be challenging.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EFor Paul, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing young people develop and thrive. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EHe says: \u2018We want young people to leave school equipped to live flourishing lives and contribute positively to society. Seeing their personal development is still the most rewarding aspect of the job.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u2018Making great relationships with the pupils and seeing them grow, be curious and learn new things\u2019 are just a few of the moments Heidi enjoys as a teacher. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u2018It\u2019s incredibly rewarding to be part of a child\u2019s learning journey and inspire them to improve their knowledge and skills,\u2019 she says.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003EScouts and teaching go hand in hand\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EWhen they\u2019re not teaching, Heidi and Paul help out at Scouts. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EHeidi\u2019s role involves organising and running large-scale events as a volunteer in the Milton Keynes District Events Team, while Paul is an occasional helper with the 19th Bolton (Bolton School) Scout Troop, supporting their annual summer camp.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u2018Volunteering with Scouts helped me develop communication skills that are vitally important as a teacher,\u2019 says Paul. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u2018Scouts also taught me how to be resilient and resourceful when things don\u0027t go to plan, and the ability to adapt plans to best suit the needs of the young people in the moment.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EHeidi believes her teaching skills help her plan activities for young people to earn their badges. She says: \u2018I have an excellent understanding of inclusion and strategies to support all children in achieving the best that they can do.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/0lhb1fh3/teacher-paul-2.jpg","width":4240,"height":2832,"altText":"Paul stands by a trio of white camping tents","caption":"Scouts helped Paul develop communication skills vital for teaching","link":null}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3 class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003ETeaching goes beyond the classroom\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EOutside of lessons, extra-curricular activities are a fantastic way for both teachers and students to explore their interests and learn new skills. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EHeidi says: \u2018Many teachers take up clubs around subjects that interest them.\u2019 \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EIn her school, they have lots of clubs, ranging from gardening to computing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003ELike Scouts, teaching offers plenty of opportunities to support young people beyond the classroom. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EPaul says: \u2018I\u0027ve been involved in the Christian Union, Model UN debating, GeogSoc (Geography Society), DofE and outdoor pursuits. I\u0027ve travelled to Devon, the Lake District, Iceland, Sicily, Berlin and even Singapore and Malaysia on a language trip.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EHeidi and Paul\u2019s advice to get into teaching\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"quoteText":"Keep learning. Education changes so rapidly, in both policy, research and in the cohorts of children that come through, so it\u2019s key that you keep learning and adapting. And enjoy it! Teaching is the most rewarding job. It\u2019s different every day and always comes with new challenges. ","attribution":"Heidi","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"quoteText":"There\u2019re lots of routes into teaching, so explore them all carefully and choose the best route for your circumstances. I\u2019d personally recommend the PGCE route if possible. And, as a teacher, you have to enjoy working with children and young people! Scouts gave me the opportunity to confirm this was the case.","attribution":"Paul","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null},{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"type":"Plain","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EIf you\u2019ve enjoyed leading activities, supporting younger people, being a Young Leader or helping others build confidence and new skills, you may already have some of the qualities that make a great teacher. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003EWe\u0027ve joined forces with Get Into Teaching to help inspire the next generation of teachers by equipping them with skills for life that are transferable to a dynamic career in teaching.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022MsoNormal\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan lang=\u0022EN\u0022\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/supporters/get-into-teaching/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFind out more about our partnership with Get Into Teaching\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#003982","title":"Thinking about starting a career in teaching?","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"05 October 2026","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Get Into Teaching","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/supporters/get-into-teaching/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Young Leaders","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/running-an-explorer-unit/explorer-scout-young-leaders-scheme/","newWindow":false}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":91355,"nodeName":"How Scouts and teaching go hand in hand","title":"How Scouts and teaching go hand in hand","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/qwzf4sta/presentation1.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dd54c1a3cc9d20","caption":"Presentation1","type":"jpg","size":210190,"width":1280,"height":720,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"How Scouts and teaching go hand in hand","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Heidi and Paul reflect on how their experiences in Scouts have shaped their careers as teachers.","browserTitle":"How Scouts and teaching go hand in hand","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC85MTM1NSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2026/october/how-scouts-and-teaching-go-hand-in-hand/"}