'Pay, for me, is not the be-all and end-all of life'

Simon Parker (right) decided to pursue a postgraduate certificate in education because of a desire to help others.

Currently a PGCE student in secondary art and design at Chester College, he had taught in the past and felt it was the right time to pursue teaching as a full-time career.

Mr Parker, 35, had spent 13 years as a professional artist and did not see any major drawbacks to a teaching career. "I was aware of the pay scales of teaching before I applied. It's not, for me, the be-all and end-all of life."

The potential stress of the job does not bother him either, even after seeing first-hand the amount of pressure placed on teachers. "I think it depends on you as an individual. If you believe in what you're doing, it shouldn't be as much of an issue."

The only part of his future job Mr Parker is not looking forward to is the paperwork. He explained that it can get in the way of a teacher's performance by reducing the time available for getting on with other duties.

It depends on what prospective students want to achieve with their lives, he said. Mr Parker saw himself as assuming a teaching role because of how that profession benefits society. He believes teachers play the vital role of securing young people's education and thus making society a much safer place. He expressed the desire to help students form social, political and economic values.