YOU’RE never too old to learn new tricks. Or to train to become a teacher for that matter as the Helena Romanes School is proving with its latest batch of trainees.

The Helena Romanes School, situated on Parsonage Downs, is running a year-long training programme for professional adults with skills that can be transferred into teaching.

At the end of the course, qualified teacher status is given to successful candidates and the best ones will be employed by the school.

Jane Beer is halfway through her training at HRS after acquiring experience at speaking foreign languages from her 23 year career in sales.

The 47-year-old is now training to become a language teacher and says: “I feel very strongly about being able to use languages in the workplace.

“There is a real reason to take foreign languages to further a student’s career prospects.”

The scheme is part of the Mid Essex ITT consortium which puts adults seeking a career change through a year-long training programme.

Jake Newman is training to become a maths teacher as part of the school’s teacher training programme.

The 30-year-old started training to be a teacher seven years ago but quit the course in the first term but now feels ready to take up the challenge.

“Last summer, I was training to be an actuary and earning lots of money. But, it was soul-destroying; I was staring at a computer screen and was thoroughly bored,” he says.

“My previous experience has made me a more rounded individual and I can speak to the students from experience.

“I feel more emotionally ready for the training and had not lost my love for education but it was not an option to become a student with the responsibilities of a wife and mortgage.

“This training through employment was the most financially sensible option for me.”

Nikki Graves, who co-ordinates training at the school, says: “We would encourage anyone thinking about a career in teaching to come and have a look at how our school works and talk to people like Jane and Jake about what’s involved in the training.”

If you are interested in changing careers and training to be a teacher, contact Nikki Graves at HRS on 01371 872560.

Applicants must have GCSE grade C or above in English and maths and a relevant degree.