TEACHERS from across East Lancashire have welcomed the spotlight shone on the profession through Channel 4 show Educating Greater Manchester.

The BAFTA award winning documentary series which started with Educating Essex in 2011, returned to television screens last week to follow the trials and tribulations at Harrop Fold school in Salford.

Campaigners from Get Into Teaching hope the series will encourage people to consider teaching as a career.

Xavier Bowers, headteacher at Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington, said the school put themselves forward when they were considering an Educating Lancashire series.

He said: "I think there is lots of good that comes out of these programmes.

"Of course it depends on what message the editors and producers want to send.

"The footage from Thursday night clearly showed the challenges schools face as far as there was a girl that was pregnant and families that need support from the school. It highlighted the care, compassion and dedication of the staff.

"People may not be aware that there are often as many support staff working as teachers which has happened over the last 10 years due to cuts to government welfare.

"Whether it would encourage people to join the teaching profession I'm not too sure because it shows as well as the care and rewards, what a challenging job teaching is."

Lauren Fallows, an English teacher and lead practitioner of key stage three at Our Lady and St John Roman Catholic College in Blackburn said: "The ‘educating’ series really helps show the unique nature of the classroom and the very human side to being a teacher.

“For those thinking about a career in teaching, there are a huge amount of opportunities across lots of different subject areas which you can consider. "In terms of progression, you can find yourself moving up the ladder very quickly so long as you are prepared to work hard and are motivated to inspire young people to reach their potential."

Roger Pope, chair of the National College for Teaching and Leadership and a spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign, says:

“I expect the Educating series will once again encourage discussion and interest from the public around the series and profession. It might even encourage more graduates and career changers to seek out information about teaching, as we are always looking for committed individuals to join us in what can be a truly rewarding career."

For more information visit www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk or call 0800 389 2500.