Joe, an Assistant Headteacher at Didsbury High School

Teach First ambassador, Joe, took a surprising career move from policing into teaching, but continues to help young people at the heart of his community.

Before teaching, I was a police officer for 12 years with the Greater Manchester Police, working both in uniform and in the Crime Investigation Department. I spent several years investigating homicides and serious offences across Greater Manchester, reaching the rank of Detective Sergeant.

Investigating a new path

Although I'd thought about teaching earlier on in my career, I couldn't initially find a training route that suited me and the commitments I had at that time.

Almost a decade later, with itchy feet in the police, I knew I wanted to take the plunge.

It was then I discovered Teach First, which would allow me to move careers and continue to financially support my family.

From the beat to the whiteboard

I was really excited for a new challenge, to help people in a different way to how I had been, and to ensure the most vulnerable in our society have a fighting chance of a great future.

Now, almost a decade on, I'm Assistant Head at Disbury High School in Manchester and I can still see a lot of cross over from my policing days. Good communication and teamwork is vital within a school.

As an English teacher, it's really useful to give examples of how language or communication can benefit your life, and I'm trying to teach my students how language in all forms plays a key role in society.

Case closed

My time in the police force has given me a different perspective on teaching and I have no regrets in deciding to switch to teaching. I only wish I'd done it earlier.