Department for Education and Havas London Inspire the Next Wave of Talent to the Teaching Profession

Department for Education and Havas London have launched a new campaign ‘Grow Like Only a Teacher Can’, designed to inspire and attract a new wave of talent to the teaching profession.

Aiming to increase recruitment for the teaching profession, 'Grow Like Only a Teacher Can’ shines a light on the numerous benefits that come with being a teacher, including those which are less known to the public, such as varied career paths and salary benefits.

At the campaign's core is a hero film, which features real-life maths teacher, Benjamin Goodwin. Directed by Bafta-nominated director Bassam Tariq and produced by Pulse Productions, the film traces Ben’s journey as a teacher from his first day, showing teaching as a diverse and fulfilling profession that offers endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. The film builds momentum throughout, and crescendos with the resounding message of the brand platform: 'Every Lesson Shapes a Life’.

Accompanying the hero film is a 40-second version and a series of cutdowns tailored for social media platforms. They sit alongside OOH and social assets, which were shot by renowned photographer and director Juanita Richard. Further emphasising the campaign sentiment, the OOH and social assets relay the support available from the ‘Get into Teaching service’ for prospective teaching candidates and address topics such as starting salaries for teachers “With a £30k minimum salary, it pays to do what you love.”

The campaign builds on Department for Education’s brand platform, ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’ which launched in 2018, followed by a second instalment in 2020. In 2022, Havas London was reappointed as creative and strategy lead for the DFE’s teacher recruitment business following a competitive pitch.

Andy Garnett and Dan Cole, executive creative directors, Havas London added, ‘’It was crucial to engage our audience in a way that would appeal to their career needs while staying true to this exciting profession. By casting real teachers and students, we ensured the authenticity of the role shined through. And by showcasing the many benefits of the job - from personal growth to changing lives, (both the students and their own) we aimed to inspire the next generation into the profession through an exciting new prism.”

Chloe Saklow, deputy director: Workforce Recruitment Campaigns said, ‘’We're thrilled to be evolving the ‘Every Lesson Shapes a Life’ campaign. Grow Like Only a Teacher Can aims to widen the appeal of the profession through showing our audience that, as well as being an exciting, fulfilling career that will enable them to make a meaningful difference, Teaching is rich in opportunities that will allow them to fulfil their potential.’’

Commenting on his involvement in the filming, Ben Goodwin, a maths teacher at Fortismere School in Muswell Hill, North London, said, “There is no other job out there quite like being a teacher, and I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this new campaign to show others just that. There’s no denying it’s hard work, but the rewards and opportunity to grow as a person certainly outweigh that. No two days are ever the same – the role stretches and challenges you, but in the best way. My students continue to surprise, impress and make me smile every day. As a teacher, you really get to know the young people and share their formative years with them, helping to mould them and watch them grow into young adults, which is an incredible experience. This isn’t something you can do with other jobs: seeing you’re making a difference to their lives, whilst shaping your own.”

The campaign was created by creatives at Havas London; Doug Redfern and Joe Roberts, and is live from the 15th of January across TV, VOD, Social, OOH and Cinema.