A Dartford teacher says there is no feeling quite like helping a pupil achieve a "breakthrough moment".

Ben Breen, who teaches science and mathematics at Dartford Grammar School, was speaking as part of a national campaign to encourage others to consider a career in teaching.

The Get Into Teaching campaign from the Department for Education seeks to inspire and support talented people to train as educators.

It comes as new research reveals that following the pandemic almost nine in 10 (88%) current university students and recent graduates surveyed in the South East want personal growth opportunities as much as career progression.

Among those young teachers to have found a career in the classroom to be immensely rewarding is physics and mathematics teacher, Mr Breen.

In his second year of teaching, the graduate took on the role of head of physics, aged just 22.

Three years later he became assistant head of mathematics.

The step up posed its own set of unique challenges but Mr Breen relished the opportunity.

Now aged 28, he said: "Managing colleagues that were older and more experienced than me was difficult to begin with, but I can say now, after having stayed at the same school for six years and developed my reputation, that it’s not so much of a challenge anymore.

"I found the best approach was to acknowledge other people’s experience and seek their advice, while still driving forward with a clear vision. "

One of the best things about teaching is that pupils often ask questions he doesn't know the answer to, he adds.

"I find their perspectives so interesting and challenging," Mr Breen said.

"I like to bring the research I did during my degree into the classroom, and when students ask me why I decided to teach rather than pursue research I tell them that teaching is so much more interesting and fun!"

He says there is a real "excitement and energy" in the corridors which makes it a great place to work.

"My students are enthusiastic and they push me to understand more about physics and maths too," he said.

"It also helps that my colleagues are really friendly and supportive. I know that everyone is pulling in the same direction and we have a good joke in the office."

Mr Breen says one of his most rewarding moments of the year came when a student chose to confide in him they were struggling with their home schooling.

"It meant a lot to me that they trusted me with that information, and I was able to help them with strategies to manage their situation," he explained.

It's such "breakthrough moments" and opportunities for personal growth that he sees as being just as valuable as good career prospects.

"Knowing that you can have such a positive impact on people’s lives makes teaching a very special job role"

He's not alone according to research conducted by Censuswide, on behalf of the Get Into Teaching campaign, which found two fifths (40%) of those students and recent graduates surveyed said a collection of smaller wins can be more meaningful than a big success.

And 74% of students and recent graduates credited their teachers for equipping them to achieve breakthrough moments in their life.

Mr Breen said: “Breakthrough moments, however small or large, are a part of school life for both teachers and students.

"Knowing that you can have such a positive impact on people’s lives that extends well beyond the classroom makes teaching a very special job role.

"For me there is no feeling like it when a student grasps a difficult concept and is able to explain a little more about how the universe works.”

For more information about Get Into Teaching click here.

News from our universities, local primary and secondary schools including Ofsted inspections and league tables can be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford