Teachers are lured into espionage

Teachers are lured into espionage

Jun 12, 2009

Teachers are more used to coaxing information out of five-year-olds than terror suspects, but it seems MI5 believe their skills are suitable for the world of espionage.

The security agency is hoping to attract school staff in its latest recruitment drive.

It has placed an advert in the teachers' trade newspaper, the Times Educational Supplement, saying that their people skills make them ideal for the job.

The advert, for operational intelligence officers, says: "Your experience of dealing with people means you can build trust and relationships with all sorts of individuals, which makes you the ideal candidate for developing a career securing the information we need to protect national security."

According to MI5's website, the agency aims to "frustrate terrorism", and prevent foreign espionage and weapons of mass destruction.

The post carries a salary of £35,425, plus benefits - broadly similar to that of a secondary school teacher who has been in the job for some time.

Teachers who successfully pass the recruitment process will find themselves taken out of the classroom and into "the heart of intelligence gathering".

According to the job description, successful candidates will be responsible for building contacts with people who can "provide information of relevance to national security". They will also have to write reports and give briefings.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "There are a wide range of career opportunities available with MI5.

"The organisation advertises in a range of media, including local, regional and national newspapers, trade publications and online media, in order to attract a diverse range of candidates who may have the right skills and experience."

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