Picking the right teaching job in London may be a tricky task with so many schools to choose from and a wealth of available information to wade through. However, teaching candidates could follow the same process that parents are being advised to take.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Mumsnet.com founder and chief executive Justine Roberts said: "It's worth being open-minded and doing your own research. Things like Ofsted results are useful for rooting out really dodgy places, but be analytical about Ofsted reports you read - they may not necessarily tell the whole story."

That is probably similar to the advice you'd get if you spoke to some of the people already teaching in the capital's 1,787 primaries and 438 secondaries.

First-hand evidence is just as important as the numerous statistical reports you can read online. Some educational institutes may be blessed with good reputations, but this means the teaching could be in danger of becoming complacent.

Conversely, a school that may have been issued with warnings from Ofsted in the past might now be in the midst of an exciting revolution and be a great place to learn to teach, with new staff making dramatic progress in a short space of time.

When it comes to picking a good school, education specialists seem to be in agreement that an inspirational head teacher is key for teachers, parents and pupils alike.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has said in the past: "Without good leadership, nothing much happens. Schools lack focus and teachers - no matter how good - fail to make the necessary impact."

Even politicians stress the importance of the head, with former schools minister Andrew Adonis stating that within five minutes of being around a head teacher, people will have a good sense of whether or not the entire school is well-led and ambitious or the opposite.