Primary Education

[Mummyrev]

How do I get back into teaching?

I left primary teaching 7 years ago to retrain as a priest. I have missed teaching but also enjoy my current job. I am fortunate that my current job has given me lots of contact with children: leading Sunday School, leading assemblies and RE lessons in schools, holiday clubs, after school clubs etc.

However, I'm struggling with the 6 days a week the church job requires and find it difficult to sustain with a young family. I'm wondering about pursuing a more 'portfolio' approach to my working life with some part time teaching and part time church work.

So my question is this: how do I get back into the classroom? Should I just apply for something and highlight my current relevant experience or get some voluntary school work, or arrange observations or even do a back to teaching course? I think I could get myself back up to date with reading etc but wonder if I will seem hopeless in terms of current practice. I have only had limited experience of interactive whiteboards for example.

So, all you experienced teachers out there, what do I do next?

I would do all three! Certainly register with some supply agencies locally, volunteer at a local school ( especially if there is a church school somewhere, we had a temporary teacher who was actually our Bishop's Visitor but a trained teacher too, who came to cover a long term vacancy!) and look into return to teaching courses if only to boost your confidence! But beware, in many areas, primary teaching vacancies are as rare as rocking horse droppings and any vacancy can ( certainly on my region) attract HUNDREDS of well qualified candidates!

Sorry, rubbish title. Can you tell it is the first thread I've started?
But have lurked for a year or so. That's how I know someone will have the answer.

Thanks spanieleyes. I don't know whether we are a high demand area? But we are rural south west. So plenty of church schools and probably loads of applicants. I think I just need to bite the bullet and get in to do some volunteering locally.

I know Dorset is very bad for vacancies, my friend gave up after trying for a year without even a sniff of an interview! I would imagine the other south wet counties are pretty similar, the only areas with a reasonable ratio of vacancies to candidates are the ones no-one wants to work in!