Returning to Teaching - routes?

[Returning]

Hi. New to forums so be patient with me!

I left classroom teaching in 2001 to have a family. Almost as soon as I left the classroom I set up a private music teaching business to enable me the flexibility to be around for my children. Now my children are entering secondary school and I'd like to return to the classroom. My business has been successful, but to grow it more I'd need to teach until 9 pm at least two/three times a week as well as saturday morning and I'd rather not.

I was a successful classroom teacher, I became a HoD quite quickly and was always receiving positive feedback. I know a lot has changed since I left the profession, I was a governor until recently in a school that became a sponsored academy having been through special measures etc, so I have a reasonable idea of the pressures teachers face today.

I would love to do a Return to Teaching course but can't find any regionally (South West). I am signing on with supply agencies who are generally very positive, but I know from previous experience of supply agencies that what they say isn't always delivered.

What can I do to improve my chances of getting a job? I applied for a couple of local part-time jobs and got nowhere - unsurprising really based on my lack of current experience, but it just feels such a chicken and egg situation!

Any suggestions, experiences and advice gratefully received!

There seems to be quite a bit of supply work available through agencies, if I was mad enough to go back I'd do it that way.

Sorry- didn't read that bit in your message!

I was out of teaching for just 3 years (and in a shortage subject) and could not get supply as I did not have a reference within 2 years (despite being willing to travel into central London).

I was advised to do some voluntary work (was not an option for me, I instead applied for and got a job in the area I used to work in as they knew the type of schools i had done well in). may be an option for you.

Whereabout in the SW are you? PM if you like. I would suggest just getting into a school or two and doing some short-term voluntary work. I'm head of performing arts at my school and music comes under my dept so could help out if you're nearby.

Thanks for that. I live south of Bristol, towards the coast. I am looking to volunteer at a local school after half term, because I've had ages out really. The supply agency I've already registered with were ok about my gap as I've been teaching, just in a different way, and I was heavily involved in a local primary school as a 1 to 1 tutor and then a governor. Not sure how to PM, EvilTwins, but keen to explore any available option, and volunteering is possible in the shorter term, especially if it gets me back in the classroom!

There are instruction on PM Personal Message facility somewhere.

Make sure you tick the 'keep signed in' box, or else it can ask you to sign in AGAIN if it thinks you haven't!

Copy the name exactly (case sensitive), and to start click on the 'envelope' top right, then 'start new message' or words to that effect.

Have you said what age group you teach? If it's primary you will need to gen up on Phonics (to learn phonics, go to MN Book Reviews, 'Children's educational books and courses' section, and look at the Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary. Very useful, at under £10.)

I'm secondary trained and looking mainly at secondary teaching, although I would consider a primary music specialist post.

Funnily enough though, phonics is one thing I have learned a lot about! Mainly through my years as a governor - we had to be far more hands on than governors should normally be (with the blessing of the LA).

Thanks for all the help and ideas, and I've worked out how to PM now.