Going back post 40

[Brookville]

I've read, rather worryingly, on a few Staffroom posts here that schools are not keen on retaining or even employing teachers above 40. I'm currently on a sort-of a childcare break–I took 4 years off, went back for a bit, stopped again and am now thinking of finding a new post for Autumn 2016. I'm MFL with lots of experience but am I too expensive at ups2? Will they only want NQTs or younger staff?

I think it depends entirely on where in the country you are. In the south east anyone with a pulse and a teaching qualification is fighting off job offers. Other parts of the country I'm not so sure about. (There are currently 26 job adverts on the Bucks site, several of them for multiple jobs and nearly all for a January start. A number of them are in good schools I would be happy to work in - schools which have never previously struggled to recruit.)

I'm in the south east and there are job adverts pouring out of local schools. The heads would still prefer to hire an nqt or unqualified teacher than anyone on ups though.

I'm in the South East too. Will take a look. Thanks for replying.

Where are most schools advertising now? I get the TES feed emailed within 25 miles and not much pops up.

Whereabouts are you? My area has a weekly publication with school vacancies.

Google your area LEA and teaching vacancies.

Rollon I'm in SW London close also to Surrey, Kingston, Middx.

www.schoolvacancies.co.uk - also known as the greensheets, but that's more greater Berkshire. www.buckscc.gov.uk has all the Bucks jobs, but probably a bit far for you. I know that RBWM has its vacancies on its own site, so worth starting off by checking LA websites in your area.

I agree with rollon that if schools have a choice they will often choose the cheaper candidate, but round here they just aren't getting that choice. I work in a very lovely school and we've just advertised a vacancy for Easter due to an internal promotion - one applicant... If it's a choice between UPS and paying an agency for the uncertainty of supply and the way things are there are no guarantees of a better/cheaper candidate next time, then I think schools are just having to bit the bullet.

I am 50 and newly on the market this year. I have been absolutely inundated with interview offers (>10, every day before the whole term). I've had two temporary jobs covering each half-term and am starting a permanent job in January for £46k as a teacher with no additional responsibility.

My subject is Science/Physics/Chemistry and I am based in Surrey/London fringe.

Get your CV out to agencies (Reed Education) is a good one as other agencies will pick you up from there). Also, formally sign up with an agency so that you can get a DBS check (with update service) and do an online Safeguarding course.

I think the TES has priced themselves out of the market. IME, the bulk of jobs are going through agencies. My TES alerts provide very few relevant jobs compared to agencies.

I am working in the Kingston area at the moment, and was introduced to the school by Reeson Education. They are based in Hammersmith but have quite a good hold over places like Kingston, New Malden, Teddington, Brentford, Richmond, Wimbledon, etc. - areas with outstanding schools.

I would not try to second guess what schools might want. Talk to the agencies and get some work experience, the see what happens after that.

Wow! Thanks all, very reassuring. Ill update my Reed profile and look at Reeson.

Any progress, Brookville?

Have you found where the local jobs are advertised now-is there much work being advertised?

You might find that you aren't paid on UPS2 though. Pay portability was scrapped by the government. From the ATL:

A: Following the recommendation of the School Teachers' Review Body the government has removed the portability of teachers' pay. This means that if you start working at a new school you cannot guarantee that you will be placed on the same point of the pay scale as at your previous school. You will need to negotiate a starting salary with your new school.

I went back aged 46 after time out to have a family. I did a return to teaching course, got a six month maternity cover. Later another school needed an experienced teacher very suddenly, so offered me a temporarily role which became perm after 12 months. Right place right time.

I do think teaching (at my school anyway) is a young man's game though, there's very few older teachers there, and only a small handful over the age of 45. there are lots of older LSAs and one or two SLT's of my age, but your av teacher's an NQT or under 28?

That's interesting phyllis as I had the same inkling myself when I went back briefly a year ago (to the school I had taught in before having my kids). Some of the middle leaders are 40+ but most that age are looks to get on SLT. The regular classroom teachers are mainly School Direct / Teach First or other cheap corner cutting routes into teaching.
I don't mind taking a bit of a pay cut. It's difficult to change career now I'm finding anyway, and to expect decent pay. Nothing else job wise is jumping out at me.
I've looked at eteach but no jobs in my area / field at the mo.
Think I'll just relax with wine & mince pie and leave it till 2016!

I think the demographic of the teaching body is linked to the effectiveness of the school. Good schools will have plenty of older teachers.

I think any school needs to have a range of teachers.

I haven't had any trouble finding jobs aged 50.

I think more and more schools have younger and younger teachers. So many are leaving the profession. I'm a similar age and wondering whether to go back or not!

I'm also MFL and on UPS2 and considering a return to teaching. I've been doing supply for a term but haven't had much MFL work, only general cover and Primary.
I'm waiting to see if the Govt offer a returning incentive. I think they might have to soon!

I'm waiting to see if the Govt offer a returning incentive. I think they might have to soon!

I don't think that'll ever happen-not unless you want to relocate to teach Chemistry in Blackpool.

You're not what they want-you're too expensive for the budgets. I reckon what'll happen soon is that they government will just turn every school into an academy and scrap the teaching qualification altogether!!

Well I live in the arse end of nowhere - think very bottom of any league table - and teach a shortage subject (plus other subjects) so you never know!
But yes I agree, any Tom Dick and Harry will be allowed to teach soon.

What's the betting the money they are promising people to teach in 'bottom of league table' schools will only materialise if you can prove you've moved into the area?!

I'm very confused by most of these replies.

Why?

I retrained from another career aged 52 and got a bursary as a shortage subject. They are more likely to do that than take longer-ago qualified teachers at a higher salary. The people who trained with me were also career changers, so there is a good supply of those who have experience outside teaching to bring in.
I work as a supply teacher, have a great work-life balance, get work every day I want and have negotiated a high daily rate because am asked back, so also have continuity in schools without any of the admin/meetings/planning/ marking.
I can recommend it...

Do you plan, have lesson observations, triple mark, analysis data, target set and have book scrutinies?

No, of course not. Would be madness - don't do primary for that reason although agencies will grab anyone with a pulse to do primary.
Have all the fun of teaching (and I do teach actively teach the kids) but none of the non-classroom stuff.
I say this to not to be smug, but to recommend it as an option to people who enjoy being in the classroom and would like to have a life outside teaching.