returning to teaching

[Tommy]

I was a secondary teacher for 10 years but stopped when Ds1 was born (17 years ago). I’ve been working in a support role in school for the last 8 years but am a bit bored.... Has anyone returned to teaching after a long gap? I went to visit a school today with a view to applying for a teaching post but just felt a bit 😕. Not sure what to do, career wise!

What did you teach? I doubt anything

Worthy. Clap, curriculum.

??

What a bizarre response, MrsCatE. As far as I’m aware you are not a teacher, and the OP seems to be asking a perfectly reasonable question.
I can’t help, OP, I’m primary and have never taken a break longer than 6 months, but there will be better-informed and more polite people along, I hope. I think it will depend on your subject area and how well you have kept up with changes in it.
Have you talked to teachers in your current school? Tried out being a cover supervisor?

Do supply teaching first, to get some recent experience.

MrsCatE, what a CatE response.

OP, I taught maths in secondary and further education before I took a career break of 4 years before returning to paid employment. Like you, I also went back in an educational establishment as support staff before returning to teaching.

Have you thought about teaching in FE? In my experience, they always seem short of teachers who are well suited or qualified to teach their subject.

I second the suggestion of doing supply first, at least to get some recent teaching experience. Also have you kept up to date with the current syllabus for your subject? It would help in interviews to show that you are aware about any changes to the syllabus after having a long time out of teaching.

I wish you well in your job search.

OP- I keep getting Facebook ads about a government scheme encouraging a return to teaching- might be worth giving it a google.

Here we go OP
getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/return-to-teaching?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzoCpob744QIVGNtRCh3-RwNhEAAYASAAEgJhqvD_BwE

I know some unis do offer a return to teaching course if that's any help?
I've had a bit of a career break and am currently doing supply to get my hand back in.

thank you all for the polite responses 😉
I will check out the return to work options.
I visited another school yesterday which is advertising for a post in my subject. It was nice enough and I think I could do their syllabus- it didn’t really excite me enough to leave my current convenient (if not very well paid) position.
Not sure about supply either.... I can’t give up my job in the hope that I might get some supply.
This is why I can’t decide what I should do! Thanks anyway - I will look into return to work courses

I have never not had work when I want it.... But I am a shortage subject so that helps. Generally round here anyway there is a dire shortage of decent supply.

I know someone who did similar. Will PM you.

I'm also looking to return, currently working supply.
I have been teaching ESOL overseas, but there is no call for it in our rural area, so looking at going back to secondary.

If you are in England, that link Blanca posted is great. They were extremely helpful to me until they realised I was in Wales (the Welsh equivalent was useless!)