Return to teaching - am I employable?

[10yearslateron]

Name changed for this as it's pretty identifying!

Primary teacher, trained in Maths specialism KS2&3 but always worked in primary. Taught for 11 years as a class teacher, subject leader, as SEN support, doing booster groups - I think I have a good CV and track record. But it was all 10 years ago!

Since then I've had 3 kids and am educating them at home, semi-structured, but still pretty different from class teaching. I've continued working with kids throughout, though informally. I'm only loosely familiar with the 2014 curriculum.

In your experience, what would I have to do to be employable again? Could I walk into a supply agency tomorrow and get occasional work?

I know it would be hard, I'm out of practice, things have changed. And to be honest, I don't agree with the direction education seems to be going. But if I need work and teachers are supposedly in demand, is it an option?

Yes, ime definitely a shortage of maths specialists in particular, but supply agencies are constantly in need of teachers round here.

Thanks, only I'm not sure I would be seen as a specialist after so long out. And I don't know if that's as rational as it seems, or if it's more that my confidence is shot after 10 years of not being paid for a job well done!

I think the latter! Do some reading, sign up with a supply agency and get some experience maybe ( tho I’m a bit wary of supply work if it’s not LT!).

Go for it. I had 6 years off when my dc were little. It was a really tough return but it’s definitely doable and I love it now (only part time mind - couldn’t cope full time)

I was coming to make flippant comments about how you are a sentient being willing to stand at the front of a class so you’ll do...

But, you are a qualified teacher, with lots of experience and a specialism that people are crying out for. Please do go back if you are ready!