Returning to teaching after 15 years!!!! Help!

[zigzaggy]

I am considering returning to the primary classroom after 15 years away and don’t know where to start tbh.

I’m not sure what to include on my personal statement for example as usually I would imagine it’s all about your classroom/teaching style/strengths/recent experience. My teaching experience seems so long ago and I’m struggling to remember examples of certain things to talk about either in a statement or if called for interview!

I have done some other things in the time I have been out but a lot of it has focussed round one of my children who has special needs and has needed a lot of support along the way. I can talk about the courses I have done to extend my knowledge of dealing with my child’s issues and also the outside agencies I’ve worked with and meetings I’ve attended to support my child but I don’t know how much to say about that?

I'm not sure what I should read up on to get some sort of idea of the changes since I’ve left (IT will be a big one). I want to get my head back in KS1snd feel like I have something to offer the school.

hope that makes some sort of sense!

any pointers at all would be amazing!

Thank you

I would ask at a couple of local schools if you could go in and help on a regular basis for a term or so.

Then you notice 'what you don't know' if you like, and pick up on the subtle changes people won't even remember happening.

I wouldn't be surprised if you even got some supply work out of it.
Or even sign up to an agency (even as a TA) for a while ? That way you put your head into several schools, although the down side is you don't build the relationships with the staff and aren't able to have the conversations that will be helpful.

As with most professions, a lot has changed in the last 15 years (although I can remember 2007 like yesterday) - but the core basics remain the same.
I have known many teachers who have left the profession (similar to you) 5/10/15 years beforehand and then return. Some have slotted straight back in like they were never away, whereas some others have somewhat struggled.
In regards to yourself returning - the first responder has a valid point of contacting local schools for ‘experience’ - the fact you have QTS will enable them to use you as cover if required.

You could do supply but it depends on your area and how many other supply teachers there are. It also depends what financial position you are in and whether you need to go straight into paid employment. If that is the case, I’d sign up to TES jobs and look through the vacancies in your area and start applying. Most positions around this time of year are for an Easter start due to notice period, but you will probably have a school on there who is in urgent need of a teacher ASAP and that is beneficial to you as you are not currently tied down to a contract.

If you're interested in KS1 then phonics phonics phonics!!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-reading-framework-teaching-the-foundations-of-literacy

In your personal statement you can discuss how you've familiarised yourself with NC 2014, KCSIE 2022?, SEND code of practice 2014 and maths mastery.

Get yourself a Return to Teaching Advisor! Free govt service, super useful in my opinion!

I've been out of the classroom for 6 years. Applied for 2 jobs recently and was offered both! During interview it was clear neither head had read my personal statement.... Many schools are struggling to find experienced staff at the moment.

Get yourself up to speed with safeguarding, phonics and white rose maths (very popular in many schools).

Maybe sign up to a supply agency and do a few days to get a feel for whether you want to be in the classroom.

When I looked at that before I thought it was only for certain areas in teaching they are obviously super short in, mainly secondary. I would love someone who could point me in the right direction re reading, IT training etc.

Thank you! Yes KS1 and I love phonics!

Ah yes I’ve just seen it’s a secondary only service, that’s quite disappointing.
One thing I did (secondary but would imagine would be welcome in primary too) was contact local schools and ask to spend some time there-think basically volunteering listening to reading etc and then see what connections you make. I have a friend who also took a TA positions (although fully trained teacher) and has been doing that for a year so they’re gaining an insight into how education has changed etc.

Yes I’m going to do some voluntary work at my sons school after Christmas to get back into the classroom

Did you return @zigzaggy ? I'm considering a return myself so wondering how you are getting on.

Looking into going back to do supply teaching after 15 years. I've taught from nursery to A level. I spent my last 3 years teaching in a special needs school until becoming a single parent with no support. My youngest has just gone to uni. Although I've done support work for the last few years I really would like my last 15 years of work into what I was trained for but not sure how to start.