Returning to the classroom

[Zebra2024]

Evening everyone
Due to ill health I have been out of the classroom for ten years! I was SLT (boo hiss) before that.
Now that I’m feeling better, I’m wondering how I go about returning, whether it’s possible after so long etc.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I would honestly just start applying for anything you like the look of, depending on your subject you will be snapped up. SLT posts seem to attract a few candidates but teacher and middle management often have very few.
Ive know people start at a more junior level, even TA to get back into it, but whatever you feel comfortable with.
i took a break for poor health and did a few years part time without TLR responsibility and that’s really helped me get my confidence back.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I have definitely lost my confidence and really thought that I had been out of it for too long and wouldn’t actually have the ability now. I should have said I’m a primary teacher. Perhaps I need to volunteer in a school to see how much has changed?

Certainly I’m sure school would be happy for volunteer work, near me we are desperate for LSAs and we’ve had a few teachers come and do a year or so in that role. If you wanted to consider something new secondary schools sometimes employ primary trained teachers to work with some SEN groups who are still working at KS2 or sometimes below. I’m a secondary SEN teacher and work mostly with small groups on developing literacy skills, I’m about to step up to SENCO. Special schools are often a good place to work and worth considering, they’re always happy to arrange visits pre-interview and will take on mainstream teachers and offer training. Tutoring is also something to consider. Maths tutors round here have 12 month wait lists.

Start doing some supply. It gives you a toe in the water without committing and it's a great way to check out local schools and see if you could stand working in any of them

I had 7 years out and went back. Nothing really changes except the acronyms and buzz words - the trends might have come back round to exactly where they were when you left but given a new name and marketed as a whole new approach.

That’s a great idea about secondary schools and I have a lot of experience with SEN. I’ve always wanted to work with pupils who are not in mainstream. I’d love to tutor, but again been worried about rusty having been out of it for so long!

Very encouraging to hear from someone who has been ‘out of it’ for a long time and managed to return! You’re right about the trends coming back round. What did you do to make sure your subject knowledge was up to scratch? I’m particularly worried about some aspects of Maths and never really taught KS1 so phonics is very sketchy!

I know someone who was out of teaching for about 10 years. She returned initially as an LSA, and then did quite a lot of cover because the class teacher was ill (the school paid her teacher rates on days when she was covering the class). Then into a teacher post, and worked up to deputy head. So it's definitely possible!

So be picky and apply for jobs in the ks and year you want. It really is a 'buyers' market right now.

You'd be snapped up for supply if you want to just have a little look at how things have changed. I do think things are quite different to 10 years ago - foundation subjects are scrutinised on a crazy level now, there is less differentiation and more scaffolding up (which I'm not totally convinced by) and a much bigger reliance on schemes. Are you aware of the changes to phonics schemes recently? I'd say it really means it doesn't matter if you've never taught phonics as it's almost reading from a script. Some schools have completely gone over to a maths scheme (usually White Rose or Power Maths) and expect you to stick to the PPT for each lesson, while others are more relaxed about using your professional judgment. A lot of the nonsense around marking 10 years ago has just disappeared, thank goodness. In my school, children don't respond to marking anymore for example whereas I used to spend hours combing books for feedback they'd missed.

Oh, also social media is a much bigger issue in UKS2 and there are often problems around that which need to be dealt with.

Did you teach at all under the NC2014? Things like computing are quite challenging compared to the previous curriculum.

Wow that is really great to know. All is not lost!

Thank you so much for your insight. I think a few visits to local schools will be beneficial. Subject knowledge, not being as sharp as I was in Maths and not being across all the new ‘buzz’ words and schemes was my biggest concern. I’m not sure having a class full time is for me now, probably supply or as someone suggested working within special provision and doing some bits of private tutoring will suit me better. I wonder how I get one of those cushy advisor/ inspector jobs (I jest).

Thank you everyone- I really thought I was on the scrap heap of teachers before your replies.