Returning to teaching after a break - anyone done it?

[StJamesInfirmary]

I was a teacher for over 10 years. Left 2 years ago and I've been working in the NHS since. Totally bored but it suits family life. I've been getting pangs of wanting to go back, just wondered if anyone would be able to share their experience of going back to teaching after a break?

Out of interest, what do you do in the NHS?

I left the classtoom in 2015 and attempted to return about 2 years ago. Massive mistake and I got out as quickly as I could. I knew within days that I'd done the wrong thing.

It wasn't the children. They've never been the issue. It was the working conditions and expectations. Absolutely ridiculous.

Eek. I'm looking through rose tinted glasses. I really miss planning and actually teaching. Don't miss the parents or the crazy working conditions.

I've been working in admin. The team are nice but miserable and complain a lot. I'm really bored. I miss doing something I care about, the variety, the sense of purpose and drive. The autonomy. God I miss so much about it I just know I can't make it work for family life. Sort of heartbreaking. I am contemplating doing supply.

What did/do you do outside of teaching?

I'm a private tutor and do content writing for various publishers.

I don't think you forget how to do a it! Go for it if you miss it!!

I had seven years out to raise a family. Went back and it was like I’d never been away! The actual teaching never really changes and you never really forget how to do it. All the other stuff though is endless. My school is very good at promoting work life balance and we do get release time to complete additional tasks. Depends on your school. Choose wisely!

I don't know what age you taught, but I found that over the last few years the amount of autonomy I have has been drastically reduced.

Supply? _ don’t do it…. (Had a bad few weeks)

If you do go into Supply only do 2 years max. And plan for an alternative career after that

I agree.

I do occasional supply at my old school. I don't mind it as I do literally just swan in and swan out. I don't care that it's all prescribed and it's much much better than agency supply as I know all the children and staff.

But ... Everything now is taught through a scheme. White Rose, Cornerstones etc. It's like teach by numbers really and some heads really don't like it if you go 'off script'...

I taught mornings, but was paid 0.5. No one realised until I’d done a term. They worked out how many hours extra I’d done (I was working 9-12.30) and I was given it back in time off plus my hours were changed to 9.30-12. I ended up leaving a few weeks early for my maternity leave thanks to the cock up! I was M6 and opted in to the teachers pension.

Oh no, what a cock up! Ha ha!

I'm just on a supply contract so get 3.5 hours pay for a morning. I'm getting pension contributions though which is brilliant.

You have to choose your school. I returned after a short time childminding. School is great - staff and SLT are nice and kids are generally well behaved. I recently went to an interview out of curiosity and the school was clearly toxic and the kids very badly behaved owing to poor leadership. I dodged a bullet!