Trying to get back into teaching

[Jabbie2]

Hi, I hope I am in the right place here.

O.k, so , bit of back story.I'm a qualified teacher, Early Years mainly but happy(ish) to teach up to Yr 2.Got my QTS in 1996, worked for just over 2 yrs as a nursery teacher before leaving to start a family.Have 2 kids 12, and 9.When eldest was younger I did quite a bit of daily supply work.I had friends and family who were willing and able to have her.When my son was younger I was not able to work as much as he had attachment issues and it was very stressful leaving him.There were concerns expressed over his behaviour (query ADHD/ADD) and we had a full paediatric screening.He is doing well now but still doesn't like change too much.I also spent a lot of time between 1999-2006 caring for my late father and Mother-in -Law.Even after her death in 2006 I didn't really push to work.I worked a little in 2007 and that was it.

Roll forward to mid 2010.I am trying to re-register with the teaching agency I was with before.They tell me that because I have not been teaching for a while and cannot show evidence of my ability to teach with references that I should do a Return To Teaching course.I register with the TDA and am fortunate to find a university doing the course, I enroll , get accepted and I did the course earlier this year.The course finished in April and off of the back of that I was able to get a nice little job covering PPA (reception) in a local school 2 days a week.I was very happy and grateful to be earning again after such a long time.The job only lasted 10 wks as the person I had been covering for was coming back off of maternity.I had a good reference from that.

I start to register with agencies from August onwards.I am now with 5 teaching agencies and I have not had 1 days work from any of them!!! This has really surprised me and done nothing for my confidence, infact I am crying almost daily and feel really low.I know I shouldn't be taking it so personally that there are probably a lot more teachers out there now looking for too few jobs but to not even get 1 days work since Sept? I know Sept is historically a quiet month and I was expecting Oct to be a bit quiet up until the holidays but with xmas only around the corner and literally having nothing to get the kids any presents with I'm getting a bit desperate.Am I missing a trick/some tricks?

I am phoning the agencies and letting them know I am available.Originally I only wanted to do daily supply, nothing longer term but now I am letting them put my C.V forward to schools.I never hear anything though.I won't do juniors as I don't have the experience.I am not in the position really to even do longer teaching gigs as I don't have the experience but I would try, I would try really hard if I were given the chance.I have my C.V on C.V library and other sites and I get enough people phoning me wanting me to register with them but after making all of these promises none of them deliver (anything)I am also physically approaching schools and leaving my C.V and a covering letter with them in the hope that something might happen from that.I just keep thinking of the fairy jobsmother and thinking what would she suggest? I am married, am not on the breadline but money is tight.I want to work, I would like some money for myself.

Doing the Return to Teaching course was a huge thing for me it was really scary but really worthwhile I wanted to keep that momentum going but the longer I am out of the classroom I can feel my confidence slipping and I know that that isn't a good look.

Sorry this is so long but does anyone have any pointers? Has anyone been in a similiar position trying to get back into work after a long break?

I'm in a similar situation about trying to return although I have been unable to access a return to teaching course yet. (would be interested to know where you did yours and what you thought of it)

I know ATM there is very little supply available in schools- they are trying to cut costs generally so there is less training etc for teachers to be away anyway and very often schools are trying to use staff already there. I think it's a good idea to approach the schools as an individual, if you can get known and wanted by a few then hopefully they will use you as the first port of call. Depends on how you feel about this and whether or not you're able to, but maybe volunteering in a school will help? Either offering help throughout the term or maybe a free supply day. You'll also keep up to date with teaching and maybe secure a reference from a school in the area you're looking at. Are you looking for more permanent work at all?

I am volunteering at teh moment and it has beena big help for my confidence. I can't really do supply ATM so I'm looking more for more regular work, and there's stacks of competition. However, there has been a baby boom recently, and they should be pushing through the system in a few years, and with you being EY focused you may find something earlier rather than later, (I'm junior- boo!).

If you haven't already discovered, take a look at the TES forums, lots more advice and people in the same boat. May not help immediately, but you are not alone.

Hi. Don't blame yourself; there really is a huge lack of demand for supply teachers at the moment. Schools are trying to save money/maintain continuity for the children by using HLTAs to cover absence. I went back to supply teaching last Septmber after a 7 year career break and was lucky enough to get some occasional work. However, this academic year I've only been in for 2 days. As the OP suggested, I volunteer in the hope that I might be in the right place at the right time. Good luck in your search for work.

Thank you ladies that does make me feel better.I know I am being a bit super sensitive and I know I am not alone as I am in touch still with a few of the people I did my RTT course with and I know they are struggling also.

Oldteacher, I fear you may have missed the boat R.E the course I have just done, but I will be happy if I am wrong for your sake.I did mine at the London Metropolitan, we were the last cohort (Jan-April) I was really lucky to get on it.I know they had no future funding and our lead tutor lost his job.

I have been thinking of doing volunteering.I did it before in my son's school in the lead up to starting my course.It was about this time last year.I am trying to keep abreast of current educational trends/practices but nothing is as good as hands on experience.I visited a school on Friday, I liked it, I was extremely nervous even though I knew it was an informal chat/look around.I am aware that that may not come across as that good.It was to cover maternity in a reception class for 2 terms.A big job for me , 5 days a week but one I was gearing myself up for.The head said she would let the agency know, I have not heard anything and they are interviewing this Thursday.I have phoned the agency twice now R.E this and they have not got back to me.I must admit I feel shabbily treated some support and feedback would be nice.

I am trying to find the agencies that deal with the boroughs I want to work in, I am lucky there are 4 quite big boroughs, loads of schools.The borough I live in is experiencing an explosion in children in the EYFS phase but still no work.I am wondering if it is my C.V. What do you say if they ask you what have you been doing since July? Obviously I am looking for work.I am honest.

O'h and how do you think it would look if I were to take nursery nursing and T.A jobs as has been suggested? I was an N.N.E.B for 12 yrs prior to doing my training .When it was suggested I was like, I don't think that would look too good on my C.V and obviously it's less money but having read a few threads on here I know that teachers are doing T.A jobs.I would just like to work , do an honest days work for some money but obviously I would have less at the end after paying the childminder.I also think I couldn't work in a school as a teacher I worked in as a nursery nurse or T.A(could I? )

I thought that might be the case about the RTT courses. I did look at the beginning of the year but discovered the nearest one was over 35 miles away- I just felt that I was better off managing my own RTT path. There was some information and tips on the site about doing so, but may be tricky to find as I guess the site has been archived. I have been volunteering since April, so that gets me over the gap of the holidays- maybe if that is something you could do then get started so it can go on the CV. I did get an interview after only volunteering for a few weeks, and although I was unsuccessful the panel said that that part had impressed them.

I used to teach in London, so in some ways you are lucky if you have a bigger choice for possible jobs, I am now in an area where I have to discard 1/2 of what's on the county website as it wouldn't logistically work.

Have you been able to get your CV/supporting statement checked?

Yes, the tutor on my course said it was fine.I thought it was too personal detailing my father and Mother-in-Laws illnesses/disabilities but he said it explained why I had not been teaching or actively looking for work.He also made me include all the volunteering I had done over the years as a parent helper, my involvement in the P.A and my time as a parent governor which I hadn't really thought to include.The head I most recently worked for also saw it and said it was fine, succint, not too waffly.

I didn't get through to the interview stage for a school I visited on Friday.Feel pretty gutted but the feedback I received was valid.Just need to use that to move on. It's really hard though, I feel the agency are not listening to what I am saying, they are just trying to thrust unsuitable jobs at me.One this morning wanted to line me up with an ongoing job in Greenwich that is nowhere near me, it is laughably difficult for me to get too

That's good to know your application is sound. I have also included the voluntary work and know there are many experiences and skills which will carry through to a teaching job.

Sorry you didn't get an interview, don't be too hard on yourself with regards to the feedback. One school I interviews for said I was being too specialist with regards to my future career, so I toned it down for another interview and they then said it wasn't enough! Have any of the other agencies got anything more suitable?

No, sadly, but I phoned one this morning where the lady is lovely, fantastic interpersonal skills, seemed really caring and told her of my predicament and she was really helpful.Advised me to carry on looking at TES and the Guardian for jobs and to look on the borough council websites and try to apply for jobs direct which is sound advice I know.I still want to do supply but I guess I may need to rethink things.

Have you had a look at eteach? They tend to have more jobs than the TES website. I'm not sure whether it would be worthwhile looking at teaching assistant jobs as another option? Hope you find something soon.

I was also going to say eteach. I found my first long-term job through them and there have been lots of good jobs on there.

I am in a different position from you, Jabbie2 as I left my permanent teaching job (during my 2nd maternity leave) to relocate and as I had done supply when I first qualified and had found work mostly every day, thought I would do it again but just 2 days per week. Last academic year was a bit disappointing, but I did get some 1-1 tutoring with Y6 during spring term. Since September though I have had no work whatsoever. I had one day offered on Monday, but this was a day that I didn't work (no childcare!) and they phoned me at 8:25am so no notice ! My younger child is now nearly 2, and my CV is looking a bit patchy!

My advice to you would be to avoid day supply if you can as it does nothing for your self-esteem, but also because there doesn't seem to be much of it. Look at eteach and local authority websites/job pages (there will be a vacancies list somewhere on your website for the city council) and apply for jobs. even if it is short term maternity cover, at least you should be able to use them as a reference.

Good luck!

Thank you, it's good to hear how others are coping.I am just a bit phased I guess at how different the climate seems to be from when I was turning down work in 2005/6.I know a lot has happened since then .I will give eteach a look.I agree about the daily supply, it does seem soul destroying.The fella at the agency that wanted to send me to Greenwich(have spoken to hubby who commutes into London every day on a motorbike and has said not a cat in hell's chance :>) of me doing it) and he is now saying that my C.V was not ummm very good and he sent me a C.V template which if I am brutally honest was ummm . . .crap! I will send him my C.V tailored to his template to shut him up but I won't be going to Greenwich for anyone and I know he won't like that! He was quite rude to me today as in , can you really afford to pick and choose which I found quite alarming.

Why use an agency?
I have stopped now but I did supply, without an agency. I went directly to schools and left my CV, sometimes I spoke to the Head, sometimes I was asked to see the Head at a later date, some thanked me, took it and I never heard from them again.
I got enough work for me- and the schools that I used never used an agency, unless they were desperate-they rang around everyone they knew first or often the Head taught.
From the schools I got some job shares or some PPA work.
There were agencies-I just never used them.

There is of course far less supply around-no money.

This is the way I am indeed beginning to think.When I did my PPA cover at a school in my borough I was employed by the council and was very happy with how much my daily rate worked out at.This is what I am hoping to possibly get as a result of approaching schools direct.I have almost contacted all of the schools in my borough(there are a lot!) and I am now looking at the next borough.It's a shame I have no contacts in any schools, I don't really know anyone, otherwise I would be trying to get in that way too.

I used to think that agencies were the way to go but not anymore, especially after speaking to some of these bumfluff on chin individuals that I have been just recently that really do not appear to have a clue .

I just took a CV to all the schools that I was prepared to travel to-all the other supply teachers that worked in the same schools had done the same.
I have now stopped but unfortunately there is less, they don't do as many courses. After Christmas gets more illness.

I did a Return to Teaching course after my break, I did it in conjunction with my DSs school, they let me practise. I then started with supply with them. Have you kept in touch with other people on it to see what success they have had?

exoticfruits, yes I am trying to keep in touch.There were 18 of us originally but only 3 have replied to the mails I have sent out.One is covering a maternity post, part-time which is due to finish soon, one is trying to scratch by on what she can get but is finding it increasingly difficult.She's an MFL teacher and has been doing top juniors and anything she can.The other , is in a similiar boat to me but has had a couple of days work.He is looking for other jobs now like being a librarian etc.

I know that at my son's school they have employed staff to cover PPA but they still use agency, but have the same people coming in IYSWIM.

The school I did the PPA cover at was the one I did my 3 week teaching placement at, she has been lovely and would have me back I know but they must be a healthy lot :>).I just want a couple of regular schools that's all.

I would recommend taking your CV in person and trying to talk to the Head or deputy. You have nothing to lose and if you only want two schools you might get it if you target 12.
Unfortunately it is a sign of the economic situation and there isn't so much supply work around. They may even be getting away with TA cover.

That is what I know at least 2 schools are doing.

I'm trying to stay upbeat but it is depressing.

Each day is a new day full of opportunity I tell myself :>).

Good luck-wish I could say more.

Thank you, you have helped, everyone has and the support is valued.My husband doesn't really understand he has always worked, he is fortunate.I know I was fortunate not to have to work.I can honestly say I didn't miss it, I enjoyed being at home but now I need to work.He is very confident in what he does and doesn't get why I am feeling so unconfident.He thinks I am being too hard on myself, he thinks I need to relax.He could talk his way into anything whereas I worry, worry some more and then worry a bit more for good measure :>)The education climate really is a particular thing though I find but I guess perhaps it isn't so different as in most jobs you need to deliver.I just don't have much of a track record of proven success and schools are very results driven now aren't they.

I really empathise with this. I was lucky to find a job at my son's nursery which really fitted with my children's needs.

I am now experiencing it from the other side of the fence, as I would love to find an early years reception teacher to work part-time at my nursery school. The recruiters don't seem to have anyone like that on their books and I would love to give a fellow mom a chance to get back into teaching.