positive return to teaching stories please

[cuggles]

I was a successful senior leader/teacher in a secondary school, having taught for 13 yrs and held positions of responsibility in both the curriculum and pastoral sides of the job but I am now a SAHM to my two children (9 months and 2). I intend to take 5 years or so out in total but am now panicking as I keep getting told I will be unemployable as I am so expensive and wont have taught for a number of years. Has anyone any experience of this - either negative or positive and any advice to give? I spoke to the TDA who said "my previous experience should not be a drawback" - not exactly encouraging!

You'll be fine, we have just had a member of staff in on a return to work course with us for a new term, who was petrified after 5 years out and after a couple of weeks of I day a week back in she was flying again. Great teaching doesn't change, really the new criteria aren't that massively different for t and l, so I can't see that they will change massively in the next 5 years. Experiences staff are pricey-because we are good, and good schools aren't put off by that as they value us.

An Ex AST ( as Gove as just got rid of us all, don't you just love him)

It depends what level you want to go back in at - SLT or classroom teaching only? I'd be delighted to have an experienced teacher apply to my faculty (I have FIVE NQTs in a team of 14 at present!) although finances do play a part in hiring decisions. You might be best off going for a HOD role so that the cost difference isn't so bad as they are getting the benefit of your leadership experience, but I'd understand if you don't want the additional workload that brings. I can't see it being a problem EVERYWHERE but it's true some schools are skint so will only hire NQTs for main scale jobs.

Fab - thankyou both for the responses - I had thought I would only be able to go for mainscale posts but I guess leadership skills don't disappear and as you say that would be less of a cost differential! Happy to work hard as once I go back in I want to be fully committed! Killergerbil - good to know your view on the criteria as it is always a worry to be "out of touch" but then in teaching everything seems to loop back again every few years! Good old Gove eh? - As an RE teacher (to add to my concerns!) - I just love him!

Also bear in mind where you could be on main scale, they are bumping me from AST to ups3

I'm an RE teacher (well, I didn't train as one but I am now!) and it is always IMPOSSIBLE to get decent RE teachers, especially HODs. You should have no problem getting a HOD job in RE, just look sane! Our head of RE always says RE teachers are either religious fanatics or total stoners and I have to say he is more or less right in my experience!

The only really successful RE leaders I've met are those that fall into neither category; I'm going to assume you're not either of these types either, ergo you will have no problem at all looking better than anyone else at interview!

Ha Ha! - I really hope not! - I also am one after not training as one - was actually a PE teacher and HOD "in my youth" (20s -only 37 now!). I am certainly not a religious fanatic or indeed a stoner and yes I think he is right too - I find they are often old maiden ladies too with elasticated skirts pulled up under their matronly bosums!!! (please dont say this is you, but you dont seem so!) so as long as I can pull off a normal look I should be ok. Certainly RE depts. can often be spotted from afar! Not sure I am sane these days but that is being a SAHM to two little ones, I am sure my sanity will return with the advent of pre-school! Thanks for the vote of confidence! Fingers crossed as I love teaching and RE in particular!