Returning to Teaching
- Are you a qualified teacher?
- Do you want to return to the classroom?
- Would you like to resume one of the most challenging and inspiring careers there is?
You may have left teaching to take a break from working, have a family or experience another career, many teachers do, and many return. If you are thinking of returning, there is plenty of help to guide you on your way and ease your passage back into teaching.
Consider the following steps:-
- Register with the Returning to Teach programme If you register with the Returning to Teach (formerly the Keeping in Touch programme) you will receive advice and information on changes in education and how you can manage your return to the classroom.
- Look on the Training and Development Agency (TDA) web site for more information about Returning to Teach www.tda.gov.uk.
Return to Teaching Courses
Complete a Return to Teaching Course. A course will bring you up to date with the latest developments in schools, support you with a school placement and meet your individual needs. You will also meet other returners.
Check on the TDA web site for a course near you. www.tda.gov.uk
Bracknell Forest currently have no courses planned for 2009.
Financial Assistance
Participants on TDA funded Return to Teaching courses could be eligible for a training bursary of up to £150 per week. There is also help available to fund childcare if you need it. You may receive up to £150 per week for every child up to the age of five years and £70 per week for every child aged between five and 14, for a maximum of 12 weeks. You will only be refunded for the actual costs incurred.
For more information on support with childcare call ChildcareLink on 0800 096 02 96 or visit their website at www.childcarelink.gov.uk.
Preparing Yourself
Remind yourself what teaching offers, arrange a local school visit to talk with the teachers. Schools are busy places but teachers will usually give you support and encouragement.
You can contact any school in Bracknell Forest and ask if you can come into school for a day's observation.
Useful Information Sites
Looking for a job
Teaching jobs are advertised on the Bracknell Forest web site, in the Bracknell News and the Times Educational Supplement (TES), useful links: -
- View the current school vacancies in Bracknell Forest
- The Times Educational Supplement www.tesjobs.co.uk
- The Bracknell News www.bracknelllocaljobs.co.uk
Some returners may prefer to return part-time or to job-share. If you are looking for a job share it may be worthwhile pairing up with another job-seeker to present yourselves as a complete professional package.
Bracknell Forest operates a job share and part-time register and may also be able to advise schools on flexible work patterns, please contact the Recruitment Strategy Team.
What have I got to offer?
The first thing to do is to update your CV reaffirming the expertise you had before taking the break i.e. your qualifications, abilities, talents and skills: Never underestimate the personal and professional development during your break from teaching.
- What can you do now that you could not do before?
- What new expertise have you gained?
There may be hidden skills you have acquired in the workplace if you have been outside of teaching or in the home bringing up a family. The workplace may have given you skills in managing people, organising projects and resources, and information technology.
Being at home with small children you will have learned to be flexible, adaptable, inventive, well organised, economical and good at balancing your timetable.
You may have recent school experience as a parent helper.
Make sure your C.V. reflects these additional skills and experience adequately
Bracknell Forest One Day Courses
Bracknell Forest Education Training department runs several courses suitable for teachers returning to teaching. Many of the courses are free to teachers seeking work in Bracknell Forest and are all run at the Education Centre. For further information please contact: -
Elaine Pope
Bracknell Forest Education Centre
Easthampstead Park
Peacock Lane
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 3DF
Tel No. 01189 770561
Email : elaine.pope@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
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