Returning to the teaching profession after a career break can be a daunting challenge. The pace of change in education remains fairly rapid and concerns about how you would compare with the competition, in terms of current knowledge and appropriateness for the job, can prevail.

A reduction in confidence seems to be a common experience amongst those that are contemplating a return to the profession, which is a great pity as the pool of out-of-service teachers is a resource that the Government and LAs are keen to tap.

If you are a potential returner to the profession, be sure to contact the Training and Development Agency’s (TDA’s) Returning to Teach programme.

You will receive a termly newsletter that will keep you up-to-date with all the latest developments in the world of education as well as details of returner courses.

These courses are run by colleges, higher education institutions and LAs and are an extremely cost-effective way of gaining and brushing up on vital skills such as behaviour management and ICT.

Contact the Returning to Teach programme on 0845 6000 993 or e-mail: info@return2teach.tda.gov.uk.

Sourced from The Newly Qualified Teacher's Handbook [External Link] (Elizabeth Holmes).