Return to teaching
If you’re thinking about returning to teaching, or if you’re qualified to teach but have never taught in a state school in England, support is available.
If you trained to teach in the UK and are a UK citizen currently working abroad, find out about returning to England to teach.
Get back into teaching
Returning to teaching might be easier than you think.
Time away and different life experiences can help give you a fresh perspective on being a teacher.
Schools are interested in recruiting former teachers like you so you can continue your teaching career with them.
A return to teaching provides you with an opportunity to take greater control of your career to shape a role that suits your skills, ambition and situation.
Flexible working options can also help you start back in a way that works for you.
Advice and support for returning teachers
The Department for Education (DfE) has been taking action to help schools support teachers with:
- reducing workloads
- improving mental health and wellbeing
- enabling flexible working opportunities
- putting in place behaviour hubs
Teaching is a diverse and inclusive profession with many networks that can help you in your teaching career, including WomenEd, BAMEed, LGBTed and DisabilityEd.
Get a return to teaching adviser
If you have qualified teacher status (QTS) and want to return to teach at a secondary school in England, you could be eligible for a return to teaching adviser.
Advisers can give you free one-to-one support with:
- the applications process, such as writing personal statements and preparing for interviews
- accessing courses to enhance your subject knowledge or teaching practice, such as national professional qualifications (NPQs)
- finding teaching vacancies
You can chat by phone, text or email, as little or as often as you need.
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If you qualified as a teacher outside the UK, you must have qualified teacher status (QTS) to get an adviser and will be asked to provide your Teacher Reference Number.
Call us on 0800 389 2500 to check if you’re eligible for an adviser.
Find your perfect teaching job
Every school has its own culture and values so it’s useful to consider what’s important to you when searching for a teaching job.
You can find out more about how to find a teaching role at the right school.
Get help applying for a teaching job
If you’ve found a teaching job which looks right for you, help make it yours with top tips from experienced teachers.
Find out how to:
- write a teacher personal statement
- write a great teaching job application in 5 steps
- approach a teaching job interview
- prepare for a teaching interview lesson
When you’re ready, you can search for a job on Teaching Vacancies.
Refresh your knowledge after a break from teaching
There are plenty of resources available to help you understand what might have changed since the last time you were in a classroom.
You can find guidance and information about:
- early career teacher resources
- changes to the national curriculum and qualifications
- current behaviour management guidelines
- improvements to national professional qualifications (NPQs) and whether you may be eligible for a fully funded scholarship
Other things to consider
Getting back into teaching provides you with a chance to consider other things like:
- claiming a retention payment (if you’re eligible)
- joining the Chartered College of Teaching, the professional body for teachers
- exploring opportunities for your professional development
You may find it useful to know how to:
- find your teacher reference number
- check salaries and other benefits
- ensure your pension is up to date
Or if you’re looking for an alternative to taking on a teaching role, the National Tutoring Programme could be it.
The programme enables you to tutor or mentor children and help provide support to disadvantaged pupils.