Popular questions about returning to teaching

I have been out of teaching for many years. Am I too old to return to the classroom?

No. There is no age limit for returning teachers, and many headteachers value the life experience that older members of staff bring.

Equalities legislation protects individuals against age discrimination in employment, therefore nobody can be turned down on the grounds of age alone.

What qualifications do I need to return to teaching?

In order to teach within a state-maintained school in England you must hold qualified teacher status (QTS) that is recognised in England.

Will there be any help for other teachers who are not maths, chemistry or physics trained?

Yes. Teachers who do not have post A-level science or maths qualifications but want to teach maths, physics or chemistry can apply for help to improve their subject knowledge.

Primary teachers and other secondary teachers will be able to access help online to update their knowledge. If you would like to receive updates on new support for returning teachers please register with the Return to Teaching (RTT) Programme.

Do I need to undertake training in order to return to teaching?

No. There is no statutory requirement to complete training before you return to teaching and thousands of teachers successfully return to the profession each year without undertaking any formal training.

What support is available to help me return to teaching and how can I access it?

The TDA website contains useful information about how you can plan your return to the teaching profession.

Return to Teaching courses previously provided by the TDA have now ceased, but from autumn 2011 the RTT Programme will be offering new support and guidance for returning teachers. The returning to teaching pages will be regularly updated with this information, so please keep checking or register with the RTT Programme to receive updates.

Why have Return to Teaching courses ceased?

Return to Teaching courses provided a general reintroduction to teaching for qualified teachers who had not taught in a maintained sector school for over 12 months. These courses have ceased as the TDA's current priority is to support the introduction of the English Baccalaureate by ensuring that secondary schools have enough specialist science teachers to meet their needs. Returners have an important part to play and many need specialist subject knowledge-based training to help them make a successful return to the classroom.

What support will be available to maths, chemistry and physics teachers and those who want to convert to these subjects?

The TDA will be introducing a new programme from autumn 2011. The programme will provide flexible and specialist training for maths, chemistry and physics trained returners and others who want to teach maths, chemistry or physics but who lack specialist, post A-level science or maths qualifications.

The details of this support and the eligibility criteria for participants will be announced soon. Please register with the RTT Programme for more information.