Return to teaching

A teacher talking to a pupil at a desk.

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: 

Teaching is a diverse and inclusive profession with many networks that can help you in your teaching career, including WomenEd, BAMEed, LGBTed and DisabilityEd.

You can also attend an online return to teaching event to get support with your return to the classroom.

Get a return to teaching adviser 

If you have qualified teacher status (QTS), 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.

Read a transcript of the video

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:

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: 

Other things to consider 

Getting back into teaching provides you with a chance to consider other things like: 

You may find it useful to know how to: 

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.