Schools sought in trial for ‘returner-teachers’ pilot
A pilot scheme aimed at persuading former teachers to return to the classroom is seeking up to 10 schools to take part in the trial.
The trial is being introduced in lead schools in the west Midlands and south east by the government, and will have a budget of at least £298,000. The programme has been set up to ‘test the best approach to supporting teachers who have taken time out of their careers’.
The funding will include money to help former teachers return to the classroom and will support continuing professional development through ‘a range of measures, including funding for national professional qualifications’.
Speaking of the the new pilot, Nick Gibb, Schools Minister, said: “Many of us will need to take time out from our careers at some point, and teaching is no different – but it can be hard to return to the classroom.
“We want to support teachers by giving them more options on how to return to the workplace. As well as helping to keep experienced and valued teachers working in our schools, this pilot will make sure teaching remains attractive to the next generation and regarded as a profession that is flexible to the demands of the modern world.”
The pilot will be launched later in 2018, once the lead schools have signed up. Returning teachers will then be recruited during the summer term.
No plans have been announced at present to extend the trial to the North East.