Fewer plan summer break, says study

The number of public sector workers applying to re-train as teachers has more than tripled in the last two years, figures show.

Applications to the Transition to Teaching scheme have risen more than three times the 2009 figure from 60 to 193. The increase in former public sector workers is even more significant when compared 2008, which saw just eight people signed up.

The programme, run by the Training and Development Agency (TDA) for Schools, promotes teaching among high-performing public sector employees and now works with almost 300 public organisations, up from just 49 in 2008.

Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA for Schools, said: "The huge surge of interest in Transition to Teaching from staff in public sector organisations shows that, while teaching is certainly not the job for everyone, there is a large pool of experienced people who have the right motivation and qualifications for changing careers and entering the classroom.

"What is particularly exciting about more public sector workers moving into teaching is that they already tend to be passionate about making a difference and being inspirational at work - both of which are fundamental pre-requisites for being a good teacher."

The TDA said it was expecting a boost in the number of inquiries about entering teaching as new year is traditionally a time when people think about a career change.

In its last recruitment period, 40 per cent of all teaching inquiries were made in the first three months of the year, figures showed.
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