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Back to school: former teachers ready for return after innovative UEL course

Thursday 7 December 2006

A group of former teachers are looking forward to a new lease of life in the classroom after becoming the first to graduate from the University of East London’s (UEL) innovative Return to Teaching programme.

Twenty-three people took part in the ten-week course, designed to provide qualified teachers who have been out of education for over a year with the necessary confidence and updated subject and system knowledge to make a successful return to the classroom.

As well as lectures and seminars at UEL’s School of Education in Stratford, the returning teachers spent every Wednesday on placements in schools of their choice. The students received childcare costs and financial support of £1500 each, provided by the Training and Development Agency for Schools. Sheila Morrissey, Co-ordinator of the Return to Teaching course, said: “This new programme is a great way for former teachers to get back into the swing of education, build their confidence and catch up on any changes that may have taken place since they left the profession.

“It’s been a brilliant ten weeks; there’s been a wide range of individuals on the course who have added a whole new dimension to our teacher training programme with their humour and experience. It’s great to know they’ll soon be getting back to where they belong – our schools!”

Zoe Burton (40), of Walthamstow, gave up teaching in 1997 after spending her first year as a Newly Qualified Teacher covering the maternity leave of a deputy head of department. Zoe went on to work in an investment bank, but grew increasingly attracted to the idea of a return to education.

Zoe said: “My first year as a teacher was a real baptism of fire and, by the end of it, I felt totally burnt out. Over the years, though, I came to recognise that I hadn’t been a failure; I’d just been very unlucky to start off in such a pressurised position.

“I’ve been thinking about returning for years, but, as a single mother, I couldn’t afford to go for long without a full-time income. This UEL course finally gave me a way back in; not only did it offer a reasonable bursary, it also allowed me a couple of free days each week to work part-time in an office.

“I’m now feeling really happy, confident and fired-up about returning to teaching. I know I can offer so much more than I could ten years ago, and that taking this course has been the best decision of my life.”

For further details, contact Sheila Morrissey on 020 8223 2269.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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