Most mothers would choose to return to a job in education following a career break says a new study by the Training and Development Agency.

Flexible working arrangements as well as good career development opportunities are the main reasons given in the You Gov survey which involved 2500 mothers of children under 16 years of age.

Not only are mums more likely to choose education, but they are also more fired up with over 60% looking for more challenges, and over half wanting to develop their careers.

Miranda Platt, a teacher who returned to work following a career break says: “Taking time out of the classroom made me realise how much I loved working in teaching. I missed my colleagues, missed the children and even missed the challenges!” she says. Platt was concerned how she would juggle family commitments, work and childcare but found a solution. “I’m working part-time and I am even on new courses to build up my experience and salary.

“Teaching is a valuable and rewarding profession offering a challenge and greater career development opportunities, but also more flexible hours to help juggle family life,” says a spokesman from the Training and Development Agency.

Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA, said: “Teaching is fast becoming a boomerang profession. People are voting with their feet to come back to it, after acquiring valuable experiences at home or in other workplaces. Those returning to teaching are discovering that today’s profession offers greater flexibility, better pay and more structured career development than even a few years ago.”

Find out more about government funded return to teaching courses
http://www.tda.gov.uk/teachers/returners.aspx