A HEADTEACHER has called for former teachers to return to the profession in a bid to tackle Tendring’s teacher shortage.

Julia Hunt, the headteacher of Brightlingsea Infant School, said recruitment has become a major issue for schools across Tendring and Colchester and is a major barrier to raising standards.

In a bid to tackle the problem, the new Return to Teaching Programme has been launched to attract teachers back to the profession.

Mrs Hunt said: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to find quality teachers, in particular finding teachers to fill vacancies that arise in the summer term.

“Last year, for the first time, all Tendring Hundred SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) students had received job offers by Easter, leaving a shortage of suitable teachers for September.

“At the same time it is difficult to recruit experienced teachers to balance out teachers who may have less experience within the school team and also replace teachers who are retiring.”

Mrs Hunt said the Coast2Coast Teaching School Alliance has launched the new programme to work with Tendring Hundred Primary SCITT to create an innovative update training package aimed at attracting teachers back to the profession.

She added: “We know when teachers take time out from teaching their confidence can drop, they can feel that teaching has ‘moved on’ and they may feel de-skilled.

“They may be thinking of coming back to teaching, but then need some continued professional development and school experience to feel more confident.”

Teachers who are interested in returning to teaching should contact Mrs Hunt on 01206 302719 or email julia.hunt@ brightlingsea-inf.essex.sch.uk