Returning to teaching

A BBC weather presenter’s perspective

A Tunbridge Wells woman is encouraging ex teachers to follow her lead and get back in the classroom.

Nina Ridge, a maths graduate, qualified as a teacher in the late 1990s with maths and PE qualifications and enjoyed two years working at the Weald of Kent Grammar School in Tonbridge.

However, when her husband was posted to Devon as part of his role in the army, Nina applied for and got a job at the Met Office. As part of this role, Nina trained as a weather presenter and spent 15 years working in London working across regional and national news channels, becoming a well known face on the BBC.

‘I really enjoyed my time at the Met Office and the BBC – it Is a great privilege helping people plan their days by telling them what the weather has in store,’ said Nina. ‘However, the early starts and long hours could be testing at times. I loved teaching and I always thought I would return to the classroom sooner or later.’

Nina began to explore the possibility of becoming a teacher again, and began volunteering in primary school maths classes, as well as the secondary school at which she previously taught.

As a result of this volunteering, Weald of Kent Grammar offered Nina a part time maths teaching job, and she left her role at the BBC in September 2015 to take it up.

‘I am so happy to be teaching again. It is fair to say classroom technology has advanced since I left in 2001, but I am pleased to say I have adapted quite well! There are many skills that I learned at the Met Office and the BBC that I have been able to transfer to the classroom.

‘One of the other reasons I returned to teaching was that the school have been very supportive with my timetable. It agreed I can finish early each day so I can collect my children who are still at primary school.

‘There is really nothing like teaching – that feeling of satisfaction you get when students enjoy being in your lesson, and enjoy discovering and learning is absolutely priceless. Having an impact on the next generation is hugely rewarding.’

Nina encourages any former teachers thinking about returning to find out more.

She said, ‘I would advise anyone thinking about returning to the classroom to visit the Get Into Teaching website. It is important to find that help because it gives you practical support as well as emotional support. Going and getting a practical feel for teaching again is important too, though – even if it is just visiting a local school for a day or two. Walking through the entrance of the school made me feel instantly at home again.’

Want to find out more?

The National College of Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) is currently running a pilot returners’ programme, involving around 60 schools across the country.

Former teachers who are interested in returning to the profession and teaching an EBacc subject (English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, languages, history and geography) are being offered free, tailored support, in a secondary school, to help them back into teaching and find a job.

Qualified teachers eligible for the programme are classed as those who have qualified teacher status (QTS) who are not currently holding permanent or fixed term posts in English schools or colleges (state funded or independent). This includes people who, after acquiring QTS, chose not to join the teaching profession but now wish to do so.

You can find out more about returning to teaching by going to www.education.gov.uk/returners

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