One of the recent topics on the TES website forum was whether there was really a shortage of teachers. I’m sure most readers won’t have come across it, but I think it’s important that more people are aware of the kind of candidates that many schools are rejecting.
I qualified as a maths teacher in 1992 but due to financial constraints had to return to the IT industry, in which I have 20 years’ solid technical experience. I also have a MSc in computer science, and I concentrated on theoretical physics and chemistry in my BSc.
Having finally become fed up travelling into central London, I decided to look for a teaching position in either maths or information and communications technology, or a combination of both.
As these are the greatest subject shortage areas you would think that schools would be fighting for me, but the summer holidays are now upon us and I’ve still got no job to go to.
Many schools will start next September short of maths and ICT teachers. If the Department for Education and Skills says I’m qualified to teach, what right do some headteachers have to deprive their pupils of people like me?
Although I’ve obtained my licence to teach in New Zealand, distance from family made me think about giving this country another chance. However, the schools over here don’t seem interested so I probably will leave and, come September, the UK will have one less badly-needed teacher.
David Getling
10 Perry Mead
Enfield
Middlesex
