So You Want to Get Out of Teaching?: A Practical Careers Guide to Moving On - or Finding Ways to Stay and Thrive - Softcover

Frank, K

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0993562892 ISBN 13: 9780993562891

Publisher: Vaux, 2026

Synopsis

Thinking about leaving teaching — but not sure how to do it, or whether you should?

Teaching is meant to be a meaningful, absorbing and hugely rewarding job… but many teachers are feeling exhausted, boxed in, and wondering whether the skills they've built in the classroom could ever translate into a different career.

If you’re feeling that perhaps you’ve had enough, or at a crossroads thinking about whether to stay, this practical and reflective guide is for you.

Written by a former teacher with more than twenty years’ experience in South East London schools, and now working for a research institute specialising in career transitions, this sensitive and informed book will help you look before you leap.

Its goal isn't to get every teacher out of teaching. It also offers thoughts on how you could make changes to enable you to stay, and why - in a rapidly-changing labour market with so many jobs at risk from automation - it might be good to try to do this.

But for those who - having worked through the guided reflections - do decide it is right to move on, here is a clear, evidence-informed route to career change.

This follows a structured 7-point process, with practical exercises covering:

• Understanding your motivations for wanting to move on
• How to prepare - emotionally, relationally and financially - if you do decide to leave
• What kind of work might suit you next
• How to audit and reframe your skills, experience and capabilities
• How to build a CV and covering letter - and develop a professional network beyond teaching
• How to approach job search, applications and interviews
• What to expect when you do leave the classroom behind.

Warm, honest and practical - and written from the heart, without AI - this is a guide with specific sections for early-career teachers, experienced classroom practitioners, middle leaders and senior leaders – all of whom may be asking the same difficult question:

Should I stay, or is it time to go?

Whether you remain in education, reshape your role, go freelance, or step into an entirely new sector, this unique book – written by someone who has not only made the journey beyond the classroom, but brings expert insights from careers transition and the current turbulent labour market - will help you make your decision with clarity and confidence.

Rapid technological change is reshaping the UK labour market.
CareerSwitch brings an evidence-based approach to moving on – and moving into better work.

Edition details

• Publisher: Vaux
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0993562892
• ISBN 13: 9780993562891
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 169