The Adventures After Teaching Podcast

"I don't think I would have been out of teaching by now had I not joined.” After 20 years in the classroom - 13 in secondary and 7 in primary - Steph had reached a point where she was really ready for a change. She felt stuck, and not for the first time; she'd tried to leave eight years earlier and given up, resigning herself to staying put in the classroom. This time, with the right support around her, it was different. Now a Learning Designer in the civil service, Steph is five months in an...

“I do not feel that sheer tiredness that I did when I was finishing a school day.” Former Early Years Teacher Tina spent 13 years in the classroom, working as both an Early Years Lead and Forest School Lead, before making the decision to leave teaching. Now a Team Support Administrator at a large national energy company, she's enjoying hybrid working, better sleep, and a workplace culture that genuinely celebrates wellbeing. Tina's journey wasn't without its challenges - from the emotional up...

“It’s the best feeling when you’ve made that decision … it took a weight off my shoulders when I said ‘I’m gonna do this.’” Former primary school teacher Barbara spent 12 years in the classroom, mostly teaching years five and six alongside middle leadership roles. By her seventh year, some of the excitement that she once had for the classroom had waned, and trying to fix it by changing schools or year groups just wasn't cutting it. Facing burnout and declining health, she made the brave choic...

The right role at the right time for the right people. Two former primary teachers, Emma and Victoria, share their inspiring journey of leaving the classroom together - though they'd never met before! After teaching for 12 years each, they both secured roles as primary curriculum writers for Developing Experts. Now they're enjoying creative freedom, collaborative culture, and the chance to use their teaching expertise in exciting new ways - building curricula from scratch, integrating r...

"If all these people are able to get jobs, I'm able to get a job." Former teacher Rich had been in the profession for a long time when the stress and lack of sleep began taking a physical toll. Despite working at a school he loved, he knew he needed a break from teaching itself and, after personal life events put things into a new perspective, Rich knew it was time to make the career change he'd been contemplating. Now an Apprenticeship Coach, Rich is enjoying a transformed work-life balance ...

“I just knew that I had to make that change.” In a supportive school but with her own changing priorities, Primary and Early Years Teacher Georgia was tired of missing out on quality family time and feeling exhausted by the demands of teaching. Leaning into her subject specialism as R.E. Curriculum Lead, she’s found her “dream role” as a Regional Advisor for an education group, providing curriculum programmes and specialist support to schools. Now working remotely, Georgia enjoys increa...

“It’s about the right role at the right time.” After spending 14 years teaching mostly in Further Education, Head of Faculty Gareth left the classroom to pursue new opportunities. Whilst he found his time in education both valuable and enjoyable, particularly at the start of his teaching journey, he began to question the work-life model he was providing to other members of his team. Now a Senior Product Manager at a university, Gareth walks us through his top tips and offers a skills br...

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Former Primary Headteacher Adam, loved the job but wanted to move on before he reached the point of burnout. Securing an interesting ‘lifeboat job’, he quickly realised how valuable his skills could be to the world outside of the microcosm of teaching. After taking part in our free Summer Bootcamp event, Adam joined the Academy and started to dive into all the practicalities of job hunting as he looked to re-position his skills for a new direction. ...