A former assistant headteacher has launched a new service aimed at helping teachers who want to leave the profession to use their transferable skills.
Claire Rushton-Plant set up The Relaxed Mind after hearing from teachers across the UK and abroad who are burnt out and unsure how to make a career change.
Cheadle-based Claire, who left teaching in 2022 after more than two decades in education, said a combination of increased responsibilities, lack of support and poor pupil behaviour is driving people out of the classroom.
She said: “I left teaching in 2022 because one of my sons had additional needs and I couldn’t give him the support needed as well as juggling a full-time teaching role. The role had changed, it wasn’t just about teaching, there were more and more responsibilities and no support.
“I left and bought a children’s activity franchise which supports children and young people with their mental health. I love it but I wish I had had support at the time to go it alone.
“That’s where the idea came from for The Relaxed Mind. I wanted to help other teachers wanting to leave the profession, using the skills I’d learnt.”
The coaching service offers both online and in-person support, helping teachers develop skills they may not have used before such as CV writing, interview techniques, marketing, contract negotiations and basic accounting. Claire also brings in guest experts to support those making the transition.
Figures from the National Foundation for Educational Research show that around 43,500 teachers left the profession during the 2022–23 academic year. The number of unfilled teaching vacancies is now double pre-pandemic levels.
Claire said: “I’ve been contacted by teachers here and from places as far afield as America and South Africa who are telling me that they’re burnt-out, that mismanagement is driving them out and that children’s behaviour and the lack of consequence is so much worse post-Covid. Here multi-academy trusts mean there’s not the accountability that there was when local authorities held the reins and that’s also driving teachers out.
“If teachers are struggling with out-of-control pupils, it can have a huge detrimental effect on their mental health as well as their confidence. They can feel trapped and think that if they can’t cope in a profession they’ve trained for how can they leave and pursue a career elsewhere?
“The teachers I’m speaking with want to get out but don’t believe in themselves and can’t see a way out. I want to change that – teachers have so many transferable skills I can help them see that.
“I work with them to identify what support they need and help them with the next stage of their career, whether that’s launching their own business venture or a totally new career. I want them to see that there is a future outside of teaching and that that future can be bright.”
