The 5 Best Things about Teaching in the UK

5 Reasons to Teach in the UK

1. Quality of Education System

In 2019 the UK was ranked as the best country in the world for education. The world’s second most popular higher education choices, over half a million international students enrol in British Universities every year. English capital city London has the highest number of top worldwide ranked universities per city, home to four of the top 10 global Universities.  Excellent standards mean that higher education degrees and qualifications are recognised by employers and academics around the world. UK Primary and Secondary education is also world-beating. There are only three countries (Singapore, Taiwan and Japan) where the top 10% of pupils are more than one school term ahead of their English peers in Science. in England. These high standards are in part due to regular and rigorous pupil assessment every year and at Key Stages of their school careers. The rich diversity of British schools enables children and young people to mix with peers across backgrounds and expand their knowledge and experience informally, and a range of extra-curricular activities further supports learning and personal development.

2. British Culture

The UK has a wealth of history surrounding the industrial revolution, the influence of dozens of different countries across continents, and the current and previous royal families. From landmarks, museums and galleries to sports games, music events and food festivals, to literature, film, theatre and science, the UK’s entertainment options offer something for everyone.

Britain has always been home to people who originate from countries and cultures around the world, and is becoming an increasingly multicultural society. In London alone, over a third of residents – 2.5million people – are foreign born, Londoners derive from over 270 nationalities and speak 300 languages. Cities across the UK are rich with diverse populations and cultures, and provide plenty of opportunities to learn and experience new customs, food and traditions. The country is liberal, forward-focused and inclusive of people of all ages and backgrounds. Like many countries around the world, Britain offers residents free healthcare, including accident and emergency assistance, and free education until the age of 18. Britain has some of the best working conditions around the world, with a minimum of 20 days’ paid holiday, flexible working days and hours, part-time and contract employment options and a 40-hour full-time working week as standard. Equality in the workplace is guaranteed by law: it is illegal for any employer to discriminate against any employee on the basis of gender equality, marital status, age, belief, race or religion, disability or sexual orientation.

3. Career Development

Teaching in the United Kingdom means continually learning and developing your skills and experience throughout your career. After initially qualifying, most staff are required to complete at least 30 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses every year. Teachers can access these courses from a range of providers, with some offering free courses that are accredited by the UK Government’s Department for Education. CPD courses also provide invaluable support to help teaching staff inside and outside of the classroom, and help teachers find new tools and techniques to maximise student learning and attainment. Prospero Teaching provides free, accredited CPD courses across:

• Remote Teaching
• Safeguarding
• Classroom Management
• Inclusive Education
• Behaviour Management
• Curriculum Changes
• Assessment
• Revision.

Find out more about our courses.

4. Travel

The UK, particularly large cities in England and Scotland, has some of the best travel connections in Europe. British transport systems include overground railways, high speed trains, links to the Eurostar, ferries to neighbouring countries and over 40 airports. Britain is the perfect long-term destination for any budding explorer, with the country just a two-hour flight away from:

• France – Paris is a global hub for fashion, classical art and quality food and wines
• Spain – Barcelona offers a rich history and enjoys a warm and sunny climate
• Germany – Diverse landscapes of forests, mountains and beaches captivate visitors during the day, and festivals and popular nightlife entertain in the evenings
• Belgium – Home of the European Union (EU) headquarters, Medieval towns and renaissance architecture
• Netherlands – Globally famous Amsterdam presents a unique experience of canalside mansions, art and museums, and recent history
• Switzerland – Covered in mountain ranges like the Alps, the country is world-renowned for skiing and hiking.

The United Kingdom itself also boasts hundreds of opportunities to explore. England’s historical sights are not limited to the capital: cities like Manchester, York, Cambridge, Oxford, Liverpool and Bristol possess centuries and often millennia of history and tradition combined with sporting and entertainment activities. World-famous sights across England include Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, York Minster, Warwick Castle and Windsor Palace. Scotland has 900 individual islands where travellers can enjoy uninhabited archipelagos, natural beaches and forests filled with wildlife. Wales is renowned for Mount Snowdon and the beautiful Snowdonia National Park, as well as its numerous historic castles, public gardens and museums. Northern Ireland is the birthplace of RMS Titanic and home to countless National Trust sites, cathedrals and feats of architecture.

5. Volume and Variety of Teaching Jobs

Schools across the UK have been suffering from a teacher shortage which has increased in recent years, with Covid-19 making the situation more urgent. Class sizes are predicted to grow by 17% in the next eight years, and school staff numbers continue to reduce – whilst secondary pupil numbers in 2019 were the same as in 2007, the numbers of teaching staff fell by 7% – meaning educators are more in demand than ever before. The UK curriculum covers a wide range of subjects, providing a range of jobs available to teachers across subjects. The following subjects are mandatory for all children at Key Stage 3:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• History
• Geography
• Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)
• Design and Technology (DT)
• Art and Design
• Music
• Physical Education
• Citizenship
• Computing (IT).

Older age groups can choose from over 100 A Level subjects such as Law, Economics, Philosophy, Architecture, Photography, Journalism, Business, Drama, Travel and a plethora of languages from around the world. University students are spoilt for choice with over 50,000 degree courses. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic and beyond, schools across England are urgently recruiting. We are urgently looking for experienced Maths, Science, Computer Science and Modern Foreign Language (MFL) teaching staff to start new jobs from Autumn 2020 or in January 2021. Prospero Teaching are partnering with the UK’s Department for Education (DfE) to help experienced teachers relocate to England. Candidates trained in the following countries are eligible to apply:

• Australia
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Spain
• United States of America.

Find out more – become a teacher in the UK. We offer job opportunities in EYFS, primary, secondary and SEND schools.