The UK’s severe teacher shortage is set to worsen in the next few years. Increasing class sizes, a wider range of subjects and the travel restrictions imposed by Covid-19 are making it more difficult than ever to recruit new teachers. UK schools are instead beginning to look to international teaching professionals to fill the skills gap.
Schools in London and other English cities are particularly in need of specialists in Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) to start as soon as possible in 2020 and 2021. Find out more and
apply to become a teacher in England.
Here are five ways to become a teacher in the UK.
How to Get a Maths or Science Teacher Job in England
- Make a Plan for What You Want
If you’re thinking of making a permanent life change by moving to the UK, now is the perfect time to reevaluate all aspects of your life and future goals. Ask yourself:
- What were the best things about your previous teaching position, and what would you have liked to be able to do differently?
- In which areas, such as lesson planning or behavioural management, did you excel, how and why?
- What do you feel you are highly skilled in, and in which areas do you think you need to or would like to improve?
- What do you really want from your career – and from your life?
The best teachers are those who truly enjoy their jobs and find purpose and happiness in their education careers. Focus on what really matters to you on an individual level. Do you want to travel the world? Living and working in big cities like London and Manchester will provide valuable transport links to travel Europe and across the globe. Do you want to be constantly challenged, learn something new and truly make a difference to children and young people every day? Working with students who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) could be exactly what you’re looking for.
When you know what you really want from your career and lifestyle, you can create a plan for the type of job, school and place to live that will help you succeed.
2. Legal & Professional Applications
Before travelling, you must hold the right to work in the UK through the following methods:
- Passports: UK or (until 1st January 2020) EU Passport
- Visas such as: Tier 5 Youth Mobility; Ancestry; Settlement; Spousal.
Visa sponsorship may be available from your new school. Find out more about
visa requirements.
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is normally required to teach in state-funded English schools. Those who qualified in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America (USA) are now recognised as qualified teachers and awarded QTS in England without being required to undertake any further training or assessment. Fully qualified teachers who were trained in any EEA country can
apply for QTS online. You will still be required to satisfy any UK Border Agency requirements that may apply for the purposes of entering or remaining in the UK.
If you completed your teacher training in a country outside of those listed above, then you will first need to undertake an accredited teacher
training programme in order to be granted QTS.
Heads and recruiters will want to see references from your existing and previous employers. In advance of relocating, speak to your immediate managers and current and former colleagues to ask for their help. Prepare written references to demonstrate your character, skills and experience, and obtain contact details for each referee so that your potential employer can follow up.
3. Update Your CV
The average job in the UK sees hundreds of applicants. Whilst the education sector receives fewer applications than other sectors, competition in particular schools and areas of the country can often be much tougher due to the required qualifications and experience. Busy Head Teachers and education recruitment agencies will need to quickly assess your personal application to understand your skill set and confirm that you are well suited to your ideal job.
Research extensively into the type of school you wish to work at, and in your preferred locations. What are their most common problems and challenges – do they have low budgets and few resources, or do they have a growing need to support SEND students? Find out their aspirations: are they looking to improve their Ofsted ranking, or do they want to Tailor your Curriculum Vitae (CV) to show why you are the best candidate for this school.
Grab the attention of your reader straight away by promoting your skills and experience that are most relevant to the vacancy. Have you helped disadvantaged young people write successful applications to prestigious Universities? Did your creative thinking and quick response help a student in urgent need? Are you particularly inventive with lesson plans that help engage and inspire students? Use your previous success in similar circumstances to show your unique value to your potential school and prove the benefits that employing you will bring to the staff and students.
Whilst the basic elements of CV writing can seem obvious, paying extra attention to the quality of your application can help you stand out amongst the competition. Follow these tips to ensure your CV is as professional as possible:
- Start with an impressive headline – Begin your CV with a two-sentence summary outlining your best teaching skills and achievements
- Show your relevance – When outlining your work history, include the experience/skills that are the most applicable to the job you are applying for at the top of each list
- Don’t forget structure – Ask a trusted friend or connection to proofread your document to ensure everything makes sense. Don’t be tempted to stand out with graphics and different font colours: focus on the content of your application. Keep your CV clean and clear, and stick to a three-page limit to make sure it’s easy to read.
4. Familiarise Yourself with the English Curriculum
When you have made the decision to move to the UK, researching the British schooling system will help you get settled in before you even arrive in the country. Find out as much as you can about education in England, including:
- Curriculum – All schools must follow a national curriculum which sets out the study programmes and attainment targets for all students at different stages of their education
- Education Calendar – English pupils study in three terms across 40 weeks every year, which are spaced out to include long summer, Christmas and Easter holidays and shorter breaks for students between terms
- Age and Learning Groups – Schools in England are usually divided into five ‘Key Stages’ that tailor education as children progress from ages 5 to 18
- Grading Systems – Exams and testing systems for each stage
- Regulation – Each school is regularly inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (OFSTED), which is operated by the UK Government.
Prospero’s
Teaching in the UK course covers everything you need to know about the English education system, from quality standards and expectations of staff and students, to lesson planning and marking, to classroom management and behaviour management.
5. Register with an Agency
Whilst it may seem easier to apply directly to schools, this strategy is unlikely to succeed. Most schools, colleges, Universities and nurseries will use external agencies to recruit for teachers, Teaching Assistant (TA) and support staff positions.
All recruitment agencies in England are free to use: candidates will not be charged any fees for applications, interviews or job offers. With almost 40,000 recruitment agencies in the UK, finding the right one for you can seem an impossible task. Registering with an agency that specialises in education recruitment and particularly recruiting international teachers will deliver the best chance of success. The team at Prospero Teaching includes former teaching professionals from overseas who have first-hand experience of the English education system –
register with us to start your career in the UK.
Apply to Teach in the UK
We’re continuing to recruit for UK Primary and Secondary schools during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. Schools across England are urgently seeking Maths, Science and MFL teaching staff to start in October, November or December 2020 or from January 2021.
Prospero Teaching are partnering with the UK Government’s Department for Education to help experienced teachers relocate to start a new job in England.
Candidates trained in the following countries are eligible to apply:
- United States of America (USA)
- Canada
- Australia
- South Africa
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- France
- Germany
- Spain.
Find out more –
start your teaching career in the UK.
