Do you only support teachers coming from overseas?
No, we support any candidate based in the UK or coming from overseas provided they have right to work in the UK, have comparable qualifications and are able to pass our vetting requirements.
What type of work opportunities are you able to provide?
We provide long term and short-term opportunities to candidates. It is up to you what you wish to look for. If you are looking for long-term work, we have many clients with positions lasting the whole academic year. If you prefer to work on a short-term supply or day-to-day basis, we are also able to assist you.
Do you only provide work opportunities for teachers?
No, we have many different school based roles that we are able to provide assistance with. This includes teachers, teaching assistant, classroom support and SEN roles.
I am coming from overseas. Do you help with the documentation I need to complete to arrive?
Although we cannot complete all the documents you need we will assist you every step of the way, providing help identifying and applying for the right visa and completing any safeguarding checks you need before you arrive. We also assist you once you are here, helping you to set up bank accounts and national insurance numbers.
I am looking for positions in the future and not right now. Should I still apply now?
Yes! Don’t feel you need to wait to apply. Even if you are not looking for work for another year or longer we will still ensure you are registered and receiving updates relevant to you.
Will I have a dedicated consultant who I can talk to throughout the process?
Yes! You will have a personal consultant who will answer all your queries and help you throughout the process. Even once you start work they’ll still keep in contact with you and be able to answer any questions that come up.
What are the term dates for the UK?
- Autumn Term: From the first week in September to mid-December, with a one-week Half Term holiday in October and a two-week Christmas holiday in December
- Spring Term: From January to Easter in March/April, with a one-week Half Term holiday in February and a two-week Easter holiday in March/April
- Summer Term: From after Easter in March/April to late July, with a one-week Half Term holiday in May.
How do the Year Groups work in the UK?
YEAR-GROUP CHART | ||
Ages | Key Stage | Type of School |
Key Stage 1 | Nursery/Infants | |
3-4 | Foundation | |
4-5 | Reception | |
5-6 | Year 1 | |
6-7 | Year 2 | |
Key Stage 2 | Junior | |
7-8 | Year 3 | |
8-9 | Year 4 | |
9-10 | Year 5 | |
10-11 | Year 6 | |
Key Stage 3 | Secondary | |
11-12 | Year 7 | |
12-13 | Year 8 | |
13-14 | Year 9 | |
Key Stage 4 | Secondary – GCSE | |
14-15 | Year 10 | |
15-16 | Year 11 | |
Key Stage 5 | Secondary – A levels (not compulsory) | |
16-17 | Year 12 | |
17-18 | Year 13 |
Do you have any more information on the Curriculum in the UK?
- Subject-based department or faculty teams
- Pastoral teams, usually based on year groups divided into forms (classes)
- Form tutors are responsible for daily registration and every day pastoral matters
- Cross-curricular teams, such as special educational needs or personal, health and social education.
- A typical Literacy lesson would consist of approximately 15 minutes whole class shared reading or writing text work, approximately 15 minutes whole class focused word or sentence work, approximately 20 minutes independent reading, writing or word work while the teacher works with ability groups on guided reading or writing, and approximately 10 minutes whole class plenary of reviewing, reflecting, consolidating or presenting work covered in the lesson.
- A typical Numeracy lesson would consist of approximately 5-10 minutes of oral calculation with the whole-class rehearsing and sharpening mental skills, approximately 30-40 minutes of main teaching input with pupils working as a whole class, in groups, in pairs or as individuals and approximately 10-15 minutes plenary with the whole class sorting out misconceptions, identifying progress, summarising key facts, making links to other work and discussing the next steps or work to be done at home.
Do you have any information on Lesson Planning and Teaching Resources?
What is Ofsted and how does it work?
Ofsted is the UK government department that is responsible for standards in education in England. Ofsted’s remit is very broad, but in essence they are the government agency who inspect schools and produce a report on the standard of education delivered in schools. Schools are visited by a team of Ofsted inspectors for 2 to 4 days every 4 to 5 years. Besides observing lessons, they speak to the learners and examine paperwork relating to all school administration, including lesson plans. The Ofsted inspectors are looking for what is being done incorrectly or not being done, so while they do praise the positive aspects, there is a tendency for them to focus on the more negative aspects of a school. Ofsted uses a grading system from 1 to 4 to rate schools according to the findings of their inspections. Grade 1 is Outstanding, Grade 2 is Good, Grade 3 is Requires Improvement and Grade 4 is Inadequate. For more information about Ofsted, check out the Ofsted website.
Do you have any Behavior Management Tips?
- Make yourself aware of and follow the school behaviour management policy
- Get to know your students and ensure you take in to account their emotional, social and educational needs
- Discuss expectations, rewards and sanctions with pupils and encourage shared ownership
- Be prepared and organised – use seating plans, establish routines, be well-planned etc
- Make your lessons engaging, relevant and be prepared to change pace and activities
- Be flexible and prepared to adapt lessons if they are not bringing the best out of students
- Be proactive and circulate around the room
- Don’t ignore incidents or let events escalate
- Use verbal and non verbal signals to control behaviour
- Use humour, distraction and redirection to manage situations
- Use positive reinforcement and be a good role model
- Be firm but fair and apply rules consistently
- Stay calm, control your voice and do not to lose your temper
- Do not shout, or use sarcasm or ridicule
- Think about your timings and allow adequate time for a plenary, setting homework etc
- NEVER use physical punishment
How do I get a QTS and do I need it to work?
- A qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree;
- A qualification equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in mathematics and English
- In addition, if you intend to teach primary or Key Stage 2/3 (ages 7-14) and you were born on or after 1 September 1979, you will require a qualification equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in science.
Professional values and practice | Outline the attitudes and commitment expected of anyone qualifying to be a teacher – e.g. treating pupils and students consistently; communicating sensitively and effectively with parents and carers. | ||
Knowledge and understanding | Require newly qualified teachers to be confident and authoritative in the subjects they teach, and to have a clear understanding of how all pupils should progress and what teachers should expect them to achieve. | ||
Teaching | Relate to the skills involved in actually delivering lessons – e.g. planning, monitoring, assessment and class management. They are underpinned by the values and knowledge covered in the first two sections. | ||
What is a NQT?
Are there Teacher Unions in the UK?
Living in the UK - Survival Guide
Obtaining a National Insurance (NI) Number
Opening a Bank Account
Mobile Phones
Transport and Travel
- The London Underground – also known as the Tube
- Trains – Operated by National Rail
- Buses
Healthcare
Accommodation
- When viewing the property, check to make sure the house is in good order and look for damp, mould and any other signs that have not been well maintained. Ensure the property is secure with sound window and door locks.
- Find out what furniture is included with the rental and if you can redecorate, bring in your own furniture, or put pictures up etc.
- If it’s a shared property, spend time with potential housemates before you sign.
- Make sure all appropriate details are included in the tenancy agreement, such as how much you will pay and when, the length of the contract and the notice period. Be clear on which bills you have to pay, and what’s included in your rent, such as gas, water, electricity and Council Tax.
- Agree on an inventory of the property with your landlord. It should have details of the property, the furniture and the condition of both at the point when you take up tenancy. If something is already broken, make sure this is noted.
- Before your move, get a copy of the tenancy agreement, a receipt for your deposit and a receipt for any rent paid in advance.
- If you are looking to settle and teach in and around London, we recommend that you consider accommodation within Zones 1 – 5 of the London Tube Map. Accommodation options in Zone 1 will be in the heart of the city and very convenient, but also rather pricey. For leafy green areas that are in fairly easy access to most of London, have a look at South West London, including Clapham, Putney, Southfields, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, New Malden, Earls Court and Shepherd’s Bush. Leyton, Lewisham, Highbury and Islington are less leafy but are conveniently located in terms of public transport options, and rentals tend to be very reasonable.
Bits and Bobs
- England is packed with things to do and places to see! Join our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for regular updates on local events and sightseeing suggestions, but here are a few additional websites to inspire you:
- Meet new friends who live in your area on www.meetup.com
- The currency of England is the Pound. There are 100 Pence in each Pound. Paper money comes in £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations, and coins come in denominations of £2, £1 and 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p
- London runs on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the clocks go forward to Daylight Saving Time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October each year.
- The Emergency phone number in the UK is 999
- The international dial code for the UK is 0044 or +44
- Cars drive on the left hand side of the road, so always look right first when crossing the roads
- Tap water in England is safe unless there’s a sign to the contrary
- Public holidays are called Bank Holidays in England – for the dates of these, click here.