International Teachers
Overseas Trained Teachers
For international teachers, working in the UK allows you the flexibility to experience teaching and living in the UK, while being able travel around Europe and visit amazing places like Paris, Barcelona, Munich and Ireland, that are just a 1-2 hour flight away.
If you are considering joining the thousands of international teachers already here, TeacherActive will be on hand to support you every step of the way, before you get here and after you arrive. Moving to the UK is a daunting prospect, but never fear, you’d be one of thousands of like-minded individuals coming to the UK to start their European adventure. It’s highly likely that the schools where you’ll be working, will not only have a very active social calendar, but there will also be people who are doing the same thing as you.
TeacherActive prides itself on the support network that we provide all of our teachers and support staff. Our specialist relocation consultants will be on hand to answer any questions regarding accommodation, visas, bank accounts and much more.
It isn’t just support we can offer you – but also the opportunity to teach across the whole of the UK to suit your personal requirements. We work with over 2,000 different schools in 19 different locations, so we can ensure you will be working in a school that will support your career and provide the right opportunity for you. We can place you into a variety of positions with schools from one day through to a full academic year or permanent / sponsorship opportunities. Whatever your needs and whatever you want to achieve while in the UK, we can help.
In addition, we strongly believe that the social and life experiences that you will experience while you’re here, will make your trip memorable. Meeting like-minded international teachers at our regular social events and parties, is a great way to meet new friends while you are here. Travelling is also very popular and will provide you with a lifetime of memories. Visiting places like Oktoberfest, Gallipoli, Dublin, the Eiffel Tower, La Tomatina, Leaning Tower of Pisa, The Colosseum, Venice and much, much more:
Why join our Relocation Programme?
As a member of the TeacherActive team, you can expect to enjoy the following benefits:
- Market-leading daily rates of pay including tax benefits
- An opportunity to gain a long term contract prior to your arrival in the UK
- FREE flights to the UK up to a value of $1,000
- Guaranteed Pay Schemes
- Help finding accommodation and best flight prices
- Assistance with setting up a UK bank account and NI number
- Support and guidance from your dedicated relocation consultant
- High level support from one of the largest UK education agencies and the school itself
- Opportunity to enhance and develop as a teacher
- Assistance / advice on relocation and travel
Click here to see a full list of our most recent jobs in London and throughout the UK
Living in the UK
Where to live?
Working with TeacherActive gives you a huge amount of options regarding where to live in the UK. Not only do we have offices across the whole of the UK, but more importantly, we work with thousands of schools that will want to speak to you about working with them. Many teachers will want to live in London, but more and more teachers are now choosing other locations that may be more cost effective and still provide their desired lifestyle. Our specialist relocation team will help you decide which area suits you and your preferences. We believe that offering you a variety of places to live, will ultimately provide you with the best experience.
Accommodation
Most people decide to rent or house share. There’s a huge choice of flats and other properties to choose from. TeacherActive can give you invaluable advice on how to arrange temporary accommodation before you arrive. As a new visitor to the UK, it’s definitely worth spending some time in temporary accommodation before committing to a rental contract, to make sure that you get it right for you. TeacherActive have excellent links with local estate agents to help.
London Life & Social Life
London is a diverse and exciting city with many of the world’s best sights. The City of London benefits from world class museums, galleries and attractions, including the Tower of London, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Many national and international events are regularly based in the city including the Rugby World Cup! For updated information about future events see www.visitlondon.com
Why London?
Finance
TeacherActive can help you open a UK bank account to receive your wages each week. UK tax and National Insurance will be deducted directly from your weekly pay. This is termed PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
Can I teach in the UK?
In the UK there is a huge demand for qualified teachers particularly from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Canada. Whatever your situation let us know and we can advise you on the likelihood of finding a teaching job in the UK. You must have qualified teacher status (QTS) to take up a teaching post in England; this is awarded by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). If you qualified in the European Economic Area (EEA) then your qualification will be recognised in England Teachers qualified in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland must apply to the NCTL before you can be recognised as holding QTS. Please click on this link for the NCTL online application form https://teacherservices.education.gov.uk/
If you qualified outside of these countries then you will need to complete an accredited training programme. You can find further information on www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options
Will I need a Visa?
The short answer is yes. The easiest way to get a short term two year visa is to apply for a Youth Mobility Visa (YMV). We’ve listed some more guidance on the current requirement below however if you’re unsure please contact TeacherActive for more information or visit www.gov.uk/tier-5-youth-mobility/overview
If you reside outside the EEA or those countries above, or cannot qualify for a Youth Mobility Visa then you can seek more guidance from the Government’s website: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Youth Mobility Visa – How to apply? What are the requirements?
To qualify for this visa you must:
Be aged between 18-30
Have a valid passport for one of the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Monaco, South Korea or Taiwan.
Have the equivalent to £1890GBP in your bank account.
Have no children.
When should I apply for my YMV?
Best time to apply is around three months before your departure; don’t leave it too late as depending on the time of the year some visa applications can take up to six weeks. You will need to apply for the visa before you leave home as you cannot apply for it once you have arrived in the UK.
How to apply
You have two options: apply for your UK visa directly or pay a visa agent to do the application for you. The fee for your application is currently £225 plus you will need to pay an additional Healthcare Surcharge of £200.
Completing the application yourself will save you money however if you make an error in your application the British High Commission will decline your visa and you will need to reapply and pay another fee.
As a part of the visa application you will be required to attend a biometrics appointment. If you are in Australia or New Zealand you can get that done at the British Consulate in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Police Checks
Prior to undertaking work in the UK you must have a police check from your country of origin that is dated within the last 12 months. If you have lived in another country within the last five years and for more than 12 months then you will also need a police check from that country.
Before you undertake your contract in a UK school you will need to hold a UK police check called the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). TeacherActive will guide you through the process prior to your arrival to ensure there’s no delay in starting work.
References
You will need to provide two references covering the last five years. These must be professional references from an educational establishment. If you are a newly qualified teacher then your references can be from your university and a work placement.
Working in UK Schools
The UK has a multi-cultural and diverse society. Of course things will be different and it will take time to adapt, but that’s part of the beauty of teaching in a different country.
The National Curriculum offers some subject specific guidance which we’d recommend you look at. Please click the link for redirection to their website – www.gov.uk/national-curriculum/overview
At TeacherActive we will ensure that you will be completely prepared for life teaching in the UK. If you have any questions about working in a UK school then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Term dates & structure of the UK education system
In the UK there are three school terms:
Term 1: The Autumn term – This term starts on the first week of September and finishes late December.
Term 2: The Spring term – This term begins the first week of January and finishes at Easter
Term 3: The Summer term – This term begins after Easter and finishes late July
The UK education system is broken up into Key Stages (KS) which look like the following:
| Age | Year/Setting | Key Stage |
| 0-3 | Children’s Centre | EYFS |
| 3-4 | Nursery | EYFS |
| 4-5 | Reception | EYFS |
| 5-6 | Year 1 | KS1 |
| 6-7 | Year 2 | KS1 |
| 7-8 | Year 3 | KS2 |
| 8-9 | Year 4 | KS2 |
| 9-10 | Year 5 | KS2 |
| 10-11 | Year 6 | KS2 |
| 11-12 | Year 7 | KS3 |
| 12-13 | Year 8 | KS3 |
| 13-14 | Year 9 | KS3 |
| 14-15 | Year 10 | KS4 |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | KS4 |
| 16-17 | Year 12 | KS5/Post 16 |
| 17-18 | Year 13 | KS5/Post 16 |
For more detailed information about specific age groups and curriculum information please visit www.education.gov.uk
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