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What you need to know If you are an overseas teacher looking for work opportunities in the UK, we have compiled answers to a series of questions that will inform you how the school system is set up in the UK and what you can expect.
For further information on working in the UK, go to our International recruitment section. The overwhelming majority of Schools in the UK are publicly funded and run by a head teacher who will have direct responsibility to a board of governors representing parents, staff and the Local Education Authority. Local Education Authorities (LEAs) are part of the local government system. Their main responsibilities include: the distribution of the schools budget; planning the supply of school places for a given area; and ensuring that every child has access to a suitable school place. Overall funding and policy is set by central government through the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The DfES determines the National Curriculum, which sets out what subjects are taught between the ages of 5 - 14, and the inspection system run by the Office for Standards in Education, more commonly known as Ofsted. All schools have their performance measured with the results published annually in the form of 'league' tables. Key measurements include: test and exam results and attendance figures. For the latest performance tables, visit www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/ . Wales: the school system in Wales follows along the same lines as that in England ie they follow the National Curriculum. However, some powers have been devolved to the Welsh Assembly. For further information visit: www.accac.org.uk Scotland has a different system with less government control. For further information visit: www.hmis.scotoff.gov.uk/GETS Northern Ireland has selective secondary education and most of its schools are distinctively Protestant or Roman Catholic. For further information visit: www.nireland.gov.uk Types of Schools Childcare centres, also known as day nurseries, are either privately owned or run by the local authority. They may or may not be attached to a school. Nursery's can be broken down into two types:
Pre-schools are also known as nurseries for up to 4 year olds after which the children enter the first year of formal learning in the reception class. Sometimes nursery nurses are employed as classroom assistants in reception. From the ages of 5 -16, school attendance is compulsory. Primary The primary sector is divided into two age groups:
The UK has both public and private schools within all sectors of the education system. Primary schools teach 5-11 year olds. A key change that has been introduced in recent years to teaching in primary schools, is that an hour is dedicated to prescriptive activities for literacy and then a further hour for numeracy. These activities tend to be well supported in terms of teaching resources. When you arrive in the UK, your recruitment consultant will let you know how to order your free pack about teaching literacy and numeracy. Secondary Secondary schools have at least two age ranges within them:
Some secondary schools have a sixth form for 16 to 18 year olds. Alternatively, these students can go to a local further education college or sixth form college. Universities usually take students aged eighteen upwards. The National Curriculum in the UK sets the teaching guidelines that schools are to follow. The core subject areas of the curriculum are English, Mathematics, Science, Design & Technology, Information Technology and Languages. Schools will also offer a selection of other subjects to provide a complete curriculum. Examinations are taken at the age of 16 for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), and at 18 for the Advanced Level (A Level). For further details on the National Curriculum and what is taught within each subject area visit the Department of Education and skills (DfES) web site www.dfes.gov.uk. Other types of schools: Although most schools are publicly funded and run by a head teacher with a board of governors, other types of schools to be found in the UK include: Foundation schools. These are similar to mainstream publicly funded schools, but have a religious or charitable foundation as the owner. The foundation may have influence over the appointment of teachers, governors and other staff, and determine the right of students to attend. City Technology Colleges and Specialist schools. They teach the National Curriculum but will have a focus on a particular subject, such as technology or the arts. Special Educational Needs (SEN) Schools. SEN schools are distinct from specialist schools as they teach children with physical, emotional, educational and behavioural difficulties. Teaching groups are smaller than those found in mainstream schools. Children will usually be supported by both a teacher and a classroom assistant, as well as a nursery nurse in primary schools. Working in an SEN school can be very challenging as well as rewarding. Although SEN schools are separate entities, many mainstream schools will have an SEN department. Independent schools. Independent schools charge fees and are privately owned by individuals, companies or trusts. Primary classroom teachers usually:
They may also:
Secondary classroom teachers usually work in a number of teams:
Support teachers may specialise in dealing with particular groups of students, such as:
Support teachers may help with a whole class or be assigned to support particular students. In some schools they work full time. In others, they may work part-time in more than one school per week. These schools will tend to stay the same from week to week. Under the National Curriculum, all students from 5-14 study:
The National Curriculum is organised into Key Stages by age group:
English, maths and science are tested formally by National Tests (known commonly as SATs) at the end of Key Stages 1-3 (science from Key Stages 2). Other subjects are teacher-assessed.
From 16-18 students can take:
For more information visit: England and Wales www.dfes.gov.uk/teachers The academic year in England and Wales runs from September to July and totals 195 days. There are three terms, each with one week's half-term break. In total, you'll receive 13 weeks holiday.
A very small proportion of schools operate a five term year, with eight week long terms and more frequent, but shorter, holidays. For further information on all aspects of the UK school system, visit The Department of Education and Skills website at www.dfes.gov.uk What we are able to offer you will depend on several factors including:
The demand for primary teachers is consistently high, while pre-school and childcare centres are less predictable. The demand for secondary teachers may vary depending on your subject area. From July to September demand within the secondary sector reduces due to the end of the school year, which marks the beginning of a six-week holiday break. We recommend that if you want a longer term position that you are available for interviews during the holidays immediately preceding a term. Our recruitment consultants will be able to provide you with more information on the nature of demand. Nursery Early childhood teachers require a 3 or 4 year Bachelor Degree and nursery nurses require either an Associate Diploma of Social Science (Child Care), a Diploma of Children's Services (0-5), or other two-year full-time recognised industry courses. You will also need to be fluent in the English Language both oral and written. Primary and Secondary Schools To teach within the primary or secondary sectors you must have one of the following qualifications:
Trade union membership is a popular choice in the teaching profession. Trade unions will offer the following:
The biggest unions representing teachers are:
The government has established a General Teaching Council (GTC) as a professional body for teachers in England (www.gtce.org.uk ) and for Wales ( www.gtcw.org.uk ). Membership is compulsory and fees cost £23 a year. There is also a well-established General Teaching Council for Scotland ( www.gtcs.org.uk ). For further information on the education system in different parts of the UK, click on the links below. England www.dfes.gov.uk and www.dfes.gov.uk/etb/ Wales www.accac.org.uk Scotland www.hmis.scotoff.gov.uk/GETS Northern Ireland www.nireland.gov.uk |
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