Thanks you for all the advice and warnings. I have already had a couple of Skype interviews and have been told that this is the norm now which I accept. The job is a teaching post at a very reputable school. (Done my research) and with time scales etc I would not expect there to be an opportunity to visit first. I know the area (admittedly several years ago) and will only sign up for a year. I am not planning to uproot totally, there is only me to consider but will keep a base in the UK should it all go pear shaped.
Thank you for the valuable info re contracts etc.