[the returner]

Is it difficult finding teaching jobs in the UK, not London. I am both British and Australian.

 

[Guest]

Yes very, there are not that many jobs about in any field. What do you teach and what age? Science or math for teens you might be OK but not in much else.

 

[the returner]

Thanks for the reply I teach primary ed. I was thinking of maybe applying from here through the teaching agencies in the UK or just email schools. Not sure.

 

[Guest]

I'd contact agencies, schools wouldn't look at your CV unless you were applying for an advertised post. But now until about the end of May is the time to be looking on TES and The Guardian sites. If local councils use a specific agency for cover work it should say on the council web site. Many in the NW use protocol.

 

[Joppa]

I'd contact agencies, schools wouldn't look at your CV unless you were applying for an advertised post. But now until about the end of May is the time to be looking on TES and The Guardian sites. If local councils use a specific agency for cover work it should say on the council web site. Many in the NW use protocol.

I assume you have Australian teaching qualification. It isn't automatically recognised in UK, and to gain qualified teacher status (QTS), you have to go on overseas trained teachers programme (OTTP) by working as unqualified teacher in a school and being supported for OTTP, mainly by having your lessons observed and creating a portfolio of evidence to show you meet required standards. Now the problem for you is that since there is a large surplus of primary teachers, very few schools offer you a post that enables you to go on OTTP, and there is little demand for unqualified teachers because of a glut of qualified staff with latest UK experience of national curriculum and various strategies. Some supply work may be available, but as unqualified teacher your pay will be a third less, and the work you get is too unpredictable as a source of steady income. Alternatively you can do a one-year PGCE to gain QTS, but the fees are high (around £12k for overseas students - even though you are British you haven't lived for 3 years in UK before starting) and you still have to serve a year's induction, and induction posts are as rare as hen's teeth.

Now there is a rise in pupil numbers (enrolment) and the situation may look rosier in a few years, but it will take a sustained increase in teaching posts to absorb the slack - the large pool of currently unemployed teachers and those expected to complete their teacher training in the next few years, as the government hasn't cut the number of training places for primary teachers.

The North West is perhaps one of the toughest areas in which to look for primary teaching posts. Each vacancy attracts a hundred or more applicants and competition is extremely keen, and you don't get a look in because of the lack of QTS. Schools do use unqualified staff to cover lessons, and teaching assistants are often given a class to teach/manage in the absence of regular teachers, but this isn't good for children's education and teaching unions are trying to stamp out this practice but without much success, as cost cutting is a way of life for schools in Britain under economic crisis.

 

[Liz in UK]

I don't know much about all of the proper qualifications you will need, etc. But I do know from hunting for jobs in general that some teaching posts are listed in the jobs section of the County Council's website. (At least they are in Somerset.) Good luck!

 

[the returner]

Thankyou for the info. Although it is not looking too good. I can't believe It would cost me 12 k to do a PGCE. I wonder how they expect me to live in the uk and support my children for 3 years before i can complete it. WOW....maybe staying put in OZ is looking good!! I think i will try through the agencies and see where that leads me. Thanks again