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Q: Working As a Teacher in the United Kingdom ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Working As a Teacher in the United Kingdom
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: bridgetteg-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 24 Mar 2006 07:02 PST
Expires: 23 Apr 2006 08:02 PDT
Question ID: 711458
My husband and I are considering moving abroad to the UK, most likely
to the London area. I am a teacher in New York and I am certified here
to teach elementary education (pre-kindergarten through 6th grade),
special education, and reading. I would like to know three things: 1)
What teaching positions would I be qualified for in the UK? 2) How do I
obtain a visa? and 3) What are some good school districts within about
a one hour distance from London that I might apply to?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Working As a Teacher in the United Kingdom
Answered By: answerfinder-ga on 24 Mar 2006 08:29 PST
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
Dear bridgetteg-ga,

You have asked three questions which cannot be answered here in detail
as there are a number of variables involved. However, I can refer you
to a number of web sites which you can explore to obtain further
information. There will also be links to other web sites of relevant
organisations which will assist you.

Question 1. What teaching positions would I be qualified for in the UK? 

To work as a teacher you need qualified teacher status ?QTS? but you
can take up a temporary position as an unqualified teacher for up to
four years based on an overseas qualification.

The Overseas Trained Teacher Programme will assist you to undergo
training for QTS. You need to have the following qualifications:

?You must first be qualified as a teacher overseas and working as an
unqualified teacher in a school in England.
In addition, if you qualified outside the European Economic Area
(EEA), you will need:
* a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelors degree;
* a qualification equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in mathematics
and English; and
* if you intend to teach primary or Key Stage 2/3 (ages 7-14) and you
were born on or after 1 September 1979 a qualification equivalent to
GCSE grade C or above in science.?
There is a guide to qualification equivalents on the below link.

I recommend that you look in great detail the following web site -
Training and Development Agency for Schools. There you will find
detailed information on how to become a teacher in the UK.
http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/becomingateacher.aspx

These pages will be particularly relevant -
Overseas trained teacher programme
http://www.tda.gov.uk/Home/Recruit/thetrainingprocess/typesofcourse/ottp.aspx
Looking for a job
http://www.tda.gov.uk/Home/Recruit/becomingateacher/lookingforajob.aspx
FAQS page with advice.
?Schools recruit their staff on an individual basis, according to
their specific recruitment needs, just like any other employer.
There are numerous ways in which you can find your first and
subsequent teaching posts, including local and national press, the
internet and your local education authority.?
http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/faqs/becomingateacher.aspx#AE32CFE7-B0A0-4FBF-AF98-49047E0080F0

The next site is, Teaching in England. Again a very complex and
informative site designed specifically for overseas teachers.
?This site has been developed to support teachers from overseas who
have decided to work in England. It contains information about living
and teaching in England and guidance that will aid your preparation
before leaving home. It also contains support material that will help
your transition to working in an English school.  The purpose of this
site is to raise your awareness of the issues you need to consider and
to guide you to the appropriate websites that will deal in depth with
your queries.?
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachinginengland/


Question 2. How do I obtain a visa?

You need a visa to come to the UK as a teacher/teaching assistant. Go
to this link and use the drop down boxes (there?s one for teacher /
teaching assistant) and then follow the advice.
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977149962


Question 3. What are some good school districts within about a one
hour distance from London that I might apply to?

School districts are known as Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and
it very much depends on what you define as good. Good from the point
of pay? Achieving schools? Challenging teaching environment?  London
is now a multi-cultural city with many schools having pupils speaking
scores of different languages. London is also a big city and the type
of schools are very wide ranging.

I believe the above sites in question one will have given some
guidance, but these are some other sources.

Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) carry out inspections on
schools. On this map of London you can see the LEAs and drill down to
a particular school to see OFSTED reports on the school.

?Ofsted is independent of the DfES. Its purpose is to improve
standards of achievement and the quality of education through
inspection, through public reporting and through providing informed
advice. Its principal task is to inspect all state-funded schools over
a set timescale.?
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=leaByRegion&id=8

Schools are subject to Attainment Tables. You can view the tables for
each school through this page.
?DfES School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables (formerly
Performance Tables)?
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/

You can find out other information on each school  through this school
?finder?. (use the LEA names which appeared on the OFSTED map for
London).
http://www.edubase.gov.uk/EstablishmentFind.aspx


I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder
bridgetteg-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars

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