Teaching in the UK

Studentblogger

I'm a PDE student nearly finished my studies and I'm thinking of heading to the UK when I'm finished. I've briefly browsed this forum and I've read nightmare stories about agencies, schools, lesson planning, paperwork, correcting, and administration. On the other hand I came across a few posts where the person had nothing but good things to say about their agency and usually had a very positive (but challenging) experience teaching across the pond.

Wouldn't mind talking to a few people directly about it!

Louthdrog

I moved over this year, fresh out of college. Love it to be honest and would fully advise the move.

My agency is bucking useless, havnt a clue, completely out of touch, lie and use an archaic system but im moving onto a school contract soon so cant wait to see the back of them.

There is also a lot of paper work, mainly tracking students and student data. You do get used to it though and the workload becomes smaller and smaller.

However once you move past that, its great. Iv loved every minute of it and wouldnt think about moving home. I got quite lucky with my school as things are a little bit more laid back and the staff room is quite young.

Any particular questions you have let me know!

Studentblogger

Nice to hear a positive reply!

Do you mind me asking where your based (i.e. Essex, Kent, London - not specifically!)?

Do you teach English or History? I can only guess that the admin. for a subject like English can be quite intense!

Dave0301

My advice would be to use the agency as a way of getting into a job over here. After that use TES to look for permanent posts.

I am here now for nearly two years, really enjoying my time here. Find the professional development available is excellent.

There can be quite an emphasis on student data, target grades and paperwork. Time management is key, and you will find a good work life balance.

Studentblogger

What about schemes of work? Since admin, targets, etc are such a part of it, were you given a year plan or something when you started? Or is like doing the PDE all over again where you have no plan or resources when you start and you're just left to your own devices?

Dave0301

Studentblogger wrote: »

What about schemes of work? Since admin, targets, etc are such a part of it, were you given a year plan or something when you started? Or is like doing the PDE all over again where you have no plan or resources when you start and you're just left to your own devices?

Each department will have a SoW that is maintained by the department head. The detail included depends on the head. I know of some that will just plan out the content to be covered, when to teach it etc. All the way up to having specific lesson resources planned and available to you.

Studentblogger

I've talked to other people about SoW's and they've complained that it infringes on their autonomy as a teacher. I can understand this to an extent. But in my first year as an NQT I would definitely prefer if I was just given an SoW for the year and then maybe some help with resources. At least then you can focus on becoming a good teacher whilst amassing more plans and resources for the future.

I don't think I could take a another year of planning in short blocks from scratch. Imagine how difficult this would be in an entirely different curriculum!

Is there many Irish (teachers) in the schools?

Louthdrog

Studentblogger wrote: »

Nice to hear a positive reply!

Do you mind me asking where your based (i.e. Essex, Kent, London - not specifically!)?

Do you teach English or History? I can only guess that the admin. for a subject like English can be quite intense!

Im based in Surrey. Teach maths, so a core subject, and there is some admin to be done, not as much as is made out. Marking is the big thing but im quite lucky in maths that you can get the students to peer mark or self assess which does most of the work for you. English teachers seem to have a huge marking workload.

In terms of SOW, im given a year plan on what topics I should be teaching to each group at what point. It also breaks it down into what is expected for each child to be able to do to reach a certain level, which is really useful for someone like me who didnt have a clue of levels etc at first.

There is generally always another teacher in the department teaching the same topic to another group and my department is really good at collaborating and sharing resources, so its very rare I would need to plan a lesson from scratch.

Studentblogger

Did either of you go with agencies? I'm currently in touch with KS Education!

Dave0301

Studentblogger wrote: »

Did either of you go with agencies? I'm currently in touch with KS Education!

I went with an agency, but the school offered me a permanent contract straight away, so I don't have any experience with been paid via timesheets.

Like I said, an agency is the best way to get your foot in the door. They will organise interviews, and may cover travel expenses etc.

Louthdrog

Agencys are best way to go, I can imagine it would be quite difficult to arrange things otherwise! They really lose all interest in you though once you have signed and are a nightmare. The amount of bare faced lies me and my friends on an agency contract have been told is ridiculous.

Thankfully though you only have to put up with them for a few months. My school is getting me onto a permanent contract and im sure life will be a lot easier then.

Galway

Dave0301 wrote: »

My advice would be to use the agency as a way of getting into a job over here. After that use TES to look for permanent posts.

I am here now for nearly two years, really enjoying my time here. Find the professional development available is excellent.

There can be quite an emphasis on student data, target grades and paperwork. Time management is key, and you will find a good work life balance.

I spent 12 years 4 months up to spring of 2001 teaching in the UK. Good at first but the workload became intolerable. It gave my the break in the sense I had loads of experience for interviews here when I finally just had enough sold the house I had bought 7 years earlier and headed home to the west. It was the best move I ever made. I was only off May-August and had a one year job from Mid Sept in a Community School. Meanwhile I had applied to the IT in my city, was called for interview and got the job! I certainly would not have got even an interview had it not been for professional development I got in the UK which included branching out from my main subjects into ICT teaching. I would recommend the UK in the short term but the pay and conditions are abysmal. Endless meetings, paperwork, government interference, and constantly having someone looking over your shoulder. I would not go back in a fit now. God knows what the conditions are like now some 13 years later and the madcap of the Education Secretary. (Google Michael Gove before you go!) I was lucky - a nice school (state though not private) in a very affluent area with a real mix of kids socially but also had Oxbridge entrants ever year. Good for the first 7 years then I just couldn't stomach it anymore!

brónaim cád??

Don't do it. Go to the Middle East or China where you'll have an easier time and make money.

Afroshack

brónaim cád?? wrote: »

Don't do it. Go to the Middle East or China where you'll have an easier time and make money.

Oh yeah, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the money! It's fairly dire over here - living expenses anywhere near London are crazy.

Studentblogger

China and the Middle East are definitely out of the question.


I've heard mixed reviews. I've talked to Irish teachers in England who are absolutely loving it (living in Essex, Kent, and Surrey) and are managing the pressure and workload with no problems.

Then I've heard of others who just can't hack it.

Afroshack

Studentblogger wrote: »

China and the Middle East are definitely out of the question.


I've heard mixed reviews. I've talked to Irish teachers in England who are absolutely loving it (living in Essex, Kent, and Surrey) and are managing the pressure and workload with no problems.

Then I've heard of others who just can't hack it.

It depends entirely on your school and your attitude to teaching. It is VASTLY different to what schools were like when we all attended back in Ireland, and some people aren't able to adapt. The teaching itself, although be prepared, the workload is indeed exhausting. I've just done a nine hour shift in school and an additional five hours work at home. I am exhausted, and I have it all over again tomorrow. There is a reason we are going on strike on Wednesday!

LivingDeadGirl

I'm not actually qualified but having looked into it for the past year I thought I'd give my two cents. I've just accepted a training position for Secondary Music (School Direct with PGCE) in Southampton starting in September and I cannot wait. I visited the school in which I'll be training during the interview process and the facilities throughout were just incredible, and it isn't even a particularly well-funded school! There also seems to be less emphasis on rote learning and more emphasis on student creativity and actually DOING things, rather than sitting there with a teacher calling out information to the students. I can only speak for what I observed in the Music lessons I sat in on but the GCSE and A Level courses are so modern and varied. As far as I can tell the training is very intense but I'm not sure how it would compare to the HDip, especially as the Dip is now a two year course. One positive is that I'll get a bursary from the UK government to help with the costs of my training year (based upon my degree results).

Studentblogger

I've heard that from many people, and I heard English teachers (that's me) have a very heavy workload. I'm still up in the air about it to be honest. Do I stay and just PRAY I get something in Ireland, or go across the water where I have a 99% chance of getting a full time job?

Afroshack

Studentblogger wrote: »

I've heard that from many people, and I heard English teachers (that's me) have a very heavy workload. I'm still up in the air about it to be honest. Do I stay and just PRAY I get something in Ireland, or go across the water where I have a 99% chance of getting a full time job?

I was in the same dilemma last year, in the end I decided to just accept the offer of an English job and enjoy my summer then knowing I had somewhere to go in September. At least if you don't like it, you can come home pretty easily, whereas if you stayed in Ireland you would probably be waiting by the phone for weeks for a call that might never arrive.

Studentblogger

So you decided to take a job working 70 hours a week instead of staying here. I admire you!

Afroshack

Studentblogger wrote: »

So you decided to take a job working 70 hours a week instead of staying here. I admire you!

Thanks if it's any consolation it's more like 50-55 hours, and it will get easier as you get used to it!

Studentblogger

I made the mistake of reading the Guardian's Secret Teacher blog. It scared the bejesus out of me! The majority of commenters there say they're working over 60 hours a week and no work/life balance!

Studentblogger

What's the story with 'Academy' schools? I was offered an interview in one of them!

Afroshack

Studentblogger wrote: »

What's the story with 'Academy' schools? I was offered an interview in one of them!

Honestly not sure, but I think they tend to be the slightly rougher schools, although they do receive extra funding. I think the schools on Tough Young Teachers and Educating Yorkshire were academies.

Green_Zero

Studentblogger wrote: »

What's the story with 'Academy' schools? I was offered an interview in one of them!

This is a massive generalisation from my own experience but yes academies tend to be rougher schools as the previous poster said. They are usually schools that have been in special measures so they become academies and get money pumped in to improve the standards. I'm teaching in an academy in one of the roughest areas in London. It has gone from being a school in special measures 5 years ago to being a good school with outstanding features according to the ofsted last month. For a school that is "rough", we have a really good discipline policy in the school and the Heads of Year are really supportive. From what the teachers in the school say we have lots more paperwork and after-school meetings/clubs than state schools. I was asked to come in over Easter to do day long tuition with my Year 11s. I said no. They are a foundation group who are in most of the days over Easter. They have not been able work well for the last 5 years but you are expected to give up your time to try to get them to start working now. Saying no is the most important thing. I am in the school about 11 hours a day. I have colleagues who are in the school 12 hours a day and then bring marking home which I was doing for the first month or 2 but I value my sanity.
You need to take a laid back approach when you're over here. Focus on the actual teaching.
We have a massive turnover of staff and the main reason for this would be the workload.
But from speaking to the union rep in the school he says there are some academies much more extreme than ours. I've heard of academies that don't give warnings about observations and will keep observing you without warning until you have a good observation.

gubbie

I'm teaching in an academy too. We have a huge staff turnover - come September 2014, we'll have ONE teacher in the Maths department (out of 11) that will have been here for over a year... We need a minimum of 5 new full time Maths teachers next year.

I was asked to do extra time as well over Easter and completely agree with the previous poster - it sets a bad precedence.

They have not been able work well for the last 5 years but you are expected to give up your time to try to get them to start working now

I've foundation too! I swear they're expecting me to do miracles with them. They've said to me themselves though that they're not going to start revising until the week before their exams.

Getting really jealous right now that our colleagues back home only have 5 more weeks or so left of school before they're on their summer holidays

Teaching here is tough. I suppose I should have put two and two together before: Back in Ireland, it's not easy to find a job. Over here, it's pretty easy. You know why? Because no one stays. People with Maths degrees go into it with great determination which is eroded away when they realise the long hours, the lack of respect and the awful pay that they get.

I'd never encourage a friend to come here.

Afroshack

I gave myself the two weeks of Easter off and now I feel tremendously guilty for not working. I'm tired of feeling guilty for putting the work away for any amount of time, but Green Zero is spot on. Value your sanity.

edeldonlon

I have been teaching in the uk for 5 years. My school is currently looking for 4 teachers for the next academic year ( maths, science, English & ICT)

I will be in Ireland next week meeting potential teachers and having drops in sessions with people about teaching in the uk.

If anybody would like any info about the jobs etc please just send me a PM

I would advise to apply direct to the schools and stay away from the agencies. They are only after the money.

billythepub

Studentblogger wrote: »

I've heard that from many people, and I heard English teachers (that's me) have a very heavy workload. I'm still up in the air about it to be honest. Do I stay and just PRAY I get something in Ireland, or go across the water where I have a 99% chance of getting a full time job?

i teach english here and from a personal point of view i'd say no-don't come here. It really is not a good job, the behaviour and support is poor.

mel84

Hey EdelDonlon

I don't think your comment about agencies is fair- you cannot generalise. My good friend is managing an agency in Ireland and they only have permanent posts where teachers are taken on by schools- they get a one off fee from the school after getting the teacher a post in a school that they want to be in! its really not fair to generalise... and I can guarantee that you are making money out of 'recruiting' teachers directly for your school, no? !!!!!

mel84

edeldonlon wrote: »

I have been teaching in the uk for 5 years. My school is currently looking for 4 teachers for the next academic year ( maths, science, English & ICT)

I will be in Ireland next week meeting potential teachers and having drops in sessions with people about teaching in the uk.

If anybody would like any info about the jobs etc please just send me a PM

I would advise to apply direct to the schools and stay away from the agencies. They are only after the money.

-Eh and your school _< Mod Snip> is an absolute **ITHOLE by the way! You must be getting something out of 'recruiting' for them???? Be warned people- I know 2 girls that worked there and ran out of the place!!!!!!

MissSilly

Hi Guys

Im the same as StudentBlogger.. Just finished my PDE in Business.. Jobs here seem few and far between.. UK agencies are emailing every day with interviews set up.. I havent taken them up on any yet but I am thinking about flying over for one and seeing if its not as bad as I think it will be.. I qualified business and ICT teacher.. Is there much paper work in these do people know? Also can someone put a figure on the weekly wage of an NQT in the UK?

Afroshack

MissSilly wrote: »

Hi Guys

Im the same as StudentBlogger.. Just finished my PDE in Business.. Jobs here seem few and far between.. UK agencies are emailing every day with interviews set up.. I havent taken them up on any yet but I am thinking about flying over for one and seeing if its not as bad as I think it will be.. I qualified business and ICT teacher.. Is there much paper work in these do people know? Also can someone put a figure on the weekly wage of an NQT in the UK?

It depends entirely on the school. I would suggest you go over to a few schools and ask them outright exactly what kind of paperwork is expected. The agencies won't give you a straight answer as they are being paid to source people like you. (some agencies, however, will pay your flights and accommodation for interviews so use this opportunity)

The paperwork can be intense but it usually falls on you one week per month or per half-term (when you are updating coursework results and reports) It won't be something you have every single day although planning lessons can take some time until you are more settled. (I can still take one night off work altogether every week)

Money-wise, expect to take home roughly 370-430 per week depending on your contract, holiday pay and agency fees.

Go check out some schools, don't be afraid to ask questions and don't go with the first school to offer you work.

scoopmine

I took a school in Tunbridge Wells in Kent. If anyone has any tips or advice I'd appreciate it!

allic

are there any food tech/textiles teachers working in the uk on here? I would be interested in chatting to you!

Fitzo

Like everyone here, no idea what to do. Exasperated looking for jobs here, and from talking to the agencies I'll walk into jobs over there.

I'm not so much fearful about the workload over there, I'll hack that for a year, but more so the pay after agency fees etc. and getting a job back here. If I'm out of the system here am I making a mountain for myself?

Afroshack

Fitzo wrote: »

Like everyone here, no idea what to do. Exasperated looking for jobs here, and from talking to the agencies I'll walk into jobs over there.

I'm not so much fearful about the workload over there, I'll hack that for a year, but more so the pay after agency fees etc. and getting a job back here. If I'm out of the system here am I making a mountain for myself?

I would have thought the opposite tbh. As tiring as it is, teaching here has honestly taught me so much about ICT, AFL, differentiation, literacy issues and so on. There's always so much more promotional opportunity too, which looks great on a CV!

Dave0301

Afroshack wrote: »

I would have thought the opposite tbh. As tiring as it is, teaching here has honestly taught me so much about ICT, AFL, differentiation, literacy issues and so on. There's always so much more promotional opportunity too, which looks great on a CV!

Would echo this sentiment, the full on work load can be a shock to the system initially, but once you manage your time effectively, there are a lot of opportunities for professional development.

MissSilly

Well folks went to 2 schools Tues and Wed. 2 full day interviews 1 in kent and one in east london! Taking the position in Kent as 2 of my friends have found schools in Kent also there are 7 other Irish teachers in the school and they were so helpful when we were there. The Head teacher seems sound out. There will be a few discipline problems in the school but willing to take the chance.

ruahead

I've taught in the UK for three years. This Friday is my last day. I'm leaving the profession. Reasons are workload and behaviour. I've no idea what its like in Ireland but I wouldn't recommend teaching to anyone.

Teach2014

I worked with an agency in Bristol who were really helpful and personal, I would recommend going over if you need to get your induction year done-you get lots of NQT time, almost 20% of the timetable is off for you to plan prepare and assess.