Primary teaching prospects in the UK

danube

I am thinking about going back to Uni to do Primary teaching. I know there is hardly any jobs in Ireland but what about the UK? I heard a lot of newly qualified teachers get jobs over there?

Redser87

Very tough system to work in, mountains of paperwork on top of normal planning and preparation. But yes, jobs are available there, and there are plenty of agencies that do the job hunting for you if that is something that appeals to you.

danube

Redser87 wrote: »

Very tough system to work in, mountains of paperwork on top of normal planning and preparation. But yes, jobs are available there, and there are plenty of agencies that do the job hunting for you if that is something that appeals to you.

I would rather have "mountains of paperwork" than having no job at all. Would every graduate not agree?

Kathnora

I know a few teachers who have returned to Ireland with experience of teaching in the U.K. (and there are many experiences recounted on Boards too) They all talk about long days...7.30/8.00 am starts and 5.30/6.00pm finishing times..followed by taking work home! The system seems to prioritise "getting the children over the line" in terms of reaching standards and passing tests. So, the teachers end up teaching to the test and the weak children learn off the material...if they can! The curriculum is very prescribed which may suit some but it doesn't allow you to stray from it too much or be spontaneous in your teaching ( we're following that line here too in recent times!). Depending on where you teach you could have a lot of children who don't have English as their first language. Take a look at the twinkl.com Teachers Resources website. Do a search for Assessment and you'll get a flavour of the type of recording and paperwork and indeed the amount of detail that is required for Recording children's progress and test results etc. And...the record sheets are not just annual or even termly ones but they appear at the end of each Maths topic! I have had children join my class from the U.K. and they don't just come bringing a report card...they bring a book with them with analysis of every single subject in minute detail!
Ok, that's my tuppence worth. It's not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure,but if you decide to go the U.K. route you do need to know what's ahead.

juneg

danube wrote: »

I would rather have "mountains of paperwork" than having no job at all. Would every graduate not agree?

The curriculum changes every year!

No textbooks either.
From what I hear the system bears no relation to Irish primary teaching. Formal assessment of your teaching by the Principal in class 3 days a year. Formal parent teacher meeting 3 times a year. Different school terms to here. Work until 20th July.

danube

juneg wrote: »

The curriculum changes every year!

No textbooks either.
From what I hear the system bears no relation to Irish primary teaching.

Is Irish primary teaching qualifications recognised in the UK?

juneg

danube wrote: »

Is Irish primary teaching qualifications recognised in the UK?

They are crying out for Irish teachers as they cant keep or recruit their own!

ClassicE15

Have look at _Anonymous_Teacher_IRL on Instagram. She spent a few years in England and takes individual questions via direct message. Quite helpful and knowledgeable

LordSutch

danube wrote: »

Is Irish primary teaching qualifications recognised in the UK?

Depends on what region of the UK you're talking about. I'd guess that Irish primary teaching would be recognised in Northern Ireland, (although I'm not sure)? Scotland has a different education system to NI & England, and Wales has its own curriculum too, so its not as clear cut as one might think. The UK has four distinct regions, each with their own individual educational systems.