Teaching in UK - agencies?

I am in a similar position and don't know whether to go through an agency or not. There are so many of them it is hard to know which ones are good. Was reading through some posts on a facebook page about some NQTs were took the plunge and moved to the UK in 2014.

Here is what they said if it helps.

Hi guys! Just wondering about anyone who has gone to the UK this year, how are people finding it? I've just signed up with Engage this week, so if anyone has any advice it'd be much appreciated

Great but expect workload, paper work and inspections. In terms of experience it's been great.

Ye really tough. So much work. Uteach is a really good company to go through they pay your flights and help you find accommodation.

No its all helpful. By paperwork are we talking reports, lesson plans and all that? I'm only going because nothing has come up here and I never wanted to sub so yeah just for some experience...

It's really tough in our school and anyone I know that's over here is finding it tough. Like you're in school early and you don't leave until late and you still have work to do. It feels like you never leave. The kids are great the majority of the time, that's in an outstanding catholic school, I can't speak for anyone else tho! You will be so busy, but if you know you wanna be a teacher for the rest of your life then the experience is worth it! Just choose carefully and don't take a job unless you see the school! It is really supportive too - but you will be wrecked! But I suppose that's with any new job until we all get used to it! Best of luck!!

Very exhausting but I really like it! And talking to people in other schools it seems the same everywhere! I have heard some not so nice stories about engage though.. I haven't dealt with them personally so I'm not talking from experience!!

I live in a small town so it is a quiet place but the students come from all over but they are so good compared to students in Ireland, in my opinion. I originally started going with an agency but ended up going privately. That way I was able to negotiate pay/benefits etc. so you might want to look into that.

Make the move! Hard work but great experience. You will get a 10% reduced timetable as an NQT. This time enables us to ensure the NQT folder is complete! Wouldn't recommend an agency, go privately, sign the contract with the governors. Catholic schools are good, students are very conforming as opposed to non-Catholic schools! Hope this helps. Best of luck!

I would suggest going with an agency initially as they will cover the cost of flights etc. to interviews. Once you have a job and are set up in the UK you can look for work direct with a school. If you go with an agency, just double check if they are getting you a permanent job with a school, or if you will be doing supply work.

I went with Engage, I found them to be helpful, and I secured a permanent full time position through them.

In terms of the teaching and workload, yes it can be quite a shock to the system initially, and there is a lot of emphasis on data tracking and report writing. However, if you get a nice school, and a supportive department, this can make all the difference. Time management, and being smart about how you use your time is important also.

Any more questions, ask away.

Hunter gatherer wrote: »

Interactive whiteboards - obviously it may depend on the school. But I have heard they are used widely in the UK.

Is there any training involved for them or is it a case of pick it up as you go along yourself situation? I have never really had to use them.

Don't use one myself - although if you are in any way ICT literate, then you will pick it up very quickly. Ask any other teacher that uses them, and I am sure they will give you a run through.

You can use normal PowerPoint presentations on it, and it can be used as a normal white board once you use the pens that are designed for it.

Thanks for all of the information. May just be a case of trial and error. Choose an agency and go for it. Sort out any problems as and when they may occur. Better to have a tough first year than be employed in a career or job you don't want perhaps.

Would some schools have power points in a shared resource folder? Owing to the curriculum being different it would be beneficial to get resources from fellow teachers at the school (as opposed to grabbing them from tes websites etc) the day before.

I went through an agency.

What are your subjects? I could pass on your details to my school if you want if they're in an understaffed area?

To be honest depending on your subjects agencies can either be a help or a hinderance. If for example, you teach English or Maths, you'd probably be best off ringing up a bunch of different schools in the UK. tes.co.uk have plenty listed.

Academies aren't the greatest but thats where you'll probably end up with an agency anyway. They are full of young staff though so it's a lot easier to make friends than in a school back here.

Experience wise, nothing beats it. The teachers are so helpful and you will come away from it with more resources than you'll know what to do with. You do get a 10% reduction time in teaching which, my advice would be to use to go observe other teachers in your area. If I could do it all again, this would be the only thing I did different

Even if you hated it, by Christmas you would have your 300 hours done and could come home and do the Workshops there.

I originally started going with an agency but ended up going privately. That way I was able to negotiate pay/benefits etc. so you might want to look into that.

Make the move! Hard work but great experience. You will get a 10% reduced timetable as an NQT. This time enables us to ensure the NQT folder is complete! Wouldn't recommend an agency, go privately, sign the contract with the governors. Catholic schools are good, students are very conforming as opposed to non-Catholic schools! Hope this helps. Best of luck!

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Hi there, I'm currently searching for schools with Uteach at the moment for a September 2016 start. I've had a look at some schools in Essex that have got my attention! Has anyone been in the Essex area (living/working) or have had some dealings with Uteach?

Thanks in advance