Overseas Teacher Blog

• Where to live? London Feature

  The most popular destination for our teachers is London so I’ve done a break down so those of you who are coming to London so you know more about what to expect and where to start your research.  Perhaps this might make London a little less scary for others!  London doesn’t suit everyone, so please remember Teaching Personnel is a nationwide agency! We can help you secure work in ANY of our 23 branches, but for those of you unsure of where to choose, we can also guide you on suitable places to live, with good public transport links and plentiful amounts of work! Check out information about all of our branches by following the map link on the website www.teachingintheuk.com Staff from Teaching Personnel’s 4 London Offices offer the following recommendations: LONDON BRIDGE: THE NORTH and EAST of LONDON For anyone looking to live in a trendy and fashionable part of London then Islington is the place for you. Located 10 mins north of Central London on the Northern line, Islington displays a thriving haven for shoppers, theatre-goers and diners alike. Its close to the financial part heart of the City and the West End, and yet it retains its own identity and sense of pride. As you’d expect from a cutting edge multicultural community, there are leading theatres, arthouse and mainstream cinemas and restaurants, bars and clubs that cater for all tastes. If you are looking to live somewhere more affordable then the South East of London is becoming a popular place to live amongst our overseas teachers. The South East has become one of the best connected places in London, with quick and easy access in to central London. It’s cheaper than most other areas to live, and with the region benefiting from the Olympics funding to refurbish the area, it has become a popular area for workers looking for affordable rent prices. I would recommend Greenwich and Lewisham: Greenwich itself is home to one of England’s top Universities, hence it being popular for singles and young couples to live. There are many bars and restaurants to choose from to wind down and meet new people, and with the new O2 arena (formerly known as the Millennium Dome) drawing in the crowds to see all the top music artists from around the world, and screening all the latest films in its new cinema complex, there is something to choose for everyone. Lewisham can offer as much peace and quiet or hustle and bustle, as you want. It all depends where you look. Lewisham is at the centre of south London, neighbouring Lambeth, Greenwich and Southwark and providing quick access to the clubs of Brixton, bars of Clapham and the Tate Modern. Lewisham itself is now touted as 'up and coming', with a growing number of bars, pubs, clubs and other leisure facilities. There are numerous train and bus routes throughout the borough, running directly into central London - to Charring Cross, Cannon Street, Waterloo, London Bridge and Victoria. It takes around ten minutes from Lewisham's town centre to London Bridge. Night buses also run throughout the small hours from the centre. EALING: WEST LONDON Covering the majority of Greater West London the Ealing branch of Teaching Personnel is ideally situated to cater for its catchment area of schools.  Incorporating the Borough's of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hounslow, Brent and Hillingdon, Teaching Personnel offers day-to-day supply work through to permanent placements at the 708 schools that fall in its boundaries. The Ealing branch is in public-private partnership with Ealing and Houslow council’s with these two ‘LEA Gateway Agreements' providing schools an efficient and rapid response teacher absence solutions.  These agreements also mean even more work for teachers in these areas. Large numbers of overseas teachers find a home around the Acton and Fulham areas, no doubt to maintain proximity to their local drinking haunts of 'The Redback' - in Acton and 'The Slug and Lettuce' - in Fulham, places that have become synonymous with being an Australian, New Zealand, South African or Canadian traveller living in London.  On a healthier note Chelsea Football ground is around the corner from the Slug and Lettuce.  The new Wembley stadium in Brent is nearby (Football's birthplace reborn).  With easy access to Twickenham Rugby ground, Wimbledon and Central London, Ealing is a tried, tested and popular destination for those travellers looking for a new experience while maintaining home connections with like-minded individuals. WIMBLEDON: THE SOUTH of LONDON The South West of London is a popular place for South African’s, Australias and New Zealanders! This “antipodean belt” consists of the following areas: Clapham (North / South and Clapham Common and Clapham Junction), Putney, Fulham, Wimbledon and Southfields. Wimbledon is located in southwest London, approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles) away from central London.  You’ll know Wimbledon because of the famous tennis tournament every June.  Frequent trains run to Waterloo Station, (journey time 15 minutes) which is very near to central London and adjacent to the Eurostar terminal for onward bound trains to Paris, Brussels and other European cities.  The cloest airport is London Gatwick.  Wimbledon is a lively town centre with a great shopping centre, "Centre Court". Favourite Antipodean hangouts include the Walkabout bar and Suburban, a small but friendly Cocktail bar. If you prefer a quieter life, Wimbledon Village is the "classy" end of Wimbledon with kooky boutique shops, organic coffee shops and great Italian restaurants. Neighboring Clapham is really popular for a night out - Clapham High Street is home to cheesy discos planning retro classics, Revolution vodka bar and loads of great eateries.Clapham has tube links along the Northern line and Clapham Junction Overland train is quick and convenient.  Putney is home to a more relaxed pace of life - ideal for a riverside stroll or meal overlooking the Thames. However, Putney also has its own high street with a reasonable range of shops - and the obligatory Starbucks!  Putney has advantages of having both tube and overland train links, Wimbledon also has fantastic access to public transport.  These areas are busy, lively, safe and with excellent acess to shops and supermarkets.    Two More Great Websites with a PostCode Map of London, descriptions and photos from suberbs all over the city, check out! http://www.livinginlondon.net http://www.stuckinlondon.com/londonareaguide   Teaching Personnel’s International Team are always happy to answer any questions about where to live from our own personal experiences and those of our teachers.  Email us on info@teachingintheuk.com      posted Wednesday, July 02, 2008 3:00 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• TP Continuity - Part of the TP service to schools and teachers

  Continuous Professional Development Keeping abreast of the latest developments in teaching theory and practice will help you to deliver the best in the classroom.  But as a supply teacher, you often miss out on the training that is available to full-time teachers.  Our face-to-face and distance learning courses run in conjunction with the Institute of Education and our own team of experts gives you access to high quality training - completely free of charge.  We will tell you more about this upon your arrival in the UK and you will regularly receive invitations to training courses local to you.   TP Continuity Working on supply, moving from school to school, for extended periods of time can make it hard to build up hard evidence of your professional achievements.  This also applies when you come to the UK and work as a temporary teacher.  Teaching Personnel has pioneered a scheme that provides teachers with documentary evidence of their achievements.  This "Professional Development Portfolio" is built up of CPD course certificates and classroom observations in which you have worked. Classroom observations form part of our TP Continuity Scheme.  After working twenty days at the same school within a four-month period, you become a continuity teacher for that school.  Teaching Personnel sends our classroom observation pack to the supply cover manager of the school.  With their agreement, a senior member of teaching staff within the school will carry out an observation of your teaching at a time agreed with you. The results of the observations are entered into a professional observations document of which you will receive a copy.  This can be added to your professional development portfolio and provides you with documentary evidence of your professional achievements.  This can aid with your smooth transition back to permanent work upon your return to your home country or into a long-term position with another Teaching Personnel school.   If you want to know more just email us on info@teachingintheuk.com   posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:00 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• What teachers have to say about Teaching Personnel!!!!!

  "I decided to get in touch with Teaching Personnel because I was having such a hard time getting teaching jobs in Canada.  A friend was in the UK and had put me in touch with my consultant Kathy.  Kathy was excellent at helping find work right away and I was lucky enough to get a contract position for the summer term right away.  She has been especially helpful at helping me sort out all the paperwork and logistics that I wouldn't have been able to do myself otherwise.  Originally I had only wanted to teach in London for a few months, but I am loving it so much that I have no plans to leave for at least the next year." By Jessica M.   "I was in my final year at Adelaide University, South Australia when two Teaching Personnel representatives (Kathy and Caroline) did a presentation of what the UK and TP had to offer new teachers. I left the presentation inspired about where I could go once I graduated.  Kathy kept in contact with me, accommodating any changes of plans that I had.  She came back and visited my Uni again the following year and we caught up for dinner, just a part of TP's personal approach I guess! When I finally set a date to come to the UK, it was less than 4 weeks until she had found me a job. I had a phone interview with the school and they accepted me on the spot. The school even found me accommodation so I had a job and a home before I'd even left Australia! Since then I have worked more than 100 days in the UK" By Emily N     posted Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:00 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• What is the DCFS Quality Mark?

  Teaching Personnel are proud holders of the DCFS Quality Mark.  So let us tell you a bit more about what this means.  Quality Mark England Supply teachers make an important contribution to the smooth running of  schools and the raising of standards.The Government values their contribution and wants to ensure they are recruited and managed well, to allow them to give their best to schools. The Quality Mark was launched in July 2002, as a joint initiative between the Department for Education and Skills and Recruitment and Employment Confederation to help drive up standards for everyone in the sector. The Quality Mark sets minimum standards for agencies and LEAs to reach in areas such as the way they recruit and interview supply teachers, the way they check and manage their performance and the way they stay at the forefront of changes in the teaching sector. Maintaining standards in education recruitment is vital and the benefits of the Quality Mark to LEAs, agencies, supply teachers and the schools that they service are immense. Schools and teachers deserve high quality agencies and this scheme will help both schools and teachers be more confident about the agencies they use. It will give increased confidence to schools, parents and pupils that staff supplied through agencies are recruited properly and have ongoing support. For agencies and LEAs it will provide both assurance and official recognition that the highest standards of recruitment practice are being adhered to; and Teachers will be confident that they have selected an accredited and reputable service that will add value to their experience as supply teachers. The main objectives of the Quality mark are: To recognise private sector supply agencies and LEAs who are able to demonstrate that they meet standards of good practice in managing and providing supply teachers for schools To enable schools and temporary teachers to feel confident about the quality of the agencies and LEAs with whom they are dealing To raise the standard and status of supply teaching; and To recognize the contributions made by supply teachers, agencies and LEAs in supporting schools. The Process All LEAs and agencies (operationally trading for at least one year) which supply schools with temporary teachers in England are eligible to apply. They will be required to submit detailed evidence to show they are able to meet the required standards by means of a policy document, internal processes and procedures and documentation in support of these processes. To ensure compliance with each standard there is a rigorous inspection process in place, including an audit, supported by detailed exception reporting to applicants. The REC require a high level of detail and understanding of their operation in order to be sufficiently certain that the written evidence that has been provided is compliant with the required standards.   For more information about Teaching Personnel contact us on info@teachingintheuk.com   posted Wednesday, June 11, 2008 1:02 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• What is an Ofsted?

  Ofsted – a valuable resource for teachers.  Check out this website to fing out more about any school you are considering working at.  Read on to find out a bit more about Ofsted. Check out the Ofsted Website www.ofsted.gov.uk The new Ofsted – the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills – came into being on 1 April 2007. It brings together the wide experience of four formerly separate inspectorates. It will inspect and regulate care for children and young people, and inspect education and training for learners of all ages. Ofsted aims to raise aspirations and contribute to the long term achievement of ambitious standards and better life chances for service users. Their educational, economic and social well-being will in turn promote England's national success. To achieve this they report fairly and truthfully; listen to service users and providers; and communicate our findings with all who share this vision, from service providers to policy-makers. Ofsted do not report to government ministers but directly to Parliament (and to the Lord Chancellor about children and family courts administration). This independence means impartial information. The Education and Inspections Act, which established the new Ofsted, specifically requires they: promote service improvement ensure services focus on the interests of their users see that services are efficient, effective and promote value for money. Ofsted carry out hundreds of inspections and regulatory visits each week, publishing our findings within the Inspection reports area of their website. Themed and subject specific findings and recommendations on wider issues within the care, learning, and skills agenda, as well as statistical information, can be found in the Publications and research area. You can find more detailed explanations of which services are inspected and regulated, and how, and the latest guidance documents in the Forms and guidance area.   If you would like more information about Teaching in the UK!!! Please contact Teaching Personnel on info@teachingpersonnel.com or REGISTER on www.teachingintheuk.com         posted Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:00 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• Overseas Trained Teachers - 4 Years Rule

  Overseas-trained teachers (OTTs) are a strong feature of schools in England, particularly schools in London, other large cities and the south-east. Most schools welcome the fresh perspectives OTTs bring to the teaching staff, their professionalism and the opportunity they provide for students to meet someone with a different life experience. Since 2001, OTTs have been permitted to teach in the UK for four calendar years without gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK.  QTS is compulsory for teachers in the UK and is awarded on the basis that a teacher has met a number of specified professional standards.   This 4 year ‘exemption’ has enabled many overseas teachers to be able to teach in the UK without the need for additional assessment.   4 Year Rule The four year rule for OTTs states that you can teach for up to four years before you have to be awarded QTS. The four year ‘clock’ starts from the first day that you teach in a mainstream school in England, and includes any time out of service. Up until 2007, there was a ‘loophole’ within the four year rule. This loophole allowed OTTs to continue working after the 4 year deadline if they were on an employment based route to QTS (ie working in a school to gain QTS as opposed to university). This loophole was closed by the government last year  as part of new regulations put in place and so the 4 year rule is now absolute. Any OTTs that were on an employment based route at the time of the new regulations, will have up until August 2008 to complete their programme.   From 1 September 2008, OTTs who have not obtained QTS within four years will not be allowed to continue teaching even if they are undertaking employment based training leading to QTS.  So what happens if you are over the four year limit? If you wish to continue working as a teacher in the UK, you will need to complete a programme such as a flexible Post Graduate Certificate in Education to gain QTS, or gain employment in an independent school to continue teaching. The overseas teachers helpline run by the Training and Development agency can provide  more assistance on this if required on 01245 454321 Alternatively, you will be able to work as an ‘unqualified teacher’ or Instructor in UK schools but this may make it more difficult to secure a permanent position.  If a school is unable to fill a vacancy, it is possible to advertise it as an instructor role.  Headteachers who wish to employ OTTs who have not obtained QTS within four years as instructors, may do so providing they satisfy the statutory requirements for employing instructors - namely that there is no qualified teacher (or person on employment based training) available to fill it.       posted Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:29 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• NEW 14 – 19 Diplomas

  From September 2008, a new Diploma qualification is being introduced in schools in England. What are Diplomas? They are a vocational learning programme which schools will run in partnership with other schools, colleges, businesses and local work partnerships. The Diploma will consist of a new formula of blended learning – combining vocational on-the-job training with traditional academic study. There are four levels of Diploma - Foundation, Higher, Advanced and Progression. A Foundation Diploma is worth five GCSEs grades D to G; a Higher Diploma is worth seven GCSEs grades A* to C; an Advanced Diploma is worth three-and-a-half A levels and an A Level 3 ‘Progression’ Diploma, equivalent in size to 2.5 A-levels, How do they work? Each Diploma is structured on six core elements. These include: 1.       Generic Learning: takes up 60% of the learner’s time reflecting a familiar but stripped down staturory National curriculum of GCSE English, Maths, Science, ICT, PE, RE, Citizenship and PSHE. 2.       Principal Learning: this will take up 40% of the learner’s time and will be specific learning for the diploma subject ie construction. 3.       Additional and Specialist Learning: this could include complimentary qualifications such as a BTEC or a GCSE 4.       Personal Learning and thinking skills: these are to be embedded throughout all of the other areas and have been broken down into: §  Independent enquirers §  Creative thinkers §  Team workers §  Self managers §  Effective participators §  Reflective learners 5.       Functional skills in Maths, English and ICT: these skills are expected to be embedded in the generic and principla learning stages of the Diploma. Achievement in all five areas identified above will be required to be awarded with a Diploma. Many schools may not have facilities on site to deliver aspects of Diplomas so they are expected to work in collaboration with other orgnisations, businesses and educational institutes in the local area to facilitate the delivery of the Diploma. Many schools may have to share a timetable with other schools to deliver the Diploma programme. What subjects will the Diplomas cover? There will be 14 Diplomas, launching from 2008 to 2011. The first phase of Diplomas running from September 2008 will be in: -          Construction and the Built Environment -          Creative and Media -          Engineering -          Information Communication Technology -          Society Health and Development In September 2009 additional Diploma subjects will be introduced including:  -          Hair and Beauty Studies -          Business Administration and Finance -          Hospitality -          Manufacturing and product design -          Environmental and Land Based Studies Will they replace GCSEs / BTECs / or A–Levels? They do not replace any existing qualifications but have been created to provide a vocational and practical alternative for traditional qualifications.  Which schools can offer Diplomas? To offer a Diploma a school or other education institution must undergo a detailed application process which is known as the Gateway. Schools must apply as a consortium in partnerships with other schools, colleges and/or educational institutions.  The first round of successful applicants was announced in April 2007 and 144 consortia were approved to deliver the Diploma from September 2008. 72% of secondary schools and 88% of colleges will offer Diplomas from September 2009. No independent schools are offering the Diploma qualification as yet.  Is the Diploma the same as the International Baccalaureate? The Diploma is a different qualification to the International Baccalaureate. The International Baccalaureate is offered as an equivalent to A Levels in colleges and schools. Funding for Diplomas All schools received an extra £1000 of funding for every pupil that is undertaking a Diploma.  Training for Teachers and Staff Staff will be trained on the new Diplomas via INSET training in schools. New teaching graduates will cover the Diploma framework as part of their teaching qualification. For further details on the new Diploma please visit www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19       posted Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:00 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• New secondary national curriculum launched by the QCA

  The new secondary national curriculum follows the first major curriculum review since 2000, launched for consultation by the QCA in February. It will come into force from September 2008. The new programmes of study have been designed to give teachers a less prescriptive, more flexible framework for teaching, meeting more easily the needs of individual students. Announced by Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, the new curriculum will free up around a quarter of the school day to enable teachers to give more help to pupils struggling to master the basics in English and Maths, while stretching high achievers and reducing duplication in the curriculum. The curriculum is designed to raise standards across the board and prepare pupils for the demands of today's world, teaching them skills such as financial capability and economically useful languages. Yet the classic components of the curriculum that have stood the test of time will remain — elements such as algebra, historic dates and the World Wars. The programmes of study will be laid before Parliament and schools will receive these programmes of study in September 2007 for teaching from September 2008. The new secondary curriculum website will be launched in September. There will then be a three-year period from 2008 to 2010 for schools to implement the new programmes of study.   For more information check out the website www.teachernet.co.uk or contact Teaching Personnel on info@teachingintheuk.com posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:00 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• Teaching Personnel's Specialist International Team!

  Teaching Personnel's International Recruitment Team complements the existing service offered by our nationwide branch network.  Our comprehensive network and outstanding reputation enables us to offer a range of work to suits your preferences (daily supply, short or long term appointments).  Jackie, Kathy, Rachael, Peter and Clare are REC qualified Recruitment Consultants and Peter and Rachael are both ex-teachers from Australia.  They have expert knowledge about the recruitment process, the supply teacher market and first hand experience of moving to the UK from Australia and New Zealand.  These specialist consultants are responsible for representing you to the schools in areas you want to live, to help you prepare before your departure, to help secure your first position in the UK (by a telephone interview if needs be) and to help you settle into life and teaching in the UK upon your arrival.  Teachers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa are recognised by UK schools for not only having comparable qualifications to UK QTS, but also for bringing real value to the UK education system.  This is why we make such an effort to help so many teachers come over to the UK. Would you like to know more about living and working in the UK?  Please Register today or email us on info@teachingintheuk.com posted Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:11 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• Introducing Rachael, Our New International Team Member!

  Hi everyone! I'm the newest Aussie recruitment consultant to join the international team. I'm a qualified teacher who has taught in both Australia and the UK and has first hand experience of the excitement and details of picking up your life and relocating to the UK. I'm excited to meet you all and look forward to helping you on your adventures to the UK! A Brief Background about Rachael! Rachael graduated from Newcastle University in 2005 with a Bachelor Teaching/Bachelor Design and Technology specialising in Technology, Food Technology, Textiles and Hospitality. Rachael was offered her first permanent teaching position in Western Sydney and taught for a period of two years in Australia. Rachael always wanted to travel and work and teaching was the perfect profession in order for her to do this. Rachael left Sydney in January this year to travel and work in the UK. On the way over she travelled to Singapore, Thailand and then did a 16 day contiki tour of Europe. On arrival back in the UK she was placed in a school in Surrey (on the outskirts of London) and commenced work four days after arriving back into London. Rachael worked for a term in this school and then fell into the arms of Teaching Personnel!   To speak to any of Teaching Personnel’s specialist International Recruitment Team register on the homepage of www.teachingintheuk.com or email info@teachingpersonnel.com     posted Monday, April 21, 2008 3:43 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• Continuous Professional Development

  Teaching Personnel offer a comprehensive free CPD package for all supply staff throughout the UK. This provision is made up of a number of different genres including face to face courses, distance learning courses, school observations, teacher forums and an online resource centre. Our face to face courses can be booked online or with your consultant at your local branch. Courses titles include the following: ● Literacy in the Primary School ● Numeracy in the Primary School ● Cultural Diversity ● Planning and Assessment KS1 and KS2 ● Planning and Assessment KS3 ● Problem solving and reasoning in maths at KS1 and KS2 ● Maths components for secondary school teachers ● Essential strategies in behaviour management ● Introduction to SEN ● Effective Teaching in the Secondary Classroom ● Effective strategies for working with Black and Ethnic Minority pupils ● Induction ● Overseas Trained Teacher Induction (for teachers new to the UK) ● Circle Time ● Brain Gym Our range of distance learning materials include: ● ICT across the curriculum ● Literacy Strategy ● Numeracy Strategy ● Behaviour Management ● Classroom Management   The frequency and location of all training courses mean that all supply staff have access to training on a regular basis. Training details are communicated to you through the following mediums:        ● our website www.teachingpersonnel.com  ● automated text messages regarding courses specific to your area and specialisms.       ● our termly teacher newsletters include details of our training provision       ● through regular contact calls with local branch consultants In addition to this our website www.teachingpersonnel.com has a resource centre which is accessible to all supply staff. This resource centre has downloadable lesson plans and worksheets available in a wide variety of subjects in all key stages, proforma lesson plans and communication sheets and other useful educational websites. Teacher Forums Our teacher forums are a recent addition to our CPD programme and provide a useful way for you to share best practice with your colleagues, meet with other supply teachers, meet with the branch and to discuss relevant educational topics. Again you can find out more about these forums through your local branch. Overseas Trained Teacher Orientation Evenings A specialised orientation evening will be held at your local branch specifically for overseas teachers new to the UK. This induction evening will look at the most important factors in assisting your integration into the UK school system and will allow you to meet with other colleagues in a similar situation. These events will be held on a regular basis at the branch and are combined with a drinks evening so you can get to know your local consultants and other local overseas teachers. Ask at branch for more information.    For more informaton abotu any of the services offered by Teaching Personnel please contact us by email and we can arrange to call you! Email info@teachingintheuk.com           posted Wednesday, April 02, 2008 3:40 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• New Photos Uploaded

  Teaching Personnel's Recruitment Consultants regularly enjoy the opportunity to socialise with our International Teachers, photos from the last few months of social events are now updated, check out the link on the homepage of www.teachingintheuk.com This is but part of the service offered by Teaching Personnel's International Department, who facilitate the opportunity for teachers to meet their local consultants, this does happen most frequently in London but we have teachers and smaller social networks happening throughout the country.  Teaching Personnel’s International Recruitment Team complements the existing service offered by our nationwide branch network.  Our comprehensive network and outstanding reputation enables us to offer a range of work to suits your preferences.  Jackie, Kathy, Peter and Clare are all REC qualified Recruitment Consultants and Peter is an ex-teacher from Australia.  They have expert knowledge about the recruitment process, the supply teacher market and first hand experience of moving to the UK from Australia and New Zealand.  These specialist consultants are responsible for representing you to the schools in areas you want to live, to help you prepare before your departure, to help secure your first position in the UK (by a telephone interview if needs be) and to help you settle into life and teaching in the UK upon your arrival.  The International Recruitment Department regularly recruits teacher from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.  We have visited Australia over the last few years to present at universities and career fairs to share our knowledge and enable you to actually meet the consultants who will be finding you work in the UK.  Teachers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa are recognised by UK schools for not only having comparable qualifications to UK QTS, but also for bringing real value to the UK education system.  This is why we make such an effort to help so many teachers come over to the UK. Contact us for more information on +44 (0) 207 0969934 or by email on info@teachingintheuk.com posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:14 AM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• Tests and Examinations

  At the end of key stages 1-3 English, Maths and Science (science from KS2) are tested formally by National Tests called SATs (Standard Attainment Tests). All the other subjects are teacher-assessed. Between the ages of 14-16 (key stage 4)  – students study for the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in English, maths and science and a choice of other subjects. Assessment combines formal exams at age 16 and coursework. From 16-18 students can take Advanced Subsidiary (AS levels) - academic style courses in a wide range of subjects often leading to university entrance or General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ) which are more technical or practical vocational qualifications in subjects such as Leisure and Tourism or Business Studies. Initiatives Inclusion The government is committed to promoting inclusion in all schools. Where parents want a mainstream setting for their child with special educational needs, the policy is to try and provide it. Equally, where specialist provision is sought, it is important and right that parents’ wishes are respected. The key objective is to safeguard the interests of all children and to ensure they achieve their full potential. Numeracy and Literacy The government has put in place two strategies designed to raise standards in all primary schools in England. Frameworks for teaching literacy and mathematics have been published to support these strategies.  Two hours per day have been dedicated to working on these areas and it is compulsory. Workforce Strategy The government has introduced a workforce strategy for employed teachers to ensure they have a good work life balance. This strategy includes a 38-hour limit per year for covering other staff and 10% of timetables teaching time to be set aside for planning, preparation and assessment of lessons (PPA time).   For more information about Teaching in the UK contact Teaching Personnel's dedicated International Team on info@teachingintheuk.com         posted Wednesday, March 19, 2008 4:12 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• The National Curriculum in England and Wales

  In England there is a National Curriculum for all state educated pupils.  It sets out a clear, full and statutory entitlement to learning for all pupils. It determines the content of what will be taught, and sets attainment targets for learning. It also determines how performance will be assessed and reported. From September 2002, the National Curriculum has included citizenship as part of the statutory curriculum for secondary schools. In the late 1990s, the Government launched National Numeracy and Literacy strategies. The aim of these strategies is to raise standards of primary school pupils in these key skill areas.   If you intend to teach primary school pupils you will need to ensure that you are familiar with the requirements of the strategies. The curriculum defines four 'key stages', and ten statutory subjects: key stage 1: up to age seven (school year group 1, 2) key stage 2: seven to eleven  (school year groups 3,4,5,6) key stage 3: eleven to fourteen (school year groups 7,8,9) key stage 4: fourteen to sixteen (school year groups 10,11) Key stages one and two are the primary phase, and key stages three and four constitute the secondary phase. There are three 'core' subjects, which are: English Mathematics Science (in Wales Welsh is a core subject in Welsh speaking schools). There are seven other 'foundation' subjects which are: Design Technology History Geography Music Art and Design Physical Education a Modern Foreign Language – French, Spanish, German, Italian ICT Citizenship in Wales (Welsh is a foundation subject in non-Welsh speaking schools). All children in key stages one to three must study the first nine of these subjects. In key stage three, they must also study a modern foreign language. Pupils aged fourteen to sixteen must study the core subjects, technology, a modern foreign language and physical education, plus either history or geography or short courses in both. For more information please visit the National Curriculum online at www.nc.uk.net or the National Curriculum in Wales online at www.accac.org.uk   Programmes of Study Programmes of study set out what pupils should be taught in each subject at each key stage, and provide the basis for planning schemes of work. In each subject, in each key stage, the PoS sets out the following: Knowledge, Skills and Understanding – what has to be taught Breadth of Study – contexts, activities, areas of study and range of experiences through which the knowledge, skills and understanding should be taught. Attainment Targets An attainment target sets out the ‘Knowledge, skills and understanding which pupils of different abilities and maturities are expected to have by the end of each key stage’. The attainment targets consist of level descriptors of increasing difficulty, plus an additional description for exceptional performance. Each level description describes the types and range of performance that pupils working at that level should characteristically demonstrate. The descriptions provide the basis for making judgements about pupils’ performance at the end of key stages 1, 2 and 3. At KS4, national qualifications are the main way of assessing attainment in NC subjects.   To find out information about your own specialist subject and the requirements of the National Curriculum in this area, please visit the National Curriculum website at www.nc.uk.net   posted Wednesday, March 12, 2008 5:32 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments

• The structure of the English school system

  In England children must attend school from the age of 5 to 16 and many extend their education to 18 before entering university or college. From the age of 5 to 11, children attend primary schools and at 11 they then transfer to secondary schools.  The structure of the education system in the UK has changed considerably over the last few years, reflecting the Government's aims to improve quality, increase diversity and make institutions more accountable to students, parents, employers and taxpayers. Primary   Pre-school education is available for ages two to four/five through playgroups and nursery schools. The emphasis is on group work, creative activity and guided play. Compulsory education begins at five in England and Wales. At primary level, there is little or no specialist subject teaching and there is great emphasis on Literacy (English) and Numeracy. Secondary Compulsory education ends at age sixteen, though many pupils stay on beyond the minimum leaving age. The majority of state secondary school pupils in England and Wales attend comprehensive schools. These provide a wide range of secondary education for most children of all abilities from a particular district, in the eleven to eighteen age ranges.  At secondary school, teachers teach specialist subjects in addition to many cross curricular subjects such as Literacy, Numeracy, Citizenship, ICT and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).   Schools in England and Wales  Working hours in schools are from approximately 8.30am to 4pm, with an average of at least one hour for after-school meetings per week. These hours do not include time for lesson preparation and marking. School Categories Nursery Schools, 3-4 year olds Infant Schools, Reception classes for 4-5 year olds, Infant classes for 5-7 year olds (KS1).  Most Infant schools also have a Nursery class Junior Schools, Junior classes for 8-11 year olds (KS2) Primary Schools, Infant and Junior classes within the one school Secondary Schools, 11-16 year olds (can cater for up to 18 years old) (KS3 / KS4) Sixth Form Colleges, 16-18 year olds Special Schools, Pupils who have special educational needs PRU, Pupil Referral Units for excluded pupils   Structure of the school year Most schools operate on a 39 week school year broken into three terms starting in September and finishing in July. Each term is made up of approximately 13 teaching weeks with a ‘half term’ break of one week after 6 weeks. Terms Autumn Term: First week in September to third week in December Spring Term: First week of January until Easter Summer Term: Two weeks after Easter until third week in July.   The usual pattern for school holidays is two weeks at Christmas, two weeks at Easter and six weeks in the summer.   Structure of the school day Primary School All schools have control over the structure of their own school day although most will finish at 3.30pm.  The statutory Literacy Hour and Numeracy Hour will be a feature of all school timetables.  The example below illustrates what you will typically find in a primary school. Teaching Personnel consultants will be able to provide you with further details of the exact timetable in your assigned school for long term placements. 9.00am                        Registration 9.10am                        School Assembly 9.30am                        Literacy Hour 10.30am                      Breaktime 10.45am                      Numeracy Hour 11.45am                      Subject class 12.15pm                      Lunch 13.30pm                      Afternoon Registration 13.35pm                      Classes 14.45pm                      Breaktime 15.00pm                      Classes 15.30pm                      End of school day   Secondary School A typical day is shown below.  However, there is much variation within secondary schools and you will need to speak to your consultant to obtain timetable information for schools.  Some secondary schools operate a two-week timetable, which means that if you are in the school for more than one week you may not be teaching the same class at the same period each week. 09.00am                                Registration 09.20am                                  Period 1 10.00am                                  Period 2 10.40am                                  Break 11.00am                                  Period 3 11.40am                                  Period 4 12.20pm                                  Lunch 13.20pm                                  Registration 13.40pm                                  Period 5 14.20pm                                  Period 6 15.00pm                                  Period 7 15.40pm                                  School ends   To find out more about Teaching in England, talk to one of our dedicated International Recruitment Consultants by registering on www.teachingintheuk.com or emailling info@teachingintheuk.com     posted Thursday, March 06, 2008 5:32 PM by KathyE | 0 Comments