If you have trained as a teacher outside the UK and are looking forward to developing a new and exciting teaching career in England you will need some detailed professional advice to assist you.   Total Teaching can provide you with all the information you need on an individual basis.  All you have to do is to e-mail us with your details at this address  

           info@total-teaching.co.uk

As well as providing you with individual advice concerning your qualification to teach here, we can also offer you work as a supply teacher or help in getting a short or long-term post in a good school.

During the past few years we have dealt with hundreds of overseas trained teachers looking to secure work in the UK. The experiences you will have living and teaching in the UK will be very different to what you are used to but we are here to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

There are a wide variety of special regulations that apply to people from Overseas who wish to teach in England depending on what part of the word they come from.   This is why it is far simpler for you and for us if you contact us directly with your enquiry.

However, in order to give you some general information you may find the following advice will help.

Teachers from countries in The European Union (EU)

(Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom)

People from countries within the European Union  must be recognised as fully qualified teachers in their own country. They therefore should have completed at least 3 years full-time study after the age of 18 and be qualified to teach in schools in their own state system.

Qualified teachers from within the European Union do not require a work permit and may be able to obtain official Qualified Teacher Status in this country by simply completing a formal application for recognition (We can give detailed advice on how to do this).

Teachers will be required to produce their original documents showing their qualification. It would also be helpful to have two authorised photocopies of these documents together with translations where required. Teachers will also require a National Insurance Number which can be applied for on arrival in this country.

Teachers from Commonwealth Countries.

Including Australia, New Zealand , Canada , Ghana, India, Pakistan South Africa , Ghana Barbados, Jamaica.

(For full list of check with http://www.thecommonwealth.org)

Teachers from Commonwealth Countries may work here freely if they can claim PATRIALITY - that is, if they have a parent or grandparent who was born in the UK, provided there are no restrictions on their passports.

The terms “Patriality” and “Ancestry” refer to Commonwealth citizens who have at least one parent (Patriality) or one grandparent (Ancestry) born in Britain. 

Individuals with Ancestry or Patriality visas do not need a work permit to work in the UK.

Please note that you will need a certificate of entitlement to right of abode in UK / certificate of entry.  You must obtain this from your nearest British Diplomatic office BEFORE leaving your home country.

You are advised to do this as quickly as possible since it may take you some time to assemble the necessary birth and marriage certificates. 

If you are applying for an Ancestry visa, you will normally only be given leave to remain in the UK for 4 years, after which you are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence) in the UK. 

For Patriality, this 4-year restriction does not apply, because you are entitled to immediate permanent residence.

All other Overseas Teachers.

All other Overseas teachers require a work permit. Work Permits can only be applied for by the school employing the teacher, not the teacher personally or an agency.   In order to help schools with the administrative details of the application, Total Teaching has the appropriate form which can be partly completed on-line or at interview with us when you arrive.  The form then has to be finally completed  and countersigned by the employing school who actually submits the final application

Overseas teachers may also be able to obtain Qualified Teacher Status under the Graduate Teacher Programme. If the teacher has a degree and is a qualified teacher in state schools in their own country, provided that these are recognised as of equivalent standard to those in the UK, then such teachers may be able to receive training during a period which varies from 3 months to one year. The exact amount of training will be determined according to the background and experience of the individual teacher.

Important Things to bring with you:-

Criminal Records Clearance form from your own country, originals or verified photocopies of all you qualifications, Passport, Driving Licence, Birth Certificate, bank statement, and bank cards.

Opening a UK Bank Account

It's not as easy as one might think to open a bank account in the UK. If you think the bank is doing you a favour by allowing you to keep your money with them, then you will be a step ahead in understanding the system, and less bewildered after your UK bank encounters.

These are your basic UK banking options:

1.    Open a UK Account from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa

2.    Purchase a bank account set-up package from a travel company before you leave.

3.    Don’t do anything and sort it out when you get here.
 

          1. If you would like to get everything organised before you leave you      can choose to open a UK account from Australia or New Zealand          through Thomas Cook (they use HSBC) or directly through HSBC.   Thomas Cook charges a fee for this and with HSBC you may need to      make a minimum deposit.

     2. Another option is to purchase a 'start-up' package prior to your        departure which will allow you to open a bank account in the UK       upon arrival without needing to have a UK job or lease in your name          yet. This is a middle-road and popular option.

     3.If you decide to not do anything prior to arrival you will need to    have a job and a household bills in your name prior to opening a bank account in England. This is not always easy considering you often need a job to get a lease in your name and a permanent UK address to       get bills in your name. You will also need proof of ID in the form of   your Passport.  It can feel r bit like a bad joke, but take heart, it does   work out eventually. The key is to find a job as soon as possible so      you can enter into a lease and open a bank account. It may help you to        bring with you to the UK a letter from your current bank branch    stating for how long you have been a customer and that you have a           good  banking record. If you cannot get a letter of that type, you should bring a recent and original banking statement ensuring that   your name and home address are both shown on it.

There are many banks in the UK and they offer different arrangements and levels of service. You should spend some time finding the bank which offers the best service for you. Ask other international teachers  which banks they have found most helpful. When choosing a bank, you need to consider the following:

 1. The services the bank will offer you and what charges it will make;

 2. What arrangements there are for transferring

money from your home country, and the costs involved;

3. What documents are required by the bank in order to open an account.

4. How easy it is for you to visit or contact the bank.

See full advice for UKCOSA: The Council for International Education at            http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/bank.pdf

The main UK High Street Banks can be found on-line at the following addresses:

Please note that this list does not constitute a recommendation.

Finding suitable accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation can be fraught with problems.  Some letting agencies require a fee of £50 to £100 just to register you and check your financial circumstances on behalf of their clients.

Taking on a tenancy can involve you in making large deposits and it is difficult to find landlords willing to offer less than a one year tenancy.

Our advice for teachers coming from overseas is to book overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation and then actual view potential vacancies in person.

To give you some idea about the facilities offered and the costs involved we suggest that you look at these sites before making any rash decisions.

Hotels

http://www.comestaywithus.com/

http://www.gbstay.co.uk/

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

http://www.visitus.co.uk/

http://www.gbstay.co.uk/

Property to rent

http://www.putterills.co.uk/intro_a.htm

http://www.your-move.co.uk/html/default.htm

Rooms to rent and flat shares.

http://www.housepals.co.uk/

http://www.letalife.com/

http://uk.room-for-let.com/

http://gumtree.com/

http://www.spareroom.co.uk/

DO PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY AS THE ADVICE GIVEN HERE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL

info@total-teaching.co.uk