Overseas teachers information...

Teaching in the UK is limited to those with appropriate qualifications and visas. Teachers in Britain and the European Union are granted Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) automatically if they have completed one of the following:

• Bachelor of Education degree
• Certificate of education
• Post Graduate Certificate of Education
• Graduate Teacher Programme

A completed induction year is also a requirement. If you are from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or Canada you will not have QTS. However in general British Schools do appreciate that the qualifications you have achieved equip you to teach effectively in our schools

Teachers who trained outside of the EEA and who are not nationals of an EEA member state can work for up to four years in England as a temporary teacher without the need for Qualified Teacher Status

Adapting to English Schools
It is important to understand that for a long-term position you will usually need to be interviewed by a Head Teacher so it is difficult to be placed in longer term work while still overseas

It is vital for an overseas teacher to be able to demonstrate the ability to adapt to the cultural differences in the classroom, have appropriate skills in classroom management and knowledge of national curriculum standards. Regardless of where you come from it is essential that your communication skills in English are good so that you can communicate clearly with the children

Permission to work

• European Economic Area
  A teacher who is a national within the European Economic Area and has qualified as a state school teacher in an EEA Country does not need permission to work and can be employed on the same basis as a UK national
   
• Commonwealth
  Some Commonwealth nationals may work full-time without a work permit, if a parent or grand parent was born in the UK
  
  Commonwealth nationals who have been admitted to the UK as working holidaymakers, may take casual work without the need for a work permit (they will be granted a working holiday visa). This means that they can work as a supply (temporary) teacher on a part-time basis for most of one year. On expiry of their working holiday visa they will not be permitted to continue working in the UK without a full work permit

Registration for teaching

• Other Countries:
  Nationals of countries not in the EEA or Commonwealth will need a work permit for employment in the U.K. People with dual nationality in Britain or another EU Country, which includes being married to a British National, or a Spouse with dual nationality will not need permission to work in the UK
  
  The immigration service is responsible for deciding whether someone may enter the UK and what they are allowed to do. People outside the UK who need advice on whether they need a work permit should contact their nearest British Embassy, British Consulate or High Commission. The Home Office will advise people already in the UK  

• Work Permits:
  Applications for work permits can only be made by the prospective employer. Teacher employment agencies ARE NOT eligible to apply for work permits; this must be done through a school who agrees to take a teacher on a permanent contract for a minimum of four months

Registration for teaching

To register with Cover you will need to be living in England as a face-to-face interview is the first stage of the process

The following documents (not photocopies) and information will need to be produced at the interview:

• Passport and Birth Certificate
• CV or resume
• Police check from the last country you lived in
• Degree and Teaching Certificates
• Details of 2 referees who can provide up-to-date references on request (including name, job title, school address, telephone and fax numbers)
• Evidence of where you are resident in England
• A list of your last 5 years of addresses
• NARIC qualifications comparison letter(to check that your qualifications are the equivalent to those in the UK). They can be contacted on 0870 990 4088

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