Follow these guidelines to teaching in the UK and guarantee that all bases are covered prior to your departure.

• Submit your CV online or contact our International Office in Melbourne. You will be contacted within 24 hours to discuss specific job opportunities or to just have your questions answered.
   
  
• Apply for your Visa with the British High Commission or Consulate of the country where you currently reside. UK nationals or EU passport holders do not require a visa to teach in the UK.
   
  
• On receipt of your Visa, book your flight to the UK. Heathrow Airport in London is the most common arrival point for long distance International flights to the UK.
   
  
• Organise all documentation that you are required to present in order to take up a teaching position in the UK. This includes teaching/education qualifications, police checks, written teaching references & passport/visa. Providing written teaching references or performance appraisals from colleagues that have seen you in action strengthens your application for jobs and gives our consultants a much greater chance of securing the type of position that meets your desired criteria.
   
  
• Confirm your registration interview, to be held at our London offices a few days after your arrival in the UK.
   
  
• Discuss teaching positions in London and the Home Counties with our UK recruitment consultants prior to your departure. Get to know the team.
   
  
• Before you conduct an interview with a school, take the time to research the school and the local area. Visit the school's website, look up the national curriculum in that particular key stage/subject area, and try to become familiar with the different teaching terminology used in the UK. Your Academics consultant will answer any questions or concerns that you have.
   
  
• If your job has been arranged prior to your arrival, ensure you have all relevant details regarding the post.
   
  
• Organise your accommodation in the UK, particularly for the first week that you arrive.
   
  
• Have a farewell party with family and friends!
   
  

Q - What documents do I need to make available so I can teach in the UK?

A - Curriculum Vitae / Resume
Two Passport Photographs
Two Written Teaching references/testimonials (Practicum Reports are suitable for Newly Qualified Teachers)
National Criminal Convictions Clearance
Passport with Visa Stamped (A visa is not required for UK or EU passport holders)
University Education or Teaching Certificates + Academics Transcripts
Academics Application Form & Medical Questionnaire

Q - In what sort of capacity can I work with Academics in the UK?

A - Academics place Secondary, Primary, & Special Needs teachers in UK schools. We also place Nursery Nurses & Teaching Assistants. You will be working either as a contractor (i.e. Paid by Academics) in a fixed term position or as a permanent teacher (i.e. Paid by the School or Local Education Authority)

Q - What is the difference between working as a Contractor or as a Permanent Teacher?

A - As a contractor you are paid a daily rate (e.g. 135 pounds a day) on a weekly basis. As a contractor you are also in a position to register under a limited company agreement which allows you to claim back a host of work related deductions. As a permanent teacher you are paid monthly including holiday & sick pay. Over a 12 month period you would earn roughly the same as a higher daily pay rate & the claiming of work related deductions makes up for the holiday & sick pay.

Q - I was trained as a teacher outside the UK. How can I increase my earning power in the UK?

A - Pay rates as a contractor are negotiable. The roles/responsibility, your experience, the type of school you will be working in & the length of the contract are just some of the factors that go in determining your daily pay rate. It can be expected that the more UK teaching experience you gain or your role/responsibilities are increased, then the stronger position you are in to negotiate a higher daily pay rate.
If you are looking at taking up a permanent post, than it's highly recommended that you also under go British Qualified Teaching Status (QTS). By completing QTS, any previous overseas teaching experience must then be taken into account when determining your pay scale. Without TS, a school or Local Education Authority don't have to recognise any previous overseas teaching experience if they don't wish too.

Q - How much can I expect to earn as teaching in the UK?

A - Teachers who work in London can expect to earn 10-15% more than those outside London (again this determines on the type of position) to cover the higher cost of living such as transport.

Q - Do I need to bring any additional documents with me from home if I wish to gain QTS?

A - See the section "Professional Development"

Q - Can Academics help me set up a UK bank account?

A - Yes, once you attend your Registration Interview in our London Office soon after your arrival you will complete the necessary paperwork required to open your Lloyds Barclay Cheque Account. Within 7 working days you will have your cheque book, ATM card & PIN number posted to you ready in time for your first pay packet!

Q - I need assistance in filling out my Visa & or National Police Check application. Can Academics assist me?

A - Yes. Please contact our International Office in Australia or go to the "Documents to Teach in the UK" section for assistance

Q - Outside QTS, what other professional development & support can Academics offer me?

A - Academics run the most comprehensive Teaching Professional Development program in the UK. You will meet our Professional Development Team at your Registration Interview to evaluate what level of support you are looking for or requiring to teach in the UK. Our team will work closely with you & your school, often with regular visits to see you teach. A drop in service is available as well as contact during normal business hours. Free courses run through out the term & school holidays covering everything from curriculum advice to behaviour management.

Q - What sort of service can I expect to receive before I leave my home country?

A - The International Office handles the majority of general enquiries with regards to teaching, living & travel to the UK. Our team of ex teachers who have taught in the UK are there to pass on their knowledge & advice to ensure a smooth transition. This can be anything from working with you to fill out a visa application to helping you find somewhere to live, advising you on the curriculum in your subject to some of the top places to visit around the world. This is a free service so do take advantage!

Q - I have a teaching friend who is travelling with me. Can Academics assist them as well?

A - Of course. The majority of teachers working for the company come from the positive words spread by past & present teachers working for the company. For your efforts, we will also pay you 100 pounds ($250AUD) as a bonus just for referring them on to us!

Q - How much money should I arrive to the UK with?

A - To apply for your Visa, the British High Commission will ask you to provide a bank statement that shows roughly 1000 pounds ($2,500 to $3,000AUD). It’s advised that you use this as a minimum to cover any upfront bond/rent you need to pay soon after your arrival or Illness that prevents you from working.

Q - At what time of the year would the most teaching opportunities available?

A - It's common for the majority of vacancies to start at the beginning of a term, especially Term 1 (first week of September) & Term 2 (first week of January). As we are given more time from the schools we service at this time of the year we are in a much better position to place a teacher prior to their arrival via a phone interview.

Q - I've been told that there is only 3 terms in the UK. If this is the case, how do the holidays work?

A - The school year is 39 weeks like in most countries with each term either 12 or 13 weeks depending on when Easter falls. A half term break for one week is taken in the middle, every six to seven weeks. Two weeks are given at the end of Term 1 & 2 over Xmas & Easter respectively. Six weeks summer holidays are given from mid July to end of August.

Q - Can I expect to hear from the London Office prior to my arrival?

A - Absolutely, the London Office will be busily starting the recruitment process before you arrive with the aim of having you a post secured should that be your desire. You will receive regular calls/emails to ensure they understand your requirements as well as to discuss potential positions with you.

Q - If I get sick in the UK, what should I do?

A - Once you have found long term accommodation you should look at registering with a local GP. Do this before you get sick as it isn’t always possible just to turn up & see them in person. Most Commonwealth countries have reciprocal public health service with the UK so showing your Medicare Card or equivalent will suffice. See the Accident & Emergency for more serious or hospitalisation.

Q - I've been told I can claim my flight over to the UK when I'm working with Academics in the UK. Is this correct?

A - Any non-UK national who is employed as a contractor by Academics working under a Limited Company agreement can claim a percentage of their flight to the UK back as a deduction against their earnings. Other deductions include accommodation, stationary, transport to & from work, clothing & a meal allowance. A teacher can register under a Limited Company agreement with Academics provider, My Key Contact at their Induction Registration Interview soon after their arrival.

Q - When I teach in the UK will I receive a Superannuation/Pension contribution from my employer?

A - Teachers that are employed as a contractor (ie. paid by Academics) don't earn a superannuation or pension contribution. This is already worked into your daily pay rate. Teachers that are employed as a permanent staff member (ie. paid directly by the school they work for or the LEA) will be entitled to a superannuation/pension contribution. Those teachers that are not UK Citizens have the option for their superannuation/pension to be included in their monthly pay. Those that decide to not take it as part of their monthly pay will have a superannuation/pension contribution being made to the fund set up for employees of that school.

A teacher who has collected a superannuation/pension contribution can transfer this to their fund in their home country once they have finished working in the UK for the last time. Any superannuation/pension contribution must be transferred to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS)

Q - I have been carrying out some research on what teaching in the UK is all about such as the UK National Curriculum but am struggling to understand the terminology used. Can Academics assist me here?

A - By contacting our International Office or following the link "UK Teaching Terminology" will be able to answer any concerns you have in this area

Q - Academics have organised a phone interview for me with regards to a possible teaching opportunity. What steps should I take before the interview?

A - You will talk to your direct consultant who lined up the interview, the Academics Professional Team & the International Office prior to your phone interview to ensure you are well prepared to cover all bases. To give you the best chance at the interview it's recommended to do some research by checking out the schools' website, the national curriculum & UK Teaching Terminology section of the Academics website. Successful interviewees give clear & concise examples of good teaching work practice in answer to questions asked. Be honest & enthusiastic about the position being offered.