Work availability
The demand for your services depends upon a number of variable factors including age levels, subject areas, experience, time of year in which you are able to work and so on. If you are 0-5 trained, we recommend that you gain some experience with 5-7 year olds. Even a couple of days voluntary work before leaving home will increase your chance of consistent work. For more specific details on demand, you may need to check with your consultant at the time of your registration.
Remember that in the secondary sector, the demand for day-to-day work reduces during the July to October summer period. However, come November, work is plentiful. We recommend that if you want a longer term position, you should be available for interviews during the holidays immediately preceding a term. Capita has vacancies ranging from half-a-day to a year, so whether you are just passing through or intend to spend two or three years in Britain, we are confident of having work that will suit you.
Pay rate
Our rates of pay are excellent. What you earn is dependent on the nature of the position you are filling. Capita will automatically deduct the required amount of UK tax and national insurance contributions from your wage.
As many teachers will not work a full financial year (May to April in the UK) you may receive a tax rebate. This is something you can discuss with your consultant. Also, for casual relief supply work, you are only paid for the days that you work.
Joining a union
Union membership is optional, but if you intend working in the UK for any length of time, it is advisable to join a union. Relevant information on teaching unions is available in our UK offices.
Dress code
You need to dress in a professional manner, therefore items such as jeans and trainers are not acceptable. You should begin an assignment wearing smart clothes (including a shirt and tie for the men) until you are able to gauge the dress code for a particular school. As a woman teaching in the UK, it is always worthwhile packing a longish skirt as a number of faith schools can be quite orthodox and require women to dress accordingly.
Health care
The British National Health Service will be available to you free of charge. Capita will advise you on how to apply for a National Insurance Number and is able to provide contact information for doctors and dentists. It is important to consider appropriate medical cover prior to departure as your travel will undoubtedly take you beyond the UK to countries that do not have reciprocal arrangements similar to that which exist between Britain and the Commonwealth Countries.
Terms and holidays
There are 195 days in the British school year. It starts in September and ends the following July. An approximate guide to the three term year is as follows:
- Autumn Term: First week in September until third week in December
- Spring Term: First week of January until Easter
- Summer Term: One/Two weeks after Easter until third week in July
The good news is that there are 13 weeks holiday. The usual pattern is two weeks at Christmas, two weeks at Easter and six weeks in the summer. In addition there is a one week break in the middle of each of the three terms. Naturally, if you want longer term work you will be restricted to travelling during the school holidays.
Education department website
The Department for Education (DfE) and Skills has an extensive website with information on all aspects of the British school system. Given the quantity and range of information available on this site, it is not possible to provide the material in this booklet. If you want additional information on the British school system and the National Curriculum, we suggest that you visit these informative sites at:
www.education.gov.uk
www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachinginengland |
