Southern Alps Recruitment General Information Guide

1. Introduction

Registration with Southern Alps/Teaching-Jobs is free of charge. We offer you the unique opportunity of using your qualification while experiencing the exciting and cosmopolitan life that the UK has to offer. Fulfill your dream of overseas travel while earning a living during term time and use the opportunity offered by the UK's central positioning to travel to Europe during your holiday periods.

We work directly with excellent schools, Local Education Authorities and UK based organisations. Consequently we are in a position to offer exceptional service to both our teachers and the schools that we work with.

Once your registration is completed and ALL the required documents submitted and verified, we can start talking to schools about appropriate vacancies.

2. Supply Positions

Once you have arrived in the UK and have advised us that you are ready to start work, you will receive a call from a UK consultant informing you of a position available at the schools in your area requiring your specialisation. Our UK partner will always attempt to place supply teachers in their area of specialisation, but sometimes you may be called on to fill posts requiring your second choice subjects.

3. Contract and Permanent Positions

In most cases we can find you a contract or permanent position well before you leave home! This applies to all work permit positions (see point 15 below). You will probably be required to have a telephone interview with a UK school principal prior to being offered a position. If this occurs, you should prepare a list of questions. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself about every aspect of the school, the area, and the pupils. Bear in mind that some British schools have behaviour management issues with their pupils.

4. What to Expect in the Classroom in the UK

Teaching in the UK may be very different from your known classroom experience. New Zealand teachers are very well received by schools in the UK, because they have a reputation for hard work, professionalism and reliability. The majority of schools will expect teachers to arrive at 08:30 and school normally finishes between 15:15-15:40. An average London class size is between 25-30 pupils. Each school will have its own educational ethos, dress code, health and safety procedures, and discipline or behaviour policy. You will find the senior members of staff supportive of new personnel and most willing to assist during your integration and familiarisation period. Never be afraid to ask for assistance or advice. Your UK consultant is always available to assist and guide you.

5. The National Curriculum

The national curriculum was introduced in 1988 and stipulates what must be studied in state schools up to the age of 16 years. The basis of the curriculum is made up of the core subjects English, Mathematics and Science. In the primary phase, a daily Literacy Hour programme has been introduced with the foundation subjects of History, Geography, Design and Technology. Information Technology, Music, Art and Physical Education are also offered.

At secondary level, Languages are introduced as well as Religious Ed. Student assessments take the form of SAT (Standard Assessment Tasks) at the end of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3:

Key Stage 1: infant curriculum (ages 5 to 7)
Key Stage 2: junior curriculum (ages 7 to 11)
Key Stage 3: early secondary curriculum (ages 11 to 14)
Key Stage 4: latter part of secondary curriculum (ages 14 to 16)

At age 16 GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams are held. "A" Level examinations can be undertaken at the age of 18 after which students may gain entrance to Universities.

6. Types of Schools

Nursery Schools	Non-compulsory schooling for 3-4 year olds
Infant Schools	Reception classes for 4-5 year olds
	Infant classes for 5-7 year olds
Junior Schools	Junior classes for 8-11 year olds
Primary Schools	Combine all of the above
Secondary Schools	Senior classes for 11-16 year olds
Sixth Form Colleges	For the post-16 year old age group

7. The School Year

The academic year in the UK is divided into three terms. It begins with the Autumn Term in early September lasting until mid-December (a one-week mid-term break usually falls during the third or fourth week in October). Spring Term begins in the New Year after a two-week holiday. Half term break is in late February and the term finishes at Easter. Summer Term begins after Easter with a half term break in May. The academic year then ends around the third week of July.

8. Pay Rates

Supply Positions

Our UK partner pays our teachers at highly competitive rates, reviewing pay rates regularly to assure a fair reflection of supply and demand through the year.

Salaried Positions

Salaries for contract and permanent positions depend on the type of school, its location, your experience, and the seniority of the role.

9. Living Costs

The cost of living is of course largely dependant on your lifestyle, where you choose to live, and your entertainment budget! A rough estimate is around one and a half day's wages/salary. You can visit a couple of UK magazines on-line to get an idea of living costs, Loot and TNT.

10. Tax

Our UK partner, and UK schools operate a PAYE (pay as you earn) system for teachers. This means that they as your employer are responsible for making deductions on your earnings for Tax and National Insurance.

11. Accommodation

In many cases we are able to offer our teachers free help with settling in to the UK. We can often help with airport pick-up, advice on short or long term accommodation, opening a UK bank account, sorting out tax details, and providing local area maps and information.

Accommodation available will include a diverse range of possibilities, from hostels, guesthouses, bed-sits, flats, and house-shares. You will find accommodation advertised in publications like TNT magazine and Loot (see Living Costs section above). Our website, www.teacher-junction.com, is a great place to get in touch with other teachers from abroad who are looking for flatmates or accommodation. www.teacher-junction.com has its own accommodation page with important links to UK accommodation sites.

12. Commuting

Public transport in the UK is efficient and plentiful. Making use of the many tubes, rail and bus routes may prove daunting to start off with, but will soon become part of your daily routine. It is advisable to be equipped with vital street maps and tube and bus route maps while you familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. These are readily available at travel agents and bookshops. Your UK consultant will also be available to advise and assist you. Buying a weekly or monthly travel card that covers bus, rail and tube journeys for your most frequently traveled zones, is your cheapest option.

13. Opening a Bank Account

It can be difficult for overseas visitors to open a bank account in the UK. However, Thomas Cook in New Zealand can open you a UK bank account from here. You can phone them on: 0800 500 600. If you decide not to open an account this way, it is advisable to get a letter of recommendation from your bank or building society. This should be an original and not a photocopy.

14. New Zealand Registration

It is possible to gain up to 12 months of your two-year registration period by teaching in the UK. If you work in a medium to long-term contract and can show supervision, and get a letter from the school, the time can count towards your registration. Document everything you do. You should contact the Teacher Registration Board if you are considering this. We have a link to the Teacher Registration Board on our website www.teaching-jobs.co.nz (click on the Links section).

15. Work Permits

If it is not possible for you to obtain passport, visa, or ancestry work-entry to the UK, we should still be able to place you in the UK under a sponsored work permit. This process is now quick and simple (sometimes within two weeks). You would be required to commit to a minimum period of at least one term and in most cases one year. We can now get work permits for teachers, regardless of your age or whether you have worked in the UK before. We can get work permits for short and medium term contract positions and permanent positions.

16. What we expect from our Teachers

The increase in use of overseas trained teachers in the UK must not be at the expense of quality of education. It is vitally important that all our teachers integrate themselves within the schools by abiding by their standards, ethos, policies and expectations.

You will be expected to:

• Become familiar with and keep up to date on National Curriculum issues and your subject specialisms
• Teach and supervise classes effectively, as required by each particular school
• Prepare lessons, or teach ready-prepared lessons as appropriate
• Supply appropriate materials for emergency bookings in the primary sector (Supply teaching only)
• Telephone the school to establish required needs for advance bookings (Supply teaching only)
• Mark any written work by primary classes before leaving at the end of the school day (Supply teaching only)
• Mark work in secondary schools
• Maintain professional standards of dress and behaviour
• Carry out reasonable requests made by headteachers, including tasks like playground duty