Take your teaching career further in London: Tips for Irish expats
The Irish education system is presenting interesting challenges for local teachers. With falling primary pupil numbers projected over the coming six years, fewer teachers will be required and vacant roles could become increasingly competitive. As pay levels, job stability and the housing market continue to see Irish teachers looking elsewhere for work, the bright lights and big opportunities of London may be more appealing than ever.
For decades, teachers from around the world have flocked to London to not only experience all that the big city has to offer, but also to upskill and further their careers. If you’re considering making the move, you’re in good company: With 11,400 Irish emigrants heading to Britain in the year to April 2018, it’s the most popular destination for those moving from Éire. Here’s everything you need to know to take your teaching career further in London:
Teaching opportunities abound
Whether you’re an early years, primary, secondary or SEN teacher, there’s an opportunity to suit you in London’s 32 boroughs and more than 3,000 schools. The capital city has seen record levels of employment in recent times, with a buoyant economy that is proving attractive to teachers - and other professionals - the world over. And while Irish pupil numbers are dropping, England is seeing a boom in the student population, with nearly 50,000 more secondary teachers required to cope with the incoming influx of pupils.
London has big ambitions when it comes to its education system, and as the city continues to develop its innovation, culture and economic activities, we can expect to see the city fulfil its goal of boasting world-class schools where pupils thrive. Currently, nearly all schools in London are high performing, with 57% of London pupils meeting or exceeding the new expected standard in reading, writing and maths by the end of KS2, compared to the national average of 52%.
And with nearly 49% of primary and 57% of secondary head teachers in London aged 50 or older, we will likely see more opportunities for head teachers in the future. For Irish teachers with ambitions to grow their career, this demographic shift could be very lucrative indeed.
Feel at home
For Irish teachers accustomed to working in Catholic schools, we can help to make the transition to London work even easier. Teaching Personnel’s Catholic Schools Recruitment Partnership offers teaching staff a wide variety of job opportunities in Catholic schools across England, plus a CPD Academy featuring professional development partnerships with Catholic universities and training schools. Irish teachers can gain a wider London experience of teaching within the Catholic ethos, with schools in the partnership providing a welcoming, friendly and supportive atmosphere. If you’re an Irish teacher looking to expand your skillset in one of London’s Catholic schools, this could be the perfect fit for you.
Getting settled
Though it’s just a short flight from home, London can feel a world away at times, thanks largely to its sheer size and scale. Densely populated, the capital may be overwhelming at first, but its sophisticated infrastructure, diverse inhabitants and breadth of leisure activities on offer ensure it’s a very liveable city with lots to offer. With more than 200 museums – many of which are free – world-class art galleries, major musicians touring every day and West End musicals on offer at virtually any time you can think of, there’s plenty of arts and culture to keep you occupied. Add in international sporting fixtures, pubs on every corner and easy accessibility to some of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations and you’ve got a home base that many people around the world can only dream of.
In addition, many teachers in London find the city’s public transport network more than adequate for their daily travel needs, so you can leave your car at home. Healthcare is free to London citizens through the NHS, and while you can start working immediately, you should apply for a National Insurance number as soon as possible.
In order to teach in the UK, you’ll need to gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). Generally, all officially recognised Irish teaching qualifications are recognised in the UK, so QTS is a simple form-filling process for Irish teachers moving to London. EEA applicants should allow four months for their QTS to be processed. More information can be found here.
Make your move
With an abundance of jobs, an easy transition to British teaching and leisure opportunities on your doorstep, London is the perfect place for Irish teachers to drive their career forward. At Teaching Personnel, we have thousands of teaching jobs waiting for the right candidate. Make the move to one of the world’s greatest cities today.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£12.90 - 12.90 per hour
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Are you a Student studying at Bournemouth University? Are you looking for some relevent paid work around your studies?Whatever your situation, we would love to hear from you.We are looking for Student
Reference
LWSENunistu
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£24,179 per year
Location free text
Manchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Internal
Location
Manchester
Description
Are you passionate about education and the difference it can make in the world? Are you a looking for a new or your first Recruitment role without the immediate pressure of sales and a 180 degree focu
Reference
4857
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£100 - 140 per day
Location free text
Sherborne
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Other
Location
Dorset
Description
This school is a pupil referral unit based on a small school site in Sherborne in North Dorset. They provide an education setting for pupils who are unable to learn in mainstream settings or may need
Reference
LWSENHVTCHJAN
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£77 - 85 per day
Location free text
Keighley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Secondary SEN Support
Location
Keighley
Description
Are you a Teaching Assistant seeking a new, flexible opportunity?Teaching Personnel are looking for SEN Teaching Assistants to support in SEN schools across the city of Keighley. Part-time and/or ful
Reference
SM-D2D-280324-BD20
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
Are you passionate about empowering students to excel in GCSE Maths or English?At TP Tutors, we're excited to offer an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students' educational journeys in Nott
Reference
JL540NottsGCSE666
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£11.85 - 11.85 per hour
Location free text
Yeovil
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Somerset
Description
This College is a 52-week residential specialist college providing quality care and education for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 with a diagnosis of autism, or whose difficulties place the
Reference
LWSENLUFTA134
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Hartlepool
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Hartlepool
Description
TP Tutors are looking for enthusiastic and engaging Tutors in Hartlepool to support pupils on a 1:1 basis. Many of our current placements are supporting pupils awaiting school placements, and as such
Reference
RT2803Hartlepool
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£12.90 - 12.90 per hour
Location free text
Lymington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Autism
Location
Lymington
Description
Teaching Personnel are working with a school in Lymington that are renowned for its commitment to providing exceptional specialist education for students with autism (ASC) and other associated needs.
Reference
CRLSALYMHH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£20 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Slough
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Slough
Description
Job Title: Tutors needed in Slough Location: England, South East England, BerkshireJob Type: Temporary, expected to work Part-Time hoursPrimary Industry: Education and TrainingSecondary Industry:
Reference
LM28/03/242
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£12.90 - 12.90 per hour
Location free text
Salisbury
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEMH
Location
Salisbury
Description
Teaching Personnel have an exciting opportunity to join an expanding school in Salisbury, Wiltshire. We are currently seeking a number of Learning Support Assistants or Teaching Assistants to join thi
Reference
LWSENSALSEMH
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job