Would international schools employ a single mother?

[theresaplaceforus]

Simple as that really. One Young child.
Outstanding teacher. In management. Good wage at the moment. Circumstances have change and I’m fearful I won’t be able to achieve what I’ve dreamt of.
Singapore is the main aim. At one of the big ones.

Honest opinions and responses please? X

Isn’t the issue more about whether you will be able to put in place good childcare in a place where you (presumably don’t speak the language) and have no support network? Or is your child older?

I think so. DS was at an international school and there were a few single parent teachers. Their children generally went to the school too.

I don't see why not?
A lot of teachers in the international schools my dc have attended the school as well.
So I can't see any issues. Dc might have to have childcare if you are running a club or similar.
What issues are you imagining?

@BinocularVision the main language in Singapore is English.

I guess I was just worried about being judged. I’m not really sure to be honest...it’s just not the life I had planned but I want to pursue what I have dreamt of and it feels a little daunting that’s all.

Yes definitely. They do have to factor in your family circumstances, because they're providing accommodation, but it's only one consideration.

To be honest, from my experience, it would be a positive. You're cheap because you don't need loads of rooms, and you're also unlikely to go off the rails, because you've got a child.

My school employed several single women with children.

The schools in Singapore are some of the best, do actually your academic and teaching records are likely to be their biggest concern!

Yes 100%. I met loads of single mums working in international schools.

Sorry, just seen you're looking for a change of life because you're feeling down.

I can't imagine a better thing to do. For me, it was one of the best things I've ever done. But I could see it was true of others too.

The teachers were either young and out for adventure (me), jaded and weirdly on the run from something at home (didn't last long), had an international background (such interesting people!), or people searching for a positive change in their lives after something had gone wrong.

The latter group tended to be up for anything, got involved with everything, and lived ten lives for the price of everyone back home. They're some of the most interesting people I've ever met.

Singapore schools are very very academic so difficult to get into. But it’s such a lovely place to live in! You will have no trouble as a single mom. Maybe easier to get into schools in Thailand, China, Middle East etc though. Definitely try!

Thank you for your responses. The reason for Singapore is I grew up there - as an expat child and went to the big school that starts with a T! As well as some schools in Japan and a short stint in Brazil. It’s always been a hope to return to teach there. I know the country very well so that makes it less daunting, I’ve visited many other of the SEA countries but I don’t know them the way I know Singapore.

@Curioushorse thank you for your kind responses - definitely looking for a positive change

I don't see any reason for it not to work OP. ( Apart from traveling and visas etc being covid problematic in places currently)

Honestly, I think it would be fine. Singapore is somewhat conservative but in an international school I cannot imagine it would be an issue, and presumably you'd also get a good deal on fees so your son could attend the school. Just do the maths on living expenses because might be hard to live on a single salary.

Nothing to add (but go for it!) except I also went to school in Singapore...the one starting with W that eventually amalgamated with your school!

I work at an international school in Singapore and we have some single mothers. I don't think it would be an issue - they'd probably like it as it's only you and 1 dependent so it's cheaper for them.
FYI It's getting harder to get jobs here as there is a big drive on recruiting locals. Great place to live with kids though.

A number of single parents at my school in Malaysia. Go for it! The support the ex pat teaching staff give each other is much higher than at home.

The problem is that most schools nowadays look for teaching couples in order to cut down on costs and whilst there are single parent teachers around many of them would have at one time been part of a teaching couple in their current school.

Also, in the Middle East for eg there could be local visa laws that a would be employer would have to circumnavigate with regards to the father of your child being ok with you moving your child away from him.

@BananaBoatFeet I am looking at Singapore. Not the Middle East.

So what you’re saying is - you feel a single mother, even if excellent at a job, would in some places be discriminated against because of that?

@BananaBoatFeet and really? Is that a thing? So through hundreds of applications - the SLT whittle them down to ‘who is in a relationship with another applicant?’
Genuinely asking. As that seems ludicrous.

So what you’re saying is - you feel a single mother, even if excellent at a job, would in some places be discriminated against because of that?

Yes. It’s a thing. Even in Europe. People are employed as teaching couples. I currently have friends in Vienna, Italy and the Middle East who are teaching couples and it’s made clear in the recruitment process that teaching couples will be given preference or teaching couples only need apply for the posts.

Hello! I taught in Japan for years then came back to uk. An American friend is currently a NQT back in the states with her Japanese child. She's been offered two jobs at different Chinese schools, which were then both rescinded because she is a single mum with a dependent: I think they couldn't get the visa due to covid policy. So the job offers are being made in China, I don't know if Singapore would be different.

[quote theresaplaceforus]@BananaBoatFeet and really? Is that a thing? So through hundreds of applications - the SLT whittle them down to ‘who is in a relationship with another applicant?’
Genuinely asking. As that seems ludicrous.[/quote]
Yes. It is not ludicrous because it saves them loads of money. It is not discrimination either - it is them trying to get more teachers for their money. They get two teachers but only have to pay one housing allowance. They share children so it is only 1 'set' of children if they have them.
I wouldn't say my school actively seeks teaching couples - they seek the best person for the job. But if the number 1 applicant had a non-teaching spouse and 2 children, and the number 2 applicant had a teaching spouse that could fill a vacancy then they might well take the number 2 applicant as the whole 'package' is financially sensible for them. We do have a lot of teaching couples at our school although I was taken with a non teaching spouse and 2 children.

Tbh if I think of all my closest friends at work they're all teaching couples that work across our school. It is a win for the school finances.

The child leaving the UK needs father's permission. Other than that go for it. Teachers often arw in accomation in the same condos, bloknof flats etc. There is very much a community and support etc. Also expats tend to be a really friendly inclusive bunch..

Grab the opportunity while ypu can