Moving to Scotland, qualified in England

[Sushijackiechan]

I'm currently an art teacher in a state secondary school in S London. Got PGCE and decades experience.

Investigating how to apply for jobs and teach in Scotland.

Anyone made this move? Any advice or experiences welcome.

nobody?

www.tes.com/articles/moving-teaching-england-teaching-scotland

I replied on your thread in Scotsnet. I think you've applied online to GTCS already? Not sure how that works (my was on paper) but be prepared to have your degree transcript scrutinised as to whether you have enough credits at the required level for your registration subject (80? off the top of my head, where 360 are a three year bachelor's degree).

Jobs are advertised on Myjobscotland. My headteacher was somewhat incredulous at the notice period required in England (it's one month for non-promoted posts here) so be prepared for that!

Read up on the Curriculum for Excellence which is relatively new.

Teaching is far less stressful here I find (though I teach in a very small school). Less accountability, less data driven and no OFSTED looming over you (HMI inspections are very different).

Please ask away if you have any questions. On here or via PM. Happy to help!

Thanks so much for your reply and for the heads up on the different notice periods.

I have been given provisional registration by GTCS (subject to my head confirming my teaching service and my application for PVG scheme membership.) so I can apply for teaching jobs.

As I'm committed to my teaching down here for this term, the plan is to put our house on market here and apply for jobs from Spring onwards ( and then cross fingers really hard it all falls into place....!)

What's the format for job interviews up there? I haven't been interviewed for a job in years. ( been in lesson observations and interviews though)

Here it's a whole day: 8-4. With morning spend meeting other candidates, meeting dept, teaching an observed lesson, portfolio inspection and subject interview, student panel interview, lunch then SLT interview in the afternoon.

What's the demand for supply teachers in Scotland like? I wonder if it's a good idea to do this first get an idea of schools?

Thanks for tes link

What's the format for job interviews up there?
Simple interview generally, done in an hour at most and hear at close of the day.

(although I did hear of someone in Edinburgh having an observed lesson).

I'm afraid I'm not much use as I'm primary... have a look on myjobsscotland to see the current vacancies.

I had a fairly rigorous interview and an observed lesson. Heard by the end of the day that I was offered the job. Good news about the provisional registration, worthwhile checking that you have enough teaching service to bypass the probationer year. My initial contract had me on a probationer's salary when I was coming from UPS2 in England!

Great thanks for the replies.

It sounds much more interview weighted. What is staff turnover like in Scottish schools? Do people stay in same position for many years?

I am happy to do an observed lesson. I am really surprised that teachers are appointed without one!

If I don't have enough experience after 19 years I'd be surprised, been on UPS3 for over a decade. How long before you were back on UPS level fuckweael?

Got to say I would be expecting to be paid as per my experience, however, that's interesting thing to consider. as it's a different system to learn, a probationer year could be a useful breathing space.

Were you on a one year contract?

I started at top of mainscale (point 6). There's nowhere to go after this unless on the Principal Teacher scale or Headteacher/Depute scale. I started on a permanent contract but temporary contracts seem to be becoming more popular. Not sure about turnover in general; we're a very 'marmite' school! Some stay for 20+ years, some last a year. It's a very small community; people knew who I was before I even started the job.

I've thought about whether to post this but it isn't always easy to get a job when you are very experienced. As well as many seeming to prefer a younger teacher (unconscious ageism perhaps) there is the issue that you would cost more.
You really need to study CFE inside out. I think coming from London will be an advantage.

Thanks Ballsofmush.
I totally agree! I work with trainee teachers and when they go for jobs all the candidates are their age. Retention in teacher in London is shocking and budgets tiny. Teachers are leaving in droves. That's why I was asking about that.

I'm well aware that I will be up against younger, fresher candidates and I cost way more too!

That said, I can't make myself younger or cheaper. However I do have lots on my side,not least, a proven track record, loyalty, masses of experience and I do know my subject inside out.

Just need to find the right job!

With CFE where are the best resources for this?

teaching

education.gov.scot

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/curriculum_for_excellence.shtml

www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/70972.html

The last one is for exam specifications and papers. Good luck! Definitely get on the supply list when you arrive. We don't use agencies for that here but through the local authorities. There won't be as much demand in spring as if you arrived in the middle of the flu season!

Brilliant links. Thank you. I'll get reading.

I'm curious, why do you think coming from London is an advantage?

Oh, I meant you would probably appear to have survived in an inner city environment and therefore able to cope well - I suppose you could be in a leafy suburb but then you'll have had different challenges!

Oh I see.

My current school is state comp in an outer London borough which could be described as leafy but is also very mixed in terms of affluence and diversity. Lots of ESL.

Not sure what kind of school I'd like in Scotland. One that values my subject I guess!

Where are you looking at moving to, if it's not outing?

Glasgow or surrounding area

Not my part but lovely houses at affordable prices and loads of schools so more opportunities.