Returning to teach in UK with only international experience

[TAC76]

Hello

after my PGCE I left the UK for Singapore and didn’t start my NQT year as the job I applied for didn’t require it. Fast forward 15 years and I’m still here, working in one of the top international schools.

I’m thinking of returning to the UK in the next couple of years. Will I be able to work in state schools without my NQT year? Will I be placed on the lowest scale? Is there a way around this?

Thanks so much😊

Firstly, the NQT year is now called ECT (Early Career Teacher) and lasts two years. Check whether there any other changes you need to get yourself up to speed on e.g. the 'reformed' GCSEs and A levels from 2015+. (I mean this kindly; I'm not being sarcastic.)

I think it probably depends very much on the subject you teach and your negotiating skills. Physics or Computer Science, you'll walk into a job and be able to negotiate a salary reflective of your experience abroad. History, not so much. That may change, though, as the teacher shortage can only get worse. Michael Gove (curse the man) did away with automatic progression up pay scales and pay portability, so it's not unusual for experienced UK teachers to end up on a lower salary if they try to move school. Don't be too polite to place the correct value on fifteen years' experience.

I've come back to say that independent schools might be more interested in employing you than state, especially if you've picked up any language / EAL skills in your time abroad. IME, they'd also be less likely to worry about the lack of the NQT year. However, you need to be aware that many indies are opting out of the TPS, or are in negotiations to do so. If you've been abroad for fifteen years, a pension is something you should probably be thinking about.

Tried this. Was offered one job on the lowest starting salary possible, £25,700! There was no way I could survive on that so turned it down. It’s a shame as our area is crying out for teachers.

I came back from teaching many years in Singapore. Couldn't get anyone to pay me more then M6. Went private where my experience was highly valued

I think it depends on the school/Trust that you apply to. The Trust I work for has actively tried to recruit ft abroad due to teacher shortages and so wouldn't see it as an issue.

I would approach Trusts in the part of the UK that you are looking to move to and sale yourself and all the experience you have.

Feel free to pm me.

Can I ask how you found teaching in Singapore?

To be fair it's quite hard to move schools and get anyone to pay you more than M6 as a classroom teacher, even if you have years of experience in an English school.