January start teaching jobs

[CHGri]

Hello all,

I'm an English teacher at an independent school in London and will be hopefully moving up to Yorkshire (Leeds/Ilkley area) in the next year. It's too late notice to leave my school and start somewhere up north in September so I'm wondering what people's experiences are of finding/securing jobs with a January start? I'm a bit nervous about securing a job as there tend to be fewer and I definitely need one for a mortgage!

Thanks!

Are you looking for independence for state or either? You could send an enquiry email to schools you are interested in.

Alternative is supply until you get a new full time position.

Thank you - ideally independent as it's what I know but am flexible given reduced options. That's a good idea! Have you joined mid year before/what was it like?

I’ve not done it but we do have people start at odd times and they seem to settle in well,

No harm in contacting schools making an enquiry.

A January start can be tough, because you're picking up new pupils mid year, and working out what they already know, while other teachers and classes are more established.

In other ways it's actually a good time of year, because colleagues are settled into a routine and able to support more easily.

Depending on circumstances, there can be the bonus too that people have been waiting for you to start and are thrilled to have an extra safe pair of hands step in and pick up.

Hello @CHGri I think you would be wise to broaden your search beyond indies, as they have been hit hard since the introduction of VAT on fees. In the Leeds area, both Fulneck and Wakefield Independent are closing next month. Ethelburga's (best avoided anyway) is restructuring, and another is widening its minibus pick-up points into areas which have previously been regarded as the 'territory' of other schools. Any indie still offering the TPS will likely be expecting staff to make a contribution out of their wages (6 - 8%) if they want to stay in. The situation is very, very difficult at the moment, and small indies up here are increasingly relying on local-authority funded ECHP pupils to keep going.

There wouldn't be any harm in writing to schools telling them you are available (GSAL, WGH, Silcoates etc) as unexpected vacancies / illnesses can occur.