Author Archive: Luca May

Contract Teaching Benefits that Full-Timer Miss

How Contract Teaching Builds the Skills Full-Time Roles Overlook

Posted on by

Contract teaching builds skills that permanent roles often overlook by exposing you to diverse classroom settings and constant new challenges.

In our experience, the main benefits of contract teaching include faster adaptability, stronger classroom management, and resilience under pressure. And supply teachers develop these through working across multiple schools.

Want the full picture of how supply teaching accelerates your professional growth? We’ll dive deeper into these benefits and show you what permanent positions typically miss.

Stick around. We’re about to show you exactly how supply work builds your teaching career, one placement at a time.

What Is Contract Teaching?

Contract teaching is temporary work where educators fill short-term positions across different schools. There’s no long-term commitment to one place. Supply teachers work flexibly, picking assignments that fit their schedule and lifestyle.

You might be wondering how this differs from permanent teaching. Well, the main distinction comes down to control. You decide when and where you work, which is particularly helpful for early-career teachers exploring various school environments before settling down.

That freedom means something else too. Supply work lets you experience different teaching styles and school cultures throughout the academic year. Think of it as test-driving schools before you commit long-term.

The Retention Crisis Many Teachers Face

The Retention Crisis Many Teachers Face

So why are so many teachers considering contract work instead?

Nearly 1 in 3 leaves the profession within 5 years. Many struggle with burnout and overwhelming workloads in permanent positions (a problem highlighted in the 2022 Working Lives of Teachers survey). The teaching profession demands excessive hours that damage work-life balance.

Educators often find themselves burning the candle at both ends just to keep up, and this pressure contributes to teacher shortages. The shortage creates serious challenges for students across schools and entire school communities. Because of this, the growing demand for supply staff is what keeps many schools operating throughout the academic year.

That’s exactly why contract teaching is gaining traction among educators looking for a better way forward.

Contract Teaching Benefits for Early Career Teachers

The best part about contract teaching is that you develop professional skills twice the speed. Supply teachers experience diverse classroom settings, and student needs daily, something one school alone just can’t provide.

Adapting to New Schools Becomes Easy

Each new placement throws different policies, students, and school cultures at you. You have no choice but to learn fast. If you’ve tried contract teaching, you know this already.

Supply teachers improvise when lesson plans fall apart or classes run differently than expected. Over time, this flexibility becomes automatic.

Your Classroom Control Gets Stronger

Let’s be honest here, walking into a stranger’s classroom isn’t easy.

For instance, you’ve got to establish authority immediately without existing relationships or pre-established classroom rules (and yes, that includes the Monday morning panic when your phone rings at 7:15 AM).

On the positive side, these situations sharpen your instincts fast. You’ll learn to spot potential issues before they escalate and respond effectively without second-guessing yourself.”

You Learn From Multiple Teaching Methods

Observing multiple colleagues reveals diverse approaches to lessons and student engagement. Supply teachers absorb best practices from various schools rather than one institution’s methods. You see what works in secondary schools versus primary schools.

But how does all this experience prepare you for landing permanent roles?

How Does Supply Teaching Prepare You for Permanent Roles?

Energetic supply teacher engaging students in class

Supply teaching prepares you for permanent roles by building resilience, quick thinking, and people skills that traditional positions rarely demand. Believe it or not, the constant change forces you to develop abilities that most educators only learn after years in one school.

You Handle Pressure Without Breaking

You’ll face last-minute bookings and challenging classroom dynamics regularly. This builds mental strength fast. And from there, staying calm under stress becomes your greatest asset when applying for permanent positions.

Reading Rooms Quickly Becomes Instinct

As a teacher, you must assess student moods and classroom atmosphere within minutes. Through our work with early career teachers, we’ve noticed this skill separates confident educators from those who struggle.

What’s more, reading social cues becomes instinctive. This skill later helps during interviews and permanent role transitions.

Building Rapport Happens Fast

Supply teachers connect with students despite brief interactions and no prior relationship history. You learn engagement techniques that work universally. Also, building trust becomes much easier in permanent roles because you’ve already developed the fundamentals.

These skills wouldn’t mean much if schools weren’t actively seeking supply staff, though.

Contract Teaching: Meeting Growing Demand in the Education Sector

Vacancy rates hit record highs, and schools can't fill positions fast enough.

If you’re keeping up with education news, you’ve already heard the numbers. The education sector is struggling. Vacancy rates across London boroughs have hit record highs, and schools can’t fill positions fast enough.

The gaps in core subjects like maths and science are even worse, and that’s where things get interesting.

Supply teachers step in to keep classrooms running when permanent teachers are absent. The demand keeps growing, particularly across the North West and North East.

That’s where recruitment agencies come in. They connect supply teachers with schools that desperately need them. Supply teaching no longer serves as just a temporary fix. Schools rely on it to keep running throughout the academic year.

Does Working as a Supply Teacher Offer Expert Support?

Yes, reputable agencies provide supply teachers with professional guidance, placement support, and career development resources. The right agency support can be worth its weight in gold.

Recruitment agencies connect supply teachers with schools while offering professional development opportunities. Many focus on early-career teachers who need mentoring. We’ve worked with hundreds of supply teachers across London since 2006, and watched them grow into confident educators.

Besides, expert support helps supply teachers negotiate better pay rates and find placements that suit their skills. These resources become invaluable when you’re working across different schools throughout the academic year.

Taking the Next Step in Your Teaching Journey

Contract teaching reshapes how you approach your career in education. You don’t have to choose between flexibility and professional growth anymore because supply work offers both.

And as we know now, schools across London need skilled educators. Based on that knowledge, agencies provide the support structure to help you succeed in these roles.

We’ve explored how contract positions accelerate skill development, build classroom confidence, and prepare you for permanent roles. The education sector relies on supply teachers to meet growing demand, and OTJR Online connects you with placements that match your goals.

Your teaching career deserves the right support from day one. We’ll take you through every step needed to build the career you want.

Learn UK classroom expectations before your first supply day in London.

How to Prepare for Your First Teaching Day in London

Posted on by

How to prepare for your first teaching day in London? Start by understanding UK classroom expectations and checking the school’s behaviour policy. Then, plan which rules you’ll establish from the moment pupils walk in. Most supply teachers skip this.

Walk in unprepared and pupils will test boundaries within minutes. What’s more, you’ll spend the rest of the day fighting for control. Bear in mind, London schools follow different behaviour systems, so what worked at your last placement often won’t apply.

We’ve placed hundreds of teachers across London since 2006. Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • Classroom rules and expectations in London schools
  • Setting boundaries from the first lesson
  • Common mistakes supply teachers make
  • Finding school requirements before starting

Let’s get you properly prepared for day one.

UK Classroom Expectations: What Supply Teachers Need to Know

UK classroom expectations centre on behaviour standards and learning routines,

UK classroom expectations centre on behaviour standards, learning routines, and immediate follow-through on rules. While schools follow behaviour policies, the way your classroom runs comes down to your management. Here’s what you need to know.

Behaviour Standards in London Schools

Schools have behaviour systems in place, but teachers set the actual tone. The one-voice rule dominates everywhere: when you speak, pupils listen, and when a pupil answers, everyone else listens too.

If someone talks while you’re teaching, stop immediately. London schools expect instant follow-through on this, so say you’ll move a pupil and then do it. Empty threats wreck credibility fast.

Learning Routines You’ll Encounter

Cold calling replaces hands-up in most classrooms now. This means any pupil might answer your question, keeping everyone alert throughout the lesson.

Whiteboards and talk partners happen daily, too, where pupils discuss answers together before sharing with the class. Reading aloud also happens across subjects, usually with questions following to check understanding.

But not every London school handles these expectations the same way.

London Schools and Their Classroom Rules

A school in Tower Hamlets runs differently from one in Richmond. Location and school structure determine how classroom rules work. Here’s what drives these variations.

Borough-Specific Policies

Inner London boroughs like Tower Hamlets tend to be stricter on mobile phones. Outer areas take a softer approach.

Some boroughs prefer restorative methods, meaning you talk through behaviour rather than giving detentions. Schools near high-deprivation areas often have extra pastoral support (and trust us, forgetting this on day one stings).

Multi-Academy Trust Variations

MATs maintain identical behaviour systems across their schools. This makes moving between placements easier. Larger trusts like Harris or Ark give specific frameworks to follow. Standalone schools let you adapt rules to suit your style.

Knowing this helps, but you still need clear rules from day one.

What Classroom Rules Should You Set on Day One?

Teacher setting the one-voice rule and respect basics.

Set the one-voice rule and respect basics. Everything else can wait. The benefit is that pupils know where they stand immediately. Research shows that classroom management impacts learning, so getting this right creates a positive learning environment.

The One-Voice Rule

Only one person speaks at a time. If someone talks while you’re explaining, stop completely. Don’t push through, hoping it settles.

Pupils need to see that you won’t budge. Practice it from the entry. If they walk in chatting, send them back until everyone gets the hang of things.

Respect and Kindness Basics

Use positive language from your first greeting and learn names fast. Make it clear that unkind comments won’t fly. No eye-rolling when someone answers.

Model the respect you’re asking for. Also, listen properly to pupil responses rather than just nodding along.

Once these rules stick, lessons become easier.

Night Before Preparation for Supply Teachers

Preparing the night before means checking the school’s behaviour policy, planning your seating arrangement, and rehearsing entry routines. After placing hundreds of supply teachers across London since 2006, we’ve learned this prep separates smooth days from chaotic ones.

Start with the school’s website to find their behaviour policy. Most London schools publish these online. Prepare a seating plan template next because you’ll need names within ten minutes. Think through your entry routine: how pupils enter, where they sit, and what they do during registration.

Walk through these steps mentally so everything feels familiar when they arrive.

Common Mistakes: Classroom Expectations in UK Schools

Most supply teachers assume they can use the same approach from their last school, but that’s when things go sideways. Let’s be real: what worked before rarely fits elsewhere. Schools follow Teachers’ Standards, but interpret expectations differently.

Assuming All Schools Operate Identically

Every behaviour system runs differently, so what worked before might not apply. We suggest you state your expectations clearly and ask the class teacher about unwritten rules. You won’t learn the ropes any other way.

Being Too Relaxed Initially

Friendly doesn’t mean soft, and pupils test boundaries within five minutes (we’ve watched this more times than we’d like to admit). You can relax rules later, but tightening up after being lenient is impossible. One ignored warning undermines everything.

Getting these right makes your week much smoother.

Where Can You Find School-Specific Classroom Expectations?

Teachers discssing the behaviour policies and staff handbooks.

School-specific expectations come from three places: behaviour policies, staff handbooks, and conversations with teachers. Supply teachers who ask early have smoother first days.

Most schools email their behaviour policy the day before. Some hand it over on arrival. Check the staff handbook during your first break because it often includes classroom rules not mentioned elsewhere.

Use break time to chat with permanent teachers in the staff room about school-specific quirks. Your agency consultant can also provide details from previous placements at that school.

Now that you know where to find everything, let’s wrap this up.

Your First Day Checklist

Your first teaching day goes smoothly when you nail three things: understanding classroom expectations, checking the behaviour policy early, and setting clear rules immediately. Review the school’s requirements the night before. Plan your seating arrangement. Think through how pupils will enter.

OTJR has worked with London schools since 2006, placing hundreds of supply teachers across the city. We give you school-specific briefings before each placement so you know what to expect when you arrive. We also match teachers with roles that suit their experience and teaching style.

Looking for supply teaching jobs in London? Join our registered team and let’s discuss opportunities that move your teaching career forward.

Simple Ways Supply Teachers Can Build Student Trust Fast

Simple Ways Supply Teachers Can Build Student Trust Fast

Posted on by

How do you earn respect from a room full of students who have never met you? Well, staying calm, setting clear routines, and showing interest in the students right from the start are a few ways you can make a good first impression and get their trust quickly.

But if you are a first-time supply teacher, we understand if you’re anxious about this. Because if things go wrong early, settling the class again can take time.

In this guide, we share practical supply teacher tips like these for making strong first impressions. You’ll learn how to stay calm, confident, and flexible, even after a short-notice booking or stressful commute.

We’ll start with the basic items that make your day easier from the moment you arrive.

What to Bring as a Supply Teacher: Essentials for Smooth Classroom Days

The best supply teachers carry a few reliable items, like spare pens, a ready-made starter task, stickers, and a simple reward chart, to help them connect with students and manage their behaviour from the start.

What to Bring as a Supply Teacher: Essentials for Smooth Classroom Days

Here are some practical tips to help you build your own supply kit.

Your Supply Bag Basics

Over time, we found that certain items are consistently useful for supply teachers. Pack these before your next supply booking:

  • Spare Pens, Whiteboard Markers, and Stickers: Students forget supplies (particularly pens or pencils) constantly, so taking spare pens will help you avoid wasting lesson time. The stickers are a must-have quick reward, especially if you’re teaching younger classes from Reception to Year 2.
  • Simple Ready-Made Lessons: Your own lesson plans for different subjects can save you in situations where the class teacher left with no plans. Trust us, this happens quite often. 
  • Behaviour Management Resource: You can use ready-made sets like behaviour charts, clip/peg charts, and reward posters to help you stay consistent with responses. These tools show the rules, routines, or consequences at a glance, so the students will know from the first minute what’s expected.
  • “About Me” Starter Sheets: If you’re anxious about making that first impression, we recommend these “About Me” starter sheets to help you introduce yourself in a friendly, structured way. Most students will respond positively to your genuine interest in getting to know them, too.

These items can fit easily into one bag. Just spend a bit of time prepping, and the day will feel much easier.

Structure Those First 15 Minutes

If you’ve taught for a while, you already know how important those first 15 minutes are for setting the tone.

We recommend starting with a short warm-up activity, like “word of the day” or a short reflection question about the previous lesson, to get the students focused.

Then you can go over the classroom routines and adjust them if needed, before going through the school’s behaviour rules in a friendly, approachable way.

Be Flexible Across Different Schools

Every school has different systems, students, and technology. Policies and school culture can also vary.

For example, some schools log homework online or expect silent independent work instead of group discussion. That’s why it’s important to quickly get a feel for the tone and informal rules.

Being flexible like this will help your supply teaching go smoothly.

Building Rapport: Supply Teacher Tips to Earn Trust Fast

Always remember that the students will cooperate more if they feel respected (not controlled). And if you can build a rapport with them early, it’ll make behaviour management easier and your day more enjoyable.

Building Rapport: Supply Teacher Tips to Earn Trust Fast

Let’s look at some simple ways you can earn trust quickly.

Build Respect Before Correcting

The fastest way you can gain respect is by showing the students you see them as individuals. Simple things, like calling students by name and showing interest in their work, can help and change how they respond to you.

You can also ask simple questions like “How was your weekend?” or “What did you think of that match last night?” These moments will show genuine interest and help the students lower their guard around you a little.

Of course, challenging behaviour will still happen, especially in senior years. When it does, resist the urge to raise your voice. You don’t want students to see you as reactive and put their guard up after you’ve worked so hard to build trust.

Instead, remain calm and address the issue quietly. This approach will also protect your energy for the rest of the school day.

Use Your Classroom Support

Teaching assistants are often your best source of insight on particular students or class routines. So, take a moment to introduce yourself and ask them what usually helps with this group.

The monitor or other confident students can also help you out. Try to identify the students who naturally take charge or follow rules well and use them to model expectations for the rest of the class. When other students see their respected classmates following instructions, they will follow along too.

Build Good Staff Relationships

Don’t forget to connect with the staff as well. You can stop by the staff room, say hello, and offer help when you can. A simple “thanks for the heads up” or “let me know if you need anything” is enough to make a positive impression.

If the staff enjoys working with you, they most likely will request you again. This is actually how most successful supply teachers build a steady stream of more work over time.

Leave a Positive Mark for Future Supply Bookings

Leave a Positive Mark for Future Supply Bookings

Now, how do you really make sure schools want you back?

The first step is to write a detailed note for the class teacher. Include what was covered, who did well, and any important behaviour notes so the regular teacher can pick up exactly where you left off. More importantly, this will show them that you care about continuity.

Before you leave, make sure to put things back in their place to leave a good impression. Also, take a moment to thank teaching assistants or other teachers who helped you adjust during the day.

This way, the schools will remember you as a supply teacher who was respectful, prepared, and easy to work with. These are the ones who get called back for more work.

Ready to find your next role? Visit OTJR Online to find supply teaching jobs in London and sign up with our team today.

Teacher Recruitment Process

Behind the Scenes of a Teaching Agency: What Happens After You Apply

Posted on by

You’ve sent off your application to a teaching agency and now you’re waiting. Maybe you’re refreshing your email every hour or wondering if your CV even made it through. Just like you, most aspiring teachers have no idea what happens after they click submit.

The truth is that teaching agencies run a surprisingly hands-on recruitment process that most candidates never see. And we know that understanding what happens behind the scenes can ease your anxiety and help you prepare better for each stage.

That’s why this article shows you the entire process of application review and ongoing support after you start teaching.

So let’s go backstage and see how education agencies actually operate.

What Happens When You Submit Your Application to a Teaching Agency?

Once your application lands at a teaching agency, a chain of checks, reviews, and matching steps begins almost immediately. Even though most candidates imagine that their CV is floating in a database, the process is far more active.

Even if they seem lax from the outside, they’re actually doing their job well, and over 80% of supply teachers in the UK find work through agencies.

Here’s what actually happens behind the scenes.

Your Profile Gets Reviewed by Real People

A recruitment consultant screens your qualifications and teaching experience first. Instead of an automated system that rejects you because you missed a keyword, a real person checks if you match current school vacancies in their network.

What Happens When You Submit Your Application to a Teaching Agency?

For example, if you’re a maths teacher with A-level experience, they’ll immediately flag your profile for secondary schools requesting exactly that. And most importantly, the teacher recruitment process starts the moment your application arrives, not when it’s convenient for them.

Background Checks and DBS Verification

The agency begins your DBS check and reference verification right away, because it’s the longest part of the process. They contact your previous schools to confirm employment and teaching performance.

Government agencies process your clearance while other necessary checks continue. All these run in the background while you’re doing phone interviews and meeting consultants. And it saves weeks off your timeline.

Your Details Go Into the Matching System

Your profile gets added to their candidate database with specific tags, like Netflix recommendations, but for teaching jobs. Schools access this system when seeking qualified candidates for positions. And the system alerts consultants when schools post jobs matching your skills.

For example, if a primary school in Manchester suddenly needs a Year 3 teacher who speaks Spanish, and that’s you, your consultant gets pinged within minutes. It’s a much faster system than refreshing job boards every morning.

How Does a Teaching Agency Match You With Insight Education?

Teaching agencies match you with schools through understanding your strengths, teaching style, and preferred environments. Then they compare those to the needs of partner schools. This makes sure that placements are where you can actually succeed, instead of temporarily filling a gap.

Take a look at the details on how they match your CV to send them to Insight Education.

They Analyse Your Teaching Style and Personality

Consultants assess if you’re a good fit for different school cultures. For example, some schools want teachers who follow the curriculum to the letter. But others prefer creative teachers who’ll try new things in the classroom.

That’s why agencies consider your classroom management approach and student engagement methods. Your interview reveals whether you suit traditional or progressive educational institutions. So that you can find schools where you’ll actually enjoy working and stick around longer than one term.

How Does a Teaching Agency Match You With Insight Education?

Your Consultant Prepares You for School Interviews

They share insight about the school’s values and important ethics. For instance, one school might care deeply about pastoral care while another focuses heavily on exam results.

Plus, you receive guidance on common interview questions and demonstration lesson expectations. The consultant explains the unique requirements each school looks for, specifically. This insider knowledge means you’re not walking in blind.

Location and School Culture Preferences Get Prioritised

Agencies only present schools that match your location and commute preferences. Because there’s no point interviewing for a job that takes 90 minutes each way (especially if you’ve got young kids at home).

That’s why they consider whether you want primary, secondary, or special education settings. For example, if you’re passionate about Montessori methods, they won’t waste your time with strict academies.

Supports You Get After Accepting a Placement

When you work with a teaching agency, you’re never left to figure things out alone. The support continues long after you start your first day. Agencies stay in contact to make sure your first few weeks go smoothly and to help resolve any classroom or timetable concerns.

Here are some types of support you’ll get after your placement.

Your Consultant Stays in Regular Contact

Your dedicated consultant checks in weekly during your first term of teaching. Instead of quick “how are you” texts, they genuinely want to know if the school matches what they promised during the interview.

They address any challenges you face with students or school staff. Let’s say you’re struggling with a particularly difficult Year 8 class, or the head of department isn’t giving you proper resources. Your consultant can actually step in and sort things out before they get worse.

Top talent doesn’t stick around with agencies that disappear after placement, so they work hard to keep you happy and supported throughout the year.

Free CPD Training Keeps Your Skills Current

Agencies give you online courses that cover safeguarding and classroom management techniques. Most teachers don’t realise this training comes at no cost to you. Rather, access to professional development helps you achieve qualified teacher status faster.

These courses actually teach you practical strategies you can use on Monday morning, and boost your teaching ability in the classroom. Good agencies invest in developing their teachers because it benefits everyone involved.

Supports You Get After Accepting a Placement

The Agency Handles Any Placement Issues

On top of this support, they also manage all paperwork between you and the school administration. If schools need cover teachers, the agency fills positions quickly. This means you might get offered extra days at schools you already know and like.

Your consultant assists with contract negotiations and ensures fair employment terms. One supply teacher told us that her agency spotted an error in her holiday pay calculation and got her an extra £400 back. That’s the kind of attention to detail that saves your day.

How Long Does Top Talent Take for the Teacher Recruitment Process?

The teacher recruitment process usually takes four to eight weeks, depending on your documents, subject specialism, and how quickly you respond to your agency. Some steps move faster during peak hiring seasons, while others (like DBS checks) take a fixed amount of time.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the typical timeline:

  • Initial application review: The initial application review is completed within three working days, and during busy hiring periods, it is often processed even faster.
  • Phone screening: Then, the phone screening is usually scheduled within one week and typically lasts 20-30 minutes to discuss your preferences.
  • DBS checks: After that, DBS checks usually take two to four weeks, depending on your address history, recent moves, or any time spent abroad.
  • School interviews: Finally, school interviews are arranged. It generally happens one to three weeks after you pass the phone screening.

Agencies work hard to match candidates faster during peak hiring in England. For instance, September and January start to see the quickest turnarounds because schools need teachers urgently.

The timeline also varies based on your subject specialism and location of interest. For example, top talent in high-demand subjects like maths move through faster. Secondary science teachers also get placed quickly because there’s a national shortage.

Note: Universities and independent schools may take longer because their interviews involve panels, governors, or trustees.

Your Next Steps in the Teacher Recruitment Process

Working with a teaching agency doesn’t have to feel like a mystery anymore. You now know exactly what happens from the moment you submit your application to the ongoing support you’ll receive months into your placement.

The entire recruitment process takes four to eight weeks on average, but that timeline speeds up when you respond quickly and stay flexible about locations.

Remember, good agencies offer more than just job placements. They provide interview preparation, CPD training, and someone to call when things get difficult at school.

So if you’re ready to start your teaching journey, research agencies that prioritise finding you the right job where you’ll want to stay and grow your career. And if you need more support on teaching jobs, visit OTJR Online.

Teacher CV Writing

How to Write a Teaching CV That Actually Gets Read

Posted on by

If you’ve been applying for teaching roles and hearing nothing back, you’re in the right place.

The problem is actually how you’re showing it on paper. Most teacher CVs look exactly the same because everyone follows the same basic format: listing duties but leaving out classroom achievements.

This guide will show you how to write a teacher CV that will grab attention. We’ll cover the key elements hiring managers look for, common mistakes to avoid, and simple ways to make your teaching experience stand out.

First, let’s go through your CV and see what you might be missing.

Essential Elements of a Strong Teacher CV

A strong teacher CV needs five main sections: personal details, educational history, work experience, core skills, and references. Each part plays a specific role in showing hiring managers why you’re the right fit for their school. Let’s break down what belongs in each section and how you can present it properly.

Essential Elements of a Strong Teacher CV

Personal Details

This is the first thing they’ll notice, so keep it simple and easy to read. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and teaching qualifications like QTS status. No need to include your full address (just your city will do fine). If you’re registered with the General Teaching Council or have special educational needs training, mention it here.

Educational History

Start with the basics you already know: list your most recent degree first, followed by earlier qualifications, including the university you attended and your graduation year. If your A levels relate to the teaching position you’re applying for, include those as well.

Don’t forget to add any ongoing professional development (like safeguarding courses or subject training), post-graduate studies and professional memberships. These details will show schools that you keep learning and care about teaching.

Work Experience

This section should present your teaching experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.

For each teaching role, include the school name, which subjects you taught, and what your main responsibilities were.

Here are some questions to jog your memory:

  • Did you plan lessons for Year 7?
  • Did you adapt your teaching for diverse learning styles?
  • Did you assess student progress and provide feedback?
  • Did you use any classroom technology or resources to improve learning?

If you’ve held leadership positions like head of department or coordinated extracurricular activities, we recommend mentioning them separately. Your prospective schools will see you as a responsible educator eager to contribute and continue growing in your career.

Core Skills

Now we’ll get to the abilities that will have the biggest impact in the classroom, like classroom management, lesson planning, assessment methods, and communication with students and parents. We recommend giving specific examples of how you use these skills.

For example, you can explain how you build a positive learning environment through hands-on activities or interactive resources.

Pro tip: Focus on matching your skills to what the job description asks for to make this step easier.

Teacher CV Tips: Make Your CV Relevant to Each School

Schools skip generic CVs because they don’t explain why you’re the right fit. That’s why we suggest going a step further and customising your teacher CV for each role and school. Don’t worry, you only need to focus on what’s most important for the specific teaching role you’re applying for. We’ll share how you can do that.

Teacher CV Tips: Make Your CV Relevant to Each School

Research the School

Before updating your CV, take time to understand the school’s values and priorities. The school’s website, Ofsted report, and their social media should tell you if they focus on inclusive classrooms, creative learning, or traditional teaching.

Once you know their values and teaching methodologies, you can adjust your teaching experience to reflect their priorities.

Education Agency Tips

Did you know that education agencies have insider knowledge about what schools want?

These agencies work directly with hiring managers and understand their priorities. So they know if a school values classroom management over extracurricular involvement, or if they need someone strong with special educational needs.

After placing teachers across London for nearly 20 years, we can say this insight gives candidates a significant advantage when competing against others.

Highlight Relevant Experience

Do you remember what we mentioned about core skills? You can be more specific and adjust which teaching experience you feature depending on the job.

Applying for a primary role? Talk about how you adapt lessons for diverse learning styles and build a positive learning environment with young people. Going for a secondary position? Focus on your subject knowledge and exam results.

If it’s a special educational needs role, you can lead with your SEN training and how you support students with different abilities. This will set you apart from candidates who will throw in their full work history and hope it catches their attention.

Use Keywords from Job Description

Finally, open the job description and circle the phrases they use repeatedly. If they mention “respectful learning environment” or “lesson planning,” you can use those exact words in your CV if they genuinely describe your experience (many schools scan CVs for these keywords before a human even reads them).

Pro tip: Add specific numbers to back up your claims. Instead of saying you’re good at engagement, write “increased student participation by 25% using interactive resources.” Using numbers this way will give hiring managers something concrete to remember about you.

Write a Teacher CV That Stands Out

Write a Teacher CV That Stands Out

So, does your current teacher’s CV tick these boxes, or does it need a bit of work?

We hope that following this guide will help you create a teacher CV that will get noticed by hiring managers instead of disappearing into the pile. Your teaching experience and classroom management skills deserve better than that.

Yes, tailoring your CV for each teaching job takes extra effort. But that’s exactly what separates teachers who get called for interviews from those who keep waiting by the phone.

Need help finding your next teaching role in London? Visit OTJR Online for support.

teaching abroad UK

Landing Your Dream Teaching Role Abroad

Posted on by

Every year, around 15,000 UK-trained teachers work abroad. At the same time, thousands of overseas teachers move to the UK for better career prospects.

Since the flow goes both ways, teaching in the UK isn’t overwhelming anymore. Especially when they actively recruit international teachers to fill gaps in secondary schools and primary education.

Drawing from our experience at OTJR Online with international recruitment, we’ve seen what works when it comes to visas, sponsorship, and landing teaching jobs. That’s why we are sharing this guide to tell you about:

  • Skilled worker visa requirements
  • Salary expectations across UK regions
  • Working without QTS for four years
  • Finding schools that sponsor overseas teachers
  • Documents needed before applying

Read on to learn the exact steps for securing your teaching role.

What Do Overseas Teachers Need to Work in the UK?

Overseas Teachers Need to Work in the UK

Overseas teachers need to work on three things: a skilled worker visa, a teaching qualification recognised by their home country, and a job offer from a school with a sponsor licence.

Here are the things explained briefly for your better understanding.

Skilled Worker Visa Requirements

If you want to teach abroad, you need a skilled worker visa. You can’t just plan and start working in UK schools without the proper immigration status.

Schools must have a sponsor licence to support your visa application. To be specific, not every school can sponsor you, so you’ll need to check before applying. The Home Office maintains a public register where you can verify which schools are licensed sponsors.

Sometimes, visa processing takes up to 15 working days from your biometric appointment. But you can pay extra for priority processing if you need the job sooner.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Explained

QTS proves you meet England’s teaching standards for maintained state schools. It’s the gold standard qualification that schools look for when hiring.

Many highly respected international schools prefer qualified teachers with QTS, too. Even though it’s legally not required to hire QTS holders, most still favour candidates who have it. However, non-UK teachers can work for four years before needing QTS.

You’ll learn more about this in a later section.

Schools that Sponsor Non-UK Teachers

Finding schools that are willing to sponsor your visa is easier than most overseas teachers expect, especially if you know where to look.

You can search on the Teaching Vacancies website, which filters teaching jobs that offer visa sponsorship at no cost. Usually, multi-academy trusts often sponsor more readily than individual maintained schools. However, independent schools establish their own salary scales, offering more flexibility.

According to the UK sponsorship and compliance update from 2025, schools pay £574 to £1,579 for their initial sponsorship licence, where a certificate of sponsorship costs £525 per qualified teacher.

Teaching Abroad in the UK: Salary Expectations

Teaching Abroad in the UK: Salary Expectations

The best part about UK teaching salaries is the transparency. They pay according to the national pay scale, which means you know exactly what you’ll earn before accepting any offer.

However, your salary varies according to different conditions, including:

Starting Salaries for Overseas Teachers

Qualified teachers begin with £32,000 outside London in maintained schools. That’s your baseline if you’re teaching in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, or Leeds.

However, international teachers without QTS earn slightly less during the exemption period. They’ll typically start around £20,000 to £25,000, depending on the region. This difference narrows when you have an assessment-only QTS.

Besides, experience from your home country sometimes increases your starting pay band. Schools have the freedom to recognise your previous teaching experience, though it’s not guaranteed (Worth negotiating during your job offer.)

London vs Outside London Pay

Inner London teachers earn a minimum salary of £36,000 as a starting, annually. The capital pays more because the cost of living demands it.

Meanwhile, outer London sits between inner London and national rates for teachers. You’ll typically see starting salaries around £33,000 in boroughs like Croydon or Barking. Frankly, your actual salary depends on the school type and negotiations with employers.

UK Teaching vs Middle East Opportunities

Whenever you’re planning for a UK teaching career, there is a big comparison with the Middle East. How? Well, Middle East teaching jobs often include free housing and tax-free salaries.

For example, the typical teaching opportunities in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can get you £22,000 to £44,000 with accommodation covered (you can even save after your monthly expenses).

Contrarily, UK roles offer permanent residency pathways and stronger employment protections. And after five years on a skilled worker visa, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. However, it’s worth noting that Middle East contracts rarely lead to citizenship.

Teaching in the UK Without QTS

Now, what happens if you don’t have QTS yet but want to start teaching in England right away? The following sections can answer this question.

The Four-Year Rule

As we’ve mentioned before, overseas-trained teachers can work without QTS for their first four years. This exemption gives you breathing room to settle into your teaching role.

But here’s the other condition: you’ll need a letter confirming your professional standing as a teacher. If you are from countries like Australia, Canada, and the USA, then you have straightforward systems for this. Others require more paperwork.

Quick Tip: Always plan upfront, don’t leave it till year three!

Assessment Only Route

Assessment-only QTS suits experienced teachers with two or more years of UK experience. You’ll have to demonstrate that your teaching skills meet English standards through classroom observation.

These costs range from £1,500 to £4,000, depending on your training provider (shop around, prices vary wildly between providers). You can work normally whilst being assessed by your training provider. There’s no need to take time off or reduce your teaching hours.

What Documents Do International Teachers Need?

Now that you know the visa and salary requirements, let’s cover the paperwork you’ll need to gather.

Safeguarding Checks

In the UK, all overseas teachers undergo enhanced DBS checks with the children’s barred list information. The Teaching Regulation Agency maintains this list of educators who are barred from teaching. It’s a legal requirement for schools to verify your name isn’t on it before you start any teaching role.

But these safeguarding checks happen only after you receive your conditional job offer. You can’t get a DBS certificate until a school sponsors you.

Getting Criminal Records from Your Home Country

You’ll need official criminal record checks from every country you’ve lived in. If you taught in Australia for three years, you’ll need an Australian police check alongside checks from your home country.

Some countries provide these through their embassies in the UK. For example, Canadian teachers can request RCMP checks through the High Commission in London, while American teachers use FBI background checks.

When you receive the criminal record, it must be certified if your documents aren’t in English. (Because schools won’t accept Google Translate versions.)

UK ENIC Statement of Comparability

UK ENIC confirms your teaching degree meets UK undergraduate degree standards. This organisation evaluates whether your qualifications are equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree.

This statement costs around £200 and takes about 15 working days. That’s why you apply early, since many schools want this before they make formal job offers to candidates.

Documents That International Teachers Need.

Where Are the Best Teaching Jobs in the UK?

According to our investigation, London advertises over 60% of all teaching vacancies in England, but regional schools often offer a better work-life balance.

Usually, London has the most teaching vacancies for overseas-trained teachers. The capital’s schools constantly recruit them to fill gaps in secondary schools and primary education.

For instance, Inner boroughs like Tower Hamlets are well-known for such recruitment. It also runs dedicated overseas recruitment campaigns, offering relocation support for newly arrived teachers. Newham and Hackney follow similar approaches.

Before securing permanent teaching jobs, many overseas teachers start as supply teachers, and London pays them £150 to £250 per day.

And for subjects, maths and science teachers find teaching jobs easily across all UK regions. These subjects remain in high demand always.

Remember, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have separate registration and visa rules since each country regulates teachers differently.

Getting Started with Teaching Abroad UK Applications

Teaching abroad in the UK becomes manageable when you understand skilled worker visa requirements, salary expectations, and qualified teacher status pathways.

Now, if you’ve gathered your documents and identified target schools, here’s how to start applying: register with teaching vacancies and filter for visa sponsorship job postings. And get your UK ENIC statement early, before applying seriously.

Looking for schools that actively recruit overseas teachers? OTJR Online specialises in placing international teachers in London schools offering visa sponsorship. Visit our site to explore current teaching opportunities for qualified teachers.

Teaching in London

The London Teacher’s Survival Kit: Settling In Without Losing Your Mind

Posted on by

Teaching in London puts you at the centre of world-class education, but you also have to be aware of what you’re walking into. The salary looks fine on paper until rent prices make you question your life choices.

Here’s the truth nobody mentions in recruitment materials. Thousands of non-UK teachers arrive each year, full of excitement, then spend weeks scrambling to work out why their salaries are vanishing into thin air. Some find their rhythm and love it, while others burn out before Christmas.

Which is why this guide covers all the practical tips that’ll help you settle and thrive in this role. We’ll walk you through:

  • Salary Scales
  • Finding Affordable Housing,
  • Sorting Administrative Tasks,
  • And Protecting Your Mental Health

Ready for the reality check? Grab your notebook, and let’s get you settled into London life!

What Do You Need to Sort Out in Your First Month?

You’ll need a UK bank account, National Insurance Number, and clarity on your qualified teacher status requirements before anything else.

The first few weeks in London will definitely feel like a blur of forms, queues, and deadlines. But once these basics are in place, everything else becomes easier.

What Do You Need to Sort Out in Your First Month?

UK Bank Account and National Insurance Number

You can’t get paid without a UK bank account and National Insurance (NI) Number. Schools can’t pay you without one, and it’s also needed for relocation reimbursements. The good news is digital banks like Monzo and Revolut process applications quickly (even before your jet lag wears off).

You can follow this timeline to work with:

Task

Timeline

Why It Matters

Open a UK bank account

Week 1

Required for salary payment

Apply for a NI Number

Week 1

Processing takes 4-8 weeks

Receive NI Number

Week 4-8

The school needs it for payroll

Set up direct debit

Week 2

Rent, bills, council tax

Pro tip: Apply for your NI Number the moment you arrive because processing takes several weeks minimum. Your school will ask for it, and you don’t want payroll chasing you down.

Qualified Teacher Status and the 4-Year Rule

Here’s something that catches many non-UK teachers off guard. You can teach in England for up to four years without Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This rule gives you time to settle before applying through the assessment-only route, which is ideal for teachers with at least two years of classroom experience.

Still, most English state schools prefer qualified teacher status for permanent jobs, though, so plan ahead. After four years, QTS becomes mandatory for maintaining school employment. So don’t let it sneak up on you.

International Relocation Payment Eligibility Requirements

If you’ve heard about a £10,000 relocation bonus, that ship has sailed. The pilot program for overseas teachers in physics and languages ended in May 2025, and no new applications are being accepted.

Eligible non-UK teachers in physics or languages received £10,000 total under the pilot scheme. The structure worked like this:

  • First payment: £5,000 after completing one term at a qualifying role
  • Second instalment: £5,000 on original start date anniversary
  • Eligibility: Physics or languages teachers only (priority subjects)
  • Status: Pilot ended May 2025, no new applications accepted

If you missed the window, you’re out of luck. But it’s still useful to know, as older guides may reference it.

Finding Affordable Housing In London

Your housing choice decides whether you’ll save money or end up living paycheque to paycheque. Rent will be your biggest expense, and getting it wrong can drain your salary fast.

That is why it’s important that you take your time with this decision. You should thoroughly research the area, calculate your actual transport costs, and prioritise your comfort. To help you with that, here’s a breakdown of how to find somewhere liveable without going broke.

Zone 2-3 Areas Worth Considering

You can forget Zone 1 unless you’ve got a secret fortune stashed under your pillow. However, areas like Stratford, Walthamstow, Clapham, and Finsbury Park balance rent and commute pretty well. So expect to pay around £800 to £1,200 a month for a room in a shared flat.

Central London costs double that, and yes, you’ll save time on commuting, but you’ll be eating beans on toast every night to afford it.

Let’s take a glance at the comparison:

Zone

Monthly Rent (Shared)

Commute Time

Zone 1

£1,500-2,500

15-20 minutes

Zone 2-3

£800-1,200

30-40 minutes

Zone 4-5

£600-900

50-60 minutes

So before you sign anything, check where your school is located and plan your commute. London transport looks simple until the expenses add up when you’re crossing half the city twice daily.

Flatsharing Without Losing Your Mind

SpareRoom is your best friend for finding house shares near your school. You can filter by travel time to any Tube station, and it will make life easier. If you’re moving with a partner, splitting rent between two people can make London surprisingly manageable.

Flatsharing Without Losing Your Mind

Try to avoid live-in landlords unless you’re desperate, though. It limits your privacy and personal space in ways that wear you down over time.

Budgeting tip: Ensuite rooms cost £200 to £400 more each month, but reduce the bathroom-sharing problem considerably. It’s worth it if you value your morning routine and a bit of peace before facing thirty students!

How Can You Avoid Burning Out?

Teaching in London pushes even the best of us to our limits. Half of all education staff say the job takes a toll on their well-being, and trying to power through on caffeine and determination only works for so long.

You might feel fine for the first term, maybe even the first year, but burnout creeps up quietly. By the time you notice it, you’re already struggling to get out of bed on Monday mornings.

So we recommend you read this section and look after yourself before the stress piles up.

Education Support Partnership Helpline

You’re not alone when things get overwhelming, and there’s zero shame in reaching out. Education Support runs a free 24/7 helpline at 08000 562 561 for all teachers nationwide. They handle everything from financial worries to mental health crises, and it’s completely confidential. Even if it’s 3 am, they’ll still pick up.

Money-Saving Habits That Preserve Your Sanity

London’s food prices can eat your salary faster than you can eat the food. But here are a few smart habits that make a real difference:

  • Shop at Aldi or Lidl: Cut grocery bills by 30-40% compared to Waitrose
  • Go late in the evening: Grab discounted items expiring the next day across London
  • Meal prep on Sundays: Saves £15-40 daily on restaurant lunches near school
  • Use student discount apps: yes, UNiDAYS often works for new teachers.

Free Activities Worth Your Time

The best parts of London don’t always cost money. You can always spend a weekend wandering through the Tate, the V&A, or Hyde Park. Walk the Thames. You can also explore street markets, or just find your favourite café and people-watch for hours.

These free activities are budget-savers and sanity-savers at the same time. When you’re spending all week managing behaviour and marking essays, you need something that reminds you why you moved to London in the first place.

So find your rhythm with the city outside of work. Maybe it’s Sunday mornings at Borough Market, or evening walks along the South Bank, or getting lost in the British Museum on a rainy afternoon. Whatever it is, make it a habit before the job consumes everything.

It’s the small moments that keep the city from swallowing you whole.

What Are the Real Costs of Teaching in London?

London teachers earn more than the rest of England, but rent and transport swallow most of the difference. Think of it like getting a raise only to discover your new flat costs exactly that much extra.

The numbers look appealing when you’re comparing salaries on paper, especially if you’re coming from outside the UK. But what matters is how much money you have left at the end of the month after rent, council tax, transport, and groceries.

Here’s a summary of what your actual budget will look like once you start working.

Salary Scales Across London Zones

Inner London teachers earn £38,766 to £49,084 on the main pay range annually. That sounds solid until you compare it to living expenses around you.

Outer London ranges roughly £35,500 to £46,001, and London Fringe sits around £32,700 to £44,615. Also, it depends on your experience and whether you work at an academy.

The higher pay for inner London does help cover costs, but honestly, it’s like using a teaspoon to bail out a leaking boat. The extra money is nice, just not as much as you’d hope.

Where Your Money Actually Goes

Rent will be your biggest drain. Expect to pay between £1,200 and £2,500 per month for a room or small flat, depending on the zone and whether you share. After that, council tax, utilities and National Insurance take another big bite out of your paycheck.

Where Your Money Actually Goes

Your typical monthly outgoings might look like this:

  • Groceries: £150–250 if you shop smart
  • Transport: £120–250, depending on zones and commute
  • Eating out / coffee: £15–40 per meal adds up fast
  • Council tax: £100–200 depending on borough and band

First-year teachers typically earn £31,650 to £38,766 before deductions. Do the maths carefully before signing a contract so you know whether the job actually covers living in the area you want.

Making London Work For You

Teaching in London will stretch your budget and your patience. But many teachers from around the world still find their rhythm here. The difference between flourishing and packing up within a year comes down to preparation and support, not luck.

The most important part is to get the basics sorted early. Remember to open your bank account and apply for your NI Number as soon as you land. Then look for housing in Zones 2 or 3 before signing anything. And, keep the Education Support helpline number handy for the rough days.

London schools desperately need skilled teachers, and you can be the successful candidate who survives and actually enjoys living here. Yes, the rent might sting, and the first few weeks will test you, but once you find your footing, the city starts to feel like home.

Teaching in London

What Overseas Teachers Need to Work in London

Posted on by

Teaching in London means having the right qualifications, securing a work visa, and finding a school to sponsor you. Along with that, you’ll need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or be able to show you’re working towards it. Most teaching positions require a Skilled Worker visa, which your employer handles.

Here’s what trips people up: the application process has multiple steps. One wrong form delays everything by weeks. Many teachers feel lost figuring out which qualifications count.

This article breaks down what you need before applying for jobs in London. We’ll cover qualifications, QTS, visas, and the roles you can apply for.

Let’s look at why schools across London want overseas teachers.

Why London Schools Welcome International Teachers

Schools across London face ongoing teacher shortages, and they’re actively looking for qualified educators from overseas. This creates real opportunities for teachers ready to relocate.

The reasons schools welcome international applicants include:

  • Subject shortages: Maths, science, and modern languages have the most vacancies right now. If you teach one of these subjects, schools might fast-track your application because they’ve been searching for months to fill these roles.
  • Diverse perspectives matter: London classrooms have students from over 300 different language backgrounds. Along with that, teachers from other countries bring fresh viewpoints that help students see the world differently. It makes learning richer for everyone in the class.
  • Competitive pay: You’ll earn between £30,000 and £50,000 per annum based on your experience and where the school is located. Most positions include pension contributions, and some schools even help with housing costs during your first year.
  • Career progression: Starting as a classroom teacher doesn’t mean you’ll stay there forever. For example, many international teachers move into head of department roles, take on leadership responsibilities, or mentor newly qualified teachers within a few years.
  • City experience: London gives you access to world-class museums, theatre, and history on your doorstep. Thus, we recommend that you spend your weekends exploring Borough Market, catching West End shows, or taking quick trips to other parts of England.

Now that you know why schools want you, let’s talk about what qualifications open those doors.

Qualifications That Open Doors for Teaching in London

Teacher with diploma

Schools in London want to know three things about your background before they consider your application. Yes, your teaching credentials from home likely meet their standards, but understanding what they look for helps you prepare better.

Here’s what schools check when they review applications from overseas teachers:

Your Teaching Degree and Experience

A bachelor’s degree with teacher training is the baseline requirement. If you have a specific degree plus a postgraduate teaching certificate, that works too. Schools usually prefer at least one year of classroom experience.

Some positions welcome teachers fresh out of training, but more years of experience open doors to better-paying roles. For example, a teacher with five years of experience might start at a higher salary band than someone just beginning their career.

Subject Specialism Requirements

Secondary school positions focus on specific courses. If you teach maths, science, or languages, you’ll find plenty of vacancies waiting. However, primary teachers need experience across multiple study areas instead.

Bear in mind, the demand varies by subject, so maths and science teachers often have more options. Schools also value teachers who can lead extracurricular activities related to their subject expertise.

English Language Proficiency

UK schools need proof that you can communicate well in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 or above usually works. Other recognised tests are fine as well.

Meanwhile, teachers who studied in English or come from English-speaking countries often skip this step. Some schools accept alternative evidence, like references from previous employers confirming your language skills.

Once you’ve ticked these boxes, the next step involves getting your official UK teaching status.

Getting Your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Teacher celebrating Qualified Teacher Status in London

Qualified Teacher Status is your official licence to teach in England’s state schools. Without it, most schools won’t hire you for permanent positions, though some independent schools make exceptions.

The QTS shows you meet UK teaching standards. It covers things like classroom management, lesson planning, and student assessment. If you trained outside the UK, you’ll need to apply for QTS recognition through the Teaching Regulation Agency.

The application is simpler than it sounds: you submit your qualifications, and they review whether your training matches UK standards. Sadly, teachers from countries like Australia, Canada, or New Zealand usually have their qualifications accepted without much fuss. The whole assessment takes a few weeks to finish in most cases.

Don’t worry if this sounds complicated. Many overseas teachers go through the same process every year, and agencies like OTJR can guide you through the paperwork. Some teachers even start in temporary roles while waiting for their QTS approval to come through.

You’ve got the qualifications, and soon you’ll have your QTS sorted. But how do you get permission to work in the UK?

Visa Pathways for Overseas Teachers

teacher reviewing visa paperwork with passport and laptop

The visa process worries most overseas teachers when it doesn’t have to be. Many don’t know that your school handles most of the heavy lifting once it decides to hire you.

The main route for teachers coming to work in England involves three components:

Skilled Worker Visa for Teachers

This is the visa you’ll need for full-time teaching positions. Teachers qualify because of the UK’s shortage occupation list in many areas.

Also, your salary must meet the minimum threshold, which is usually £30,000 per annum or the going rate for your position, whichever is higher. Plus, this visa allows you to work for up to five years initially.

What Your School Needs to Sponsor You

Schools must have a sponsor licence to hire overseas teachers. Most established schools in London already have this sorted. They’ll issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship, which is basically a reference number you use in your visa application.

Basically, your employer pays a sponsorship fee as part of bringing you on board.

Timeline and Costs to Expect

According to the official UK Government guidance, visa applications typically take three weeks once you submit everything. You’ll pay £769 if your visa is up to three years, or £1,519 for longer periods.

There’s also an immigration health surcharge of £1,035 per year, giving you access to the NHS. For a two-year visa, expect total costs around £2,839, plus you’ll need £1,270 in your bank account to prove you can support yourself initially.

With visa requirements clear, you’ll want to consider which teaching position matches your goals.

Full-Time Roles vs Support Roles: Which Suits You?

Not all teaching positions in London look the same, and understanding the differences helps you choose what fits your situation best.

Here’s what you need to know about your options:

Full-Time Permanent Positions

These roles give you stability and a consistent income throughout the school year. You’ll work at one school, teach the same classes, and build relationships with students over time.

Though salaries vary based on your experience and location within London, most permanent positions include benefits like pension contributions, paid holidays, and professional development opportunities.

It’s a fact that schools often provide more support for visa sponsorship when hiring for a permanent position.

Support Roles and Supply Teaching

Supply work offers flexibility if you’re not ready to commit to one school yet. You might work at different schools each week, covering for absent teachers or filling short-term vacancies.

In this case, the pay is usually calculated per day rather than an annual salary. Many overseas teachers start with supply work to get familiar with the UK education system before applying for permanent positions. It’s also a good way to network and find schools where you’d like to work long term.

The choice depends on what you value more right now: stability or flexibility. Either path can lead to a rewarding teaching career in London.

Ready to Start Your London Teaching Journey?

Moving to London as an overseas teacher is more than possible when you know what’s required. You’ll need the right qualifications, your QTS sorted, and a valid work visa. Even though the process takes effort, thousands of international teachers make it happen every year.

The key is having support along the way. OTJR works with overseas teachers to find positions that match their skills and experience. We help with the application process, connect you with schools actively hiring, and guide you through visa requirements.

Our team understands what international teachers need because we’ve helped hundreds make the transition successfully. So, if you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch with us today.

Turn Supply Work Into a Full-Time Teaching Opportunity

How to Turn Supply Work Into a Full-Time Teaching Opportunity

Posted on by

The shift from supply to a full-time teacher happens more often than you’d expect. Schools regularly hire permanent teachers from their supply pool. Why? Head teachers see your real classroom skills every day.

That’s not the whole story, though. You need specific strategies to build the right reputation and network naturally. Most supply teachers miss these opportunities completely.

Today we’ll cover:

  • Simple ways to make schools remember you
  • Natural networking that actually works
  • Why your SEN experience gives you an edge
  • Application tricks that show your real value

Keep reading to learn how smart supply teachers land permanent roles and build successful teaching careers.

Small Actions That Make Schools Remember You

We are all aware that reputations aren’t built overnight. It also doesn’t come from dramatic performances at the front of the classroom. Reputations are built through consistent, thoughtful actions that stick in people’s minds, and because of that, supply teachers often get called back.

Let’s cut to the chase, here are some of the habits that turned short placements into long-term opportunities:

Arrive Ready When Others Wing It

Schools notice who walks in prepared.

Arriving early, checking the timetable, and setting up the classroom before pupils arrive shows you’re serious about your role. It also gives you time to familiarise yourself with resources, which makes lessons run more smoothly.

Teachers who look ready before the bell earn instant trust from colleagues.

Handle Difficult Situations With Grace

Every classroom has its stressful situations. A student might test boundaries, or a lesson plan may not work for the group. When this happens, the calm supply teacher who redirects energy and keeps learning on track gets noticed. Staff remember these adaptable teachers because they know that skill is rare.

Leave Detailed Notes for Permanent Staff

Permanent teachers return expecting to know what happened in their absence. When you prepare notes on student progress, behaviour, and resources used, it shows you respect their work. Mentioning how certain kids responded, which tasks were completed, and what support might still be needed helps create proper continuity.

Here’s a pro tip: make a simple PowerPoint presentation with visuals and details to give the permanent teacher a heads-up. Such an approach makes the handover much smoother for everyone involved. Also, head teachers notice when supply staff contribute to seamless transitions rather than leaving gaps.

Volunteer for Extra Duties Without Being Asked

Covering a lunch break or offering to support students who need extra guidance leaves a strong impression. It shows you see yourself as part of the school community rather than a visitor. One teacher we worked with was offered a permanent role after a head praised her for always stepping in at busy times without complaint.

These simple, everyday actions show reliability and professionalism without extra supervision. Take my suggestion as someone running a school, that is exactly what I would look for. Not to forget that these characteristics lay the groundwork for career progression, especially when repeated consistently across many different schools.

Primary vs Secondary Teacher: Adapting Your Supply Approach

We have covered the habits that get you the permanent seat, but tackling different school cultures is no joke. For instance, primary schools. A Year 2 classroom runs on warmth, routine, and constant reassurance, while a GCSE science session demands focus and subject depth. Supply teachers who recognise these differences and adapt quickly get noticed.

From our experience in the education sector, those working across many different schools learn to notice cultural cues fast. Conversations in the staffroom, displays in corridors, and the way lessons begin all reveal what a school values. Once you pay attention to these signals, you will be able to blend in, gain trust, and build career progression opportunities in education.

As important as learning cultural cues, equally important is being able to naturally network across schools.

Natural Networking That Opens Doors

Natural Networking That Opens Doors

Most educators dislike the word “networking” because it sounds like business jargon. In schools, connections grow out of everyday moments. When supply teachers make themselves approachable and helpful, staff remember them, and the word soon spreads across schools.

Look at the situations where small actions create lasting impressions:

  • Morning briefings: A quick question or short update shows you’re engaged with the day ahead.
  • Break time chats: Simple conversations about lessons, school life, or the upcoming weekend often lead to genuine relationships.
  • Busy periods: Staff notice the person who steps in during exams or inspections without being asked.
  • Sharing resources: Offering a worksheet that worked well in your classroom demonstrates generosity and collaboration.
  • Positive presence in meetings: A thoughtful comment at the right time can show your professionalism and experience.

We’ve seen supply teachers secure full-time roles simply because staff felt they were easy to work with. Believe it or not, real networking in education is about being the colleague people want on their team.

With the cat out of the box, let’s discuss Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Special Educational Needs: Your Secret Weapon

Schools face an ongoing challenge of meeting the diverse needs of pupils with SEN. But wait, there is more to it. In January 2025, over 1.7 million school pupils in England were identified as having SEN. Gov.uk stats show this is a growing trend. What does this mean in particular, though? With so many students needing extra support, a supply teacher who can step in confidently earns respect quickly. From our experience, SEN ability often tips the balance when head teachers decide who to hire full-time.

These areas of expertise matter most:

  1. Behaviour management: A calm voice and steady presence stop situations from getting worse. Teachers who set clear but fair boundaries show they can guide a class back on track without losing focus.
  2. Support for learning difficulties: Breaking tasks into smaller parts or using practical examples helps every student take part and make visible progress. Over time, this support allows children to work towards their full potential.
  3. Awareness of sensory needs: A flickering light, noisy corridor, or crowded classroom can overwhelm certain students. Try spotting these signs early and adjusting the environment.
  4. Clear communication: Short instructions, paired with visual aids, make lessons easier to follow. This gives children the confidence to respond and reduces frustration.
  5. Crisis response: Emergencies demand calm action. Acting with composure reassures staff and parents while keeping children safe. Schools often remember the supply teacher who handled a crisis with professionalism.

Teachers with these skills get remembered. Schools really need educators who can help SEN students well. Show your strength here, and it speeds up your career growth.

From Daily Supply to Long-Term Contracts

From Daily Supply to Long-Term Contracts

The phone rings with an unexpected question: “Can you stay another week?”

For a supply teacher, this is often the point where casual cover begins to shift into something bigger. One week can grow into three, and soon the school is asking whether you’d consider a more permanent role.

During these extensions, how you perform counts. So, make sure you treat extensions as if you’re already in full-time teaching. Plan lessons carefully, learn pupils’ names, and track their progress with consistency. This extra effort proves you can manage more than a single day in the classroom.

Long-term supply is also when head teachers start watching more closely, for example, they’ll notice how you manage behaviour, build relationships, and contribute beyond your own class. These are the signs schools look for before offering permanent teaching jobs.

What begins as temporary supply work can become the clear next step towards stability and long-term growth in education.

Supply Experience That Transforms Applications

Show off your skills properly so your application gets noticed

A common mistake supply teachers make is underplaying the value of their work. Think about it this way: moving between lots of schools gives you teaching experience that permanent staff never get. Since you already have the skills, all you need now is to talk about them properly so your application gets noticed.

We can help you with that. Follow these ways to show off your skills, and you are set for life:

Share Your Supply Success Stories

Avoid simply listing where you’ve worked. Explain how you managed classrooms, supported students, and adapted lessons at short notice. Your stories show schools that you bring flexibility and real teaching experience, not just cover hours.

Highlight Adaptability in Interviews

Head teachers want proof you can handle pressure. So, talk about times you dealt with difficult behaviour or built trust with a class you’d just met. Such examples show you already have the skills they’re looking for.

Build References That Carry Weight

References from head teachers who saw you in action often speak louder than a qualification on paper. When paired with your qualified teacher status or continuous professional development, they show both proven ability and a commitment to growth.

Remember, schools take notice when supply teachers link their past roles directly to career progression. By framing your history as evidence of reliability and readiness, you can turn supply work into a clear pathway towards full-time teaching.

Securing Your Permanent Teaching Position

A simple compliment can boost your confidence. But nothing beats the moment when a head teacher asks, “Would you like to join us permanently?” That’s it. You have earned it, and you know that all your hard work has paid off.

This moment proves that people have been watching and appreciating what you do. Since the school already knows what you bring to the table, you can talk about the role with real confidence.

At OTJR Online, we’ve seen this turning point countless times. Supply teachers we’ve supported across London often reach it after showing consistency, adaptability, and a clear commitment to education.

When that permanent offer comes through, it feels different. Yes, you’ve got job security now, but there’s something bigger: you can actually start planning your teaching future. Full-time teachers also have the satisfaction of guiding pupils’ progress over the years.

As you prepare for your next steps, remember to recognise your worth and always keep career progression in mind. Contact us today and take your final step with confidence. Build a career you’re proud of.

Teaching Tech Tools in 2025

Essential Classroom Tech Tools Every Modern Teacher Should Know

Posted on by

Three different schools, three different learning management systems, and you still haven’t figured out how to make technology work for you instead of against you.

Every teacher knows this struggle well. Too many apps to manage, WiFi that doesn’t work, and making your own materials because you can’t find what you need.

The workload keeps growing while your energy keeps shrinking.

In this guide, we’ll show you the essential teacher tech tools in 2025 that actually solve real classroom problems, so you can focus on teaching instead of troubleshooting digital chaos.

We’ll cover:

  • Tools that save hours every week
  • Google Classroom setup in 5 minutes
  • Free content that actually works
  • Apps that engage any class instantly
  • Making tech work in any school

We’ve helped hundreds of teachers across London master their digital toolkit using these proven strategies. These educators now report smoother lessons and better work-life balance.

It’s time to discover how the right technology changes your teaching experience.

Why Digital Learning Transforms Your Teaching Day

Transforming education sounds grand, but let’s be honest. You just want to get through your day without the usual chaos. Most educators juggle too many apps and spend evenings creating resources from scratch. Sometimes they end up feeling like the workload never stops growing.

Have you thought about going smart? Let me explain what changes when you choose smart digital learning tools:

Reclaim Your Evenings

Stop wasting your weekends planning lessons and marking assignments (teachers deserve to rest, too). The right technology handles these routine tasks automatically, which gives teachers back precious time for actual instruction and rest.

Well, how does this work in practice? Okay, let me explain this to the point. Automated grading systems process quiz results in seconds, not hours of red pen marking.

Meanwhile, digital lesson plans adapt to any subject with minimal tweaking, so you’re not starting from scratch every time. Teachers, including myself, have tried this setup, and we ended up gaining 5-7 hours weekly time to ourselves.

Connect With Every Student

Teachers usually have one quiet child in class that they struggle to deal with. Well, no more struggling! Video response tools give the quiet ones a voice they’re comfortable using. On the flip side, the restless ones suddenly focus for entire lessons when interactive AI platforms grab their attention.

These aren’t isolated success stories either. Digital approaches reach visual learners through videos, auditory learners through recordings, and hands-on learners through interactive content. All within the same lesson.

The result is simple: students engage differently when learning becomes interactive rather than passive listening.

Walk Into Any Classroom Ready

Picture walking into your fourth different school this month. You are having to adjust to everything from scratch again. This scenario can be terrifying, but not when you have your personal tech toolkit ready to go.

Your familiar digital tools work regardless of the school’s setup. While other teachers scramble to understand new platforms, you simply open your trusted apps and start teaching. Supply teachers tell us this confidence boost transforms their entire approach to new classroom environments.

But which specific tools actually deliver on these promises? Google Classroom handles the backbone of digital classroom management, so let’s explore how it works in practice.

Google Classroom: Your Portable Teaching Hub

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is the universal solution for teachers for managing digital chaos without losing their minds. Most classroom management platforms promise everything but deliver confusion. Don’t worry, this works. The difference becomes obvious once you start using it regularly.

Key Benefits:

  • 5-minute setup process for any subject (seriously, that’s all it takes)
  • Works offline when school WiFi inevitably crashes, syncing later automatically
  • Automatically sorts student submissions so you’re not hunting through emails
  • Plays nicely with existing school systems instead of fighting them

The real magic takes place when you realise the efficiency this brings to your teaching routine. Simply create lesson plans once, duplicate them for different classes, and watch students turn work in on time.

No more chasing down missing assignments or dealing with “the printer wasn’t working” excuses.

For supply teachers, Google Classroom becomes your portable office. Walk into any school with everything you need stored safely in the cloud. Your lessons, resources, and student communication all live in one simple interface. This approach makes digital classroom management foolproof.

Khan Academy: Ready-Made Brilliant Lessons

Khan Academy

On any occasion, have you been assigned to teach a subject you haven’t thought about since university? Always gave me big scares until Khan Academy happened.

Last month, a supply teacher, in the same shoes as me, walked into a Year 8 science lesson about photosynthesis with zero preparation. The regular teacher had left vague notes, and 30 restless students were already asking questions she couldn’t answer.

Within minutes of opening Khan Academy, she found interactive diagrams, clear explanations, and practice exercises that helped her dive into teaching the class instantly. The lesson shifted from a potential disaster to a genuine learning success.

Khan Academy covers 95% of the UK curriculum topics with content created by actual experts. But, how does this help you? Well, students get learning that adapts to their pace automatically. Meanwhile, you access ready-made resources for any subject without the usual prep work.

The content works for different ability levels, too! So, differentiation becomes simple instead of stressful.

Covering fractions for Year 3? Khan Academy has you sorted. Teaching Shakespeare for GCSE? Same story. Quality lessons wait at your fingertips, removing the fear of unfamiliar topics.

Expert-created content supports you every time you enter unfamiliar teaching territory. But having great content is just the first step. Next comes making sure students successfully engage with it.

Four Apps That Save Difficult Lessons

Every teacher knows that moment when Plan A fails and you need a Plan B. Technology can either save the day or make things worse.

So how do you ensure it helps instead of hurts? Smart teachers keep these four apps ready for exactly these moments. Each one transforms difficult classes into engaged learners:

1. Kahoot: Quiz Magic That Works Every Time

Creates instant competition that even backbenchers want to join. The beauty lies in its simplicity. The three-minute setup delivers guaranteed participation from your most challenging class. You simply create questions, students use their phones to answer, and the leaderboard updates in real time.

The competitive element works because students see their ranking change with every correct answer. Even the quietest learners get drawn into the excitement when they climb the scoreboard. With this approach, revision sessions are no longer dull and quiet.

2. Padlet: Collaboration Made Easy

Moving beyond individual competition, this digital wall lets every student contribute ideas simultaneously. Also, eliminates awkward silence during discussions.

Perfect for brainstorming sessions that work.

3. ClassDojo: Instant Classroom Calm

When collaboration isn’t enough and you need behaviour management, this point system provides immediate feedback that students actively respond to. Best of all, visual tracking calms disruptive classes within minutes.

4. Flipgrid: Video Confidence Builder

Many students struggle with verbal participation. This video’s responses offer a private way for quiet learners to find their voice. Because it’s recorded privately, communication skills improve without the fear of speaking publicly.

Such AI tools solve classroom problems without creating new headaches. The features work intuitively, so students focus on learning instead of figuring out technology. When standard teaching methods hit a wall, these tools provide the breakthrough you need.

Making Teaching Tech Tools Work Everywhere

Supply Teachers making Teaching Tech Tools work everywhere

Every school has different rules about technology, but smart teachers adapt rather than surrender.

Some schools block social media platforms, others restrict downloads, and a few still operate with outdated systems that make modern teaching feel impossible. What works is preparing for these limitations ahead of time.

My suggestion is to use these strategies to make any tool work in any environment:

Smart Workarounds:

  • Download offline versions before arriving at new schools
  • Use mobile data as backup when WiFi fails completely
  • Master 3 tools really well rather than 10 poorly
  • Always prepare non-tech alternatives for complete failures
  • Check school policies during your first break, not mid-lesson
  • Save login details in your phone’s password manager for quick access

Technology should adapt to your teaching style, not dictate it. When schools limit access to certain AI platforms, your backup plans keep lessons running smoothly.

Supply teachers, in particular, benefit from this flexible approach, as every school environment presents different challenges and opportunities.

We have convinced you that these tools matter. But where do you start implementing them?

Getting Started With Your Teaching Tech Toolkit

The best teaching toolkit in the world won’t help if it stays on this page. Action beats perfection every time; you must have heard it. So, it’s true that your digital confidence grows through practice, not endless planning.

Start with Google Classroom this week by setting up one simple class. Next week, explore Khan Academy for your toughest subject. By week three, try one engagement app during difficult lessons. This approach prevents overwhelm while building real skills.

At OTJR Online, we understand how supply teachers handle different school environments. Our team provides ongoing support to help you build confidence with digital tools and teaching placements.

Contact us today to learn how our London teaching opportunities can help you practice these skills in supportive school communities.