Teaching in the UK

Education in the UK has seen a great many changes in recent times. The Education Reform Act in 1988 introduced major changes in the British Education System, which included the introduction of a National Curriculum and national testing.

The Department of Education and Employment (Dfee) was the central government office responsible for education in England. During June 2001 the Prime Minister of England announced the restructuring of the Department for Education and Employment to form a new Department to be called the Department for Education and Skills. This department will now have the responsibility for education, training and life-long learning. The aim of this department is to improve the standards in the education system.

This page provides you with some general information about:

How the schools are structured.

Primary Schools in England educate children from 5-11 years of age. However, there is a stage of pre- schooling that many children attend. This is in the form of a pre-school or nursery school in which many children are enrolled soon after their third birthday. In the Primary sector it is common to have separate Nursery (3-5 year olds), Infant (5-7 year olds) and Junior (8-11 year olds) schools.

Secondary schools provide education for 11 - 18 year olds. The post 16 age group may also be catered for in a sixth form college.

The National Curriculum     

Schools in the UK teach to a National Curriculum which determines the content of what will be taught, and sets attainment targets for learning. It also determines how performance will be assessed and reported. It is divided into 4 stages known as Key Stages.

• Key stage 1 covers the infant curriculum for reception - year 2.
• Key Stage 2 covers the junior curriculum for years 3 - 6
• Key Stage 3 covers the lower secondary curriculum for years 7 - 9
• Key Stage 4 covers the senior secondary curriculum for years 9 - 11

Pupils sit National Tests (SAT's) in English, Mathematics and Science at or near the end of the first 3 key stages (at ages 7, 11 and 14). These tests are set externally and marked to nationally applied standards.

At the end of Key Stage 4, students (age 16) sit examinations for the GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education). Results in these exams determine the type of course to be undertaken following Key Stage 4.

GCSE 'A' Level exams are normally taken at age 18 by those students who wish to qualify for entry to higher education. These are the main route to University.

The School Year

The school year, which is divided into three terms, commences in the first week of September and finishes in the third week of July. Each term has a one week mid term break, which is an ideal time for a trip away. There are 195 working days in a school year, five of which are set aside for in-service training and staff development activities.

Detailed below is a guide to the term and holiday dates to help when planning your arrival in the UK. Most positions will commence at the beginning of a term so it is advisable that you be available to start work on the first day of a term. We do have some positions which become available for a mid term start.

Autumn term: first week in September until third week in December, with the half term break late October.
Christmas Holiday (2 weeks)

Summer term:Summer term: mid April until third week in July with the half term break in late May or early June.
Summer holiday (six weeks)

Schools vary enormously in resources available. Although you won't have room in your luggage for many of your own resources, you will find it useful to take with you some personal textbooks and favourite units of work. The Internet is a great online resource for teachers. You will find some useful links on the TEACH UK Resource page. Both staff and students in the UK are extremely interested in Australia and New Zealand so a few pieces of 'Australiana' or 'Kiwi Spirit' won't go astray: eg. Posters and brochures from your tourist bureau, National Flag, Videos of sporting events - Aussie Rules, Rugby etc.

Once in the UK, you can gain support through professional teaching associations. Click here  to visit their websites and you will not only find information about what they, as associations can offer, but also a wealth of online resources.