Jobs at Harrow's Schools

Overseas trained teachers (OTTs) seeking work in Harrow

Teachers trained inside the European Area are likely to have automatic UK qualified teacher status recognition (QTS). Contact the General Teaching Council for England (GTCe) to register and to gain written confirmation of QTS. To work as a teacher in England you must register and pay an annual GTCe fee.

Teachers trained outside the European Area
Those who've trained outside the European Area don't gain automatic UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The GTCe decides on the qualifying process. Tel: 0870 001 0308 From October 2009 all OTTs must register with GTCe to work in schools.

How to gain UK QTS
You must be assessed according to the OTT employment based route while working as a teacher, through an approved Designated Recommending Body (DRB), usually a university. You must also prove you have:

Recognition in your home country as a qualified teacher
A UK honours degree or equivalent check with UK NARIC
A UK GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths (and Science if you want to teach primary age)
Worked in at least two schools one of which is in England
Have good knowledge and experience of the UK national curriculum (see curriculum.qca.org.uk)
Have a teaching job in an English school teaching the national curriculum

Once you are working as a teacher in a school you can find details of employment based programmes to achieve QTS - see a summary of guidelines at the National advice for overseas trained teachers. The University of Hertfordshire, some other Universities and DRBs eg West London, based at Brunel University, may be willing to assist Harrow schools. Headteachers will decide which DRB to link with. The TDA - Overseas trained teacher programme lists all the DRBs.

The 'four year rule'
See the Department of Children, Schools and Families 'four year rule' leaflet for more details about what OTTs need to know. Since 1 September 2008 OTTs without QTS cannot teach beyond the four year limit, even if they are on an employment based route to QTS at that time.

From September 2009 OTTs must also register with the General Teaching Council for England if working in a state school & pay an annual fee.

Note:
You will still need to fulfill the Newly Qualified Teachers requirements including skills tests, and the usual pre-employment checks including Criminal Records Bureau. You must register with the GTCe and pay their annual fee.

The application process
Schools will look for trained teachers, preferably with UK national curriculum relevant experience and skills. OTTs are welcome to apply for any posts they see advertised. Schools decide who to interview and appoint. They may be able to obtain work permits for OTTs they wish to employ, subject to work permit regulations. This is only possible where a specific job offer has been made, and subject to someone gaining UK QTS during their employment. Working Holiday Visas are not the same. For more information visit the Home Office website: Working in the UK

Useful links