Working in the UK

[GoJoel]

I'm going to have an extra semester between graduation and work so I'm looking for a way to work in Europe, possible the UK. Does anyone know of any good legit resources for work in the UK? I'm going to be a math teacher so I would love to do that somewhere but would be open to any kind of work to just live there for a few months.

[MuvverRussia]

US citizen? It makes a huge difference, as Canadian (and other commonwealth) citizens can use the Working Holidaymaker Visa.

Which uni are you at? There are organisations such as AIESEC (definitely worth looking at, they're an educational charity, also I do a fair bit of voluntary work for them), BUNAC etc.

As for being a maths teacher, it isn't going to happen, at least not in schools. The UK Govt is pretty strict on who is and who isn't a teacher, all new teachers have to pass a qualification called QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), which involves a set of (easy) exams, but is another hurdle.

Have a look at www.bunac.org and www.aiesec.org

[WillTravel]

In 2002, I met a 23-year-old Canadian woman in London who had just finished her degree in education back home, and had gone to London because she was going to be a substitute teacher. The pay was 100 pounds per day, each time she was called. She was told she'd be going into very rough schools, but she hadn't started yet. I've also seen ads in the paper here for Canadians to be teachers in the UK, so it must be possible for Canadians, at least.

[GoJoel]

What about small temporary jobs in the UK? I would be looking for something in a small town where I could just live for a few months. Anyone have any ideas or know any contacts?

[crystal]

Hi GoJoel ;D

I will be qualified to teach in primary schools in June this year as an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher). Different areas operate different systems for new applicants. Some councils, like mine in Cumbria just leave the schools to advertise posts for themselves but other councils offer pools. Teachers who want a job apply to the pool and the council matches them to schools in the area who need a teacher. However a lot of these pools will be closing very soon for jobs starting in Sept so you'll have to move fast. You should really decide on an area first and then find their council's website to see what methods they use. You will have to be aware also that within the UK there are different requirements across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

I am not sure about the legal side of a us citizen teaching in the uk. I have seen jobs advertised for UK teachers to work in the US so it is worth looking into. You will have to be police checked and have a CRB certificate. If you have any convictions you must declare them and you most probably will not get a job.
You will also need to register with the GTC
www.gtce.org.uk

At the minute they are crying out for teachers in the london areas and south west of england. They have a high turn over of teachers. I live in the NW of England and I wouldn't even think of choosing this area as good hunting ground for teachers there are very few jobs . Supply work is well paid but doesn't have any guaranteed hours and you will not be paid in the holidays. I don't know what time of year you are coming to the UK but the school year runs from Sept until July and they are closed from mid July until the 1st week in Sept and for two weeks at Easter.

As far as other types of work is concerned give me a bit more info - areas, type of work, have you got transport
and I'll see what I can dig up.

Good luck

[GoJoel]

Thanks for the info, crystal. It's much easier to talk to someone who actually lives in the UK! To be honest, what I'm really interested in now is just living abroad for a couple months in the spring or summer next year. I start teaching here in the states the following fall, so what I would really like is to find a job doing anything in a town or village in the UK. I would love to work on a farm, in a random town store, or for a church or school just helping out. I'm not sure about the logistics for working for such a short time (visas, etc.) but it's really just to work enough to support a trip for a month or two. It's impossible to just find these odd jobs through internet searches so I'm assuming I'll just have to get lucky enough to hear from someone who owns a farm or a store or whatever. What city do you live in? Maybe if I knew one to start with, you might be able to give me any info about that specific town?

[Jules80]

www.swap.ca/

check this out, may help you with the temporary job bit.

jules

[crystal]

Hi

Sorry it's been a while - I've been in Rome ( ;DOh yes!!!! ;D)

I live in Northern England near Carlisle. To be honest there is not a lot here for you to sample . Further down the road is the Lake District National Park which is very pretty and attracts a lot of tourists. You could probably get a job in a hotel or shop around Keswick. I know for definate that the King's Head hotel employs foriegn students and they are not the only one.

King's Head Hotel
Thirlspot
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 4TN
UK

If you did want to come to the north there is Newcastle which is a fairly big city. Or you could hit Manchester or Liverpool. To be honest I don't know where I would pick if I was given a free choice. The South and especially the South East has a high cost of living so rent and general living expences are a lot higher down there and would eat into your wages so i would probably avoid those areas especially around London.

Churches or schools would be crying out for help but chances are it would be voluntary and probably word of mouth.

For odd jobs like the ones you mentioned try this website
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
This is the site used in the job centres over here and lists just about everything on offer.

Again not sure about the legal side of things but I am sure it must be possible for you to work here.

Happy Job Hunting ;D

[MuvverRussia]

crystal said:

Again not sure about the legal side of things but I am sure it must be possible for you to work here.

It's not quite as simple as that. As the OP is a US citizen (presuming, seeing how he's from Kansas) then working legally in the UK is a bit of a challenge. They're inelegible for the WHV, and need both a visa and a work permit (it's illegal to work in the UK on the standard 6mo entry).

If you're going it alone, then have a look at the Sector Based Scheme or Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme on www.workingintheuk.gov.uk.

[GoJoel]

Maybe I should have called this thread "volunteering in the UK/Europe." I'm just trying to work on some contacts to find a place to volunteer for a month or two. So if anyone knows a church, school, or random business I could help out, let me know!

[crystal]

Hi GoJoel
If you e-mail me I might be able to sort you out with something but it will be in my local area - Cumbria (North West England).
I have worked for various charities around the area and may be able to dig something up.

If you want to volunteer in a school or other youth/children setting you will still need a CRB check even if you are not employed and are only here for a month or two. They can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks for Brits to sort out so as you are American this would probably be a really big hassle if you could get it done at all. So you are probably better steering clear of any kiddie winks!

[crystal]

Just found this site listing voluteer agencies around England

www.navb.org.uk/