Robyn Nicole Joyce's Page

Hi, my name is Brenda. I just joined this site and I saw that you are in BC too so I thought I would introduce myself.

Hi Robyn.

England is an interesting place to teach, especially right now. I'll start my saying that it's the closest thing (but not quite) to teaching in Canada as I have experienced. England's education system is currently going through a metamorphosis. Just like anywhere, when conservative governments take hold of the reigns there is often cut- backs in funding and more conservative holds on the curriculum and how it's delivered (such as standardized testing). When Liberal governments get in control of education they often loosen the reigns and allow teachers more control over how they assess and deliver the curriculum. Also with liberal governments, there tends to be a stronger commitment to encourage teachers to improve their own professional development so they can deliver the most current developments in education strategy in the classroom. Currently in England, a Liberal government has taken control after many, many years of conservative control. As a result they have inherited a system that mired in beaucracy, poor curriculum development, micro-managed from the top down and poorly funded and supported.

But, don’t be discouraged! They are at the beginning of a really great change, and in the three years I have been here I have finally started seeing it. They are beginning to endorse teaching strategies that we were already doing in Canada 5 years ago. What they love about getting Canadian teachers at this stage is that we are trained in all these contemporary strategies and that is what most of the Principals are looking for now. Keep in mind that the Principals that are in the schools now were trained like we were before their conservative government took hold. Most of them despise how the UK teachers are being trained nowadays. They love our qualifications. Unfortunately for them (and not us) the teachers coming out of university here in England haven’t a clue about things like Farere’s comments on Piaget’s Constructivist Theory of learning or Blooms Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. We have the advantage.

Because of the system here is currently mired in red tape and beaucracy not all schools are equal here. There is a vast difference from school to school in how they perform. A lot of it falls on the shoulders of the head teacher (Principal). Some schools are buried so deep in paperwork that it affects the teaching. Some schools are behaviour management nightmares while other schools are fantastic places that nurture learning and positive work experiences for the teachers. My recommendation is to do some supply teaching day-to-day stuff for a while so you can feel out the different schools. Ask teachers about it when you are there. Every school is going to be slightly different. Make sure they have a good school-wide behavioural management system in place. That’s usually the first sign I looked for. Fortunately for me, I held out and waited for a good school to come along. I didn’t jump at the first thing. It might be different down in Brighton though. They are way more desperate for teachers in London than anywhere else in the country.

As far as the agencies go, they are pretty similar. However, you have to keep something in mind when dealing with them. You are just another overseas trained teacher to them. Long after you head back to Canada, the schools will still be here and they want to do business with them. Always look out for your own interests even though they say they are “going to bat” for you. At the end of the day, they want the schools to be happy. Agencies (and I’ve worked for a couple) do similar things. They don’t always tell you the truth about situations. That’s why many teachers like to have the agencies set up the initial introduction to schools and then you develop a good relationship with that school on your own. You still have to keep dealing with the agency though to get you the work, but it’s good to have open communication links to the school so you can hear what they really want and need. Agencies don’t always tell you the truth. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. At the end of the day though, my paycheck was always there and I had a roof over my head. That was organized through my agency 

I am not sure of the Agencies in Brighton but you could always google them. Two companies that I have worked for and a lot of my Can, Aussie, Kiwi friends use is Timeplan and Protocol Teachers Both are pretty reputable. Don’t come to England with the same expectation of treatment that you got in Asia. It’s just not there. Initially I was pretty upset with England because I know how well you get treated everywhere else in the world you go. England definitely doesn’t have the same perks in that regard. They don’t pay for your apt. they don’t pay for your flight. They have OTHER perks (e.g. proximity to traveling through Europe, strong pound against the dollar for sending money home, etc…)

I hope that helps a bit. IF you have any further questions please let me know. Good luck with your decision.

Rob.