US Teacher Trying to Get UK Teaching Job

Hi everyone,

I am a teacher in the United States, having gone through Teach for America and earning a Master of Arts in Teaching. I'm moving to the UK this summer to join my husband through a spouse visa. I already received a NiNo when I was a graduate student in Wales a few years ago, and I've transferred my teaching qualifications to obtain QTS through overseas qualifications.

I'm applying for teaching jobs, but so far nowhere has asked me to interview. :\ I have 3 years as a Spanish teacher and only 1 year as an English teacher. Despite having more experience as a Spanish teacher, I would prefer to teach English (not ESL, but literature and composition) at the secondary level (KS3, KS4, or A-Level). That said, I recognize schools might be turned off by the fact that I only have the 1 year of experience teaching English. I'm wondering if schools have also been wary of my application because I do not yet have the right to work (not until my visa is approved) and cannot come in person for an interview (I'm in the States until July).

If I'm not able to get a teaching job for September, I was wondering if it would be at all useful for me to go through some sort of PGCE program to get a better understanding of the UK educational system and get some more English teaching experience? I know I probably wouldn't go through a proper PGCE program, but is there something like it for teachers already holding QTS?

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!