The Teachers' Scheme for Central and Eastern European Europe

Teachers During the Academic Year 2012-13

Applications are invited from teachers or university students training to be teachers and graduating at the end of this academic year to spend one year (from September to July) in a leading British independent school on a training and work experience scheme as an assistant teacher. They will be expected to combine teaching in their main subject(s) with duties in one of the school’s boarding houses and with involvement in the school’s extra-curricular activities. The scheme suits teachers keen to broaden their professional expertise through first-hand experience of life and work in a very different environment from the schools of their own country.

The purpose of the scheme is to introduce teachers to the methods, expectations and philosophy of British Independent school education, to provide an opportunity for them to understand more about the British way of life and to help them to become more fully proficient in the English language.

Teachers may be recruited in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Montenegro. More information about the scheme can be obtained from local agencies, whose contact details are listed below.

The UK Border Agency has licensed HMC projects to act as an overarching body for the sponsorship of Tier 5 visa applicants from non-EEA countries. In consequence, teachers from these countries can now apply for placements in schools through HMC Projects.

Recruitment & Placement

The teachers are selected through open competition organised by national agencies and interviews by a representative of HMC Projects.

Teachers of the following subjects are most easily placed: Maths, Sciences, Information Technology, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education and Sport, Junior Classes. There are occasionally vacancies for teachers of French, German, Spanish, History, Geography and English as a Second or Foreign Language.

Most vacancies are for secondary teachers (pupils aged 11 - 18) but some vacancies also exist for teaching younger pupils (aged 7 - 13) and occasionally for kindergarten.

Essential Qualities:

• good knowledge of English: ability to communicate easily but total fluency not essential provided there is a willingness to learn quickly
• competence in subject area(s)
• willingness to gain experience in a residential situation
• friendly and outgoing attitude
• adaptability in unfamiliar situations
• ability to integrate easily and work in a team
• confidence and independence
• hardworking, willing and highly motivated approach
• readiness to supervise sports and contribute to extra-curricular activities (expertise in a sport, music, drama or other activity would be welcome but not essential)
• commitment to share the experience on returning home.

Arrangements

Accommodation: This is generally provided by the host school, usually in boarding houses where the teacher will act as a resident tutor for boarding children.

Food: Will normally be provided during term time and usually involves eating with other resident tutors and school boarders.

Dependants: The allowance and accommodation are not sufficient for dependants. Applicants must be prepared to go alone, although short visits from dependants or spouses during the holidays may be possible after negotiation with the school.

Working Conditions: Teachers will work not more than 10 hours per week as a class teacher; 10 hours assisting other teachers or with small groups of pupils; 6 hours' preparation and marking time; 4 hours' pastoral assistance in the boarding house and extra-curricular activities.

Remuneration: Teachers will receive a modest amount of money: not a full teacher's salary, but not less than the minimum wage throughout the year (£182.40 per week for the year 2011-12). Teachers will also have to pay a contribution to National Insurance, which gives access to free treatment under the National Health Service for all medical needs except dental treatment, which is not covered.

This salary should leave teachers enough money for their own use after all the costs of accommodation and food have been met. Teachers should be able, for example, to join friends when they go out, to go to the theatre or a football match, to buy clothes in the sales and to travel to interesting places in the country. Our aim is for teachers to have enough money to make the best use of their time in Britain, although they may find many items expensive.

Travel Expenses: Selected candidates cover their own travel expenses to and from the UK.

Fees: Teachers whose applications are successful and who take up positions in British schools will be asked to make a contribution during the year to cover a part of the costs incurred directly for their benefit: £980 for teachers from a country in the EEA, £780 for other teachers, who have to pay for a visa to come to the UK.

We do not require the total sum in advance but accept the payment in two parts, the first being due on 1st December and the second on 1st March. Money does not have to be transferred to the UK in advance, as teachers can wait until they have been paid by their schools.

Orientation Course: Successful candidates will be invited to attend an orientation course at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge from 31 August - 3 September 2012 for all teachers and scholarship students from Central and Eastern Europe. They should travel to the UK on 31 August, unless they are required to join their schools before then on account of an earlier start to the school year.

Application and Selection

Click her to see the applications and selections page