Hoping to Move to UK Within a Few Years

Hello All!

I'm a New Yorker living in Florida right now and I'm in the process of getting dual citizenship (Italian-American) which I expect to have within 18 months or so. Once that happens I will start searching in earnest for a job in the UK, meanwhile I'm doing as much research as possible regarding employment and living in the UK in general. There are a number of reasons why I am hoping to live in the UK rather than other EU countries, but the main two are that I've been in love with England since I was a child and it is important to my partner that we live in an English speaking country.

I'm a mathematics professor at a community college in Florida and I'm hoping to work myself into some kind of teaching position in England that is somewhat at the level I am teaching now. It seems like a sixth form college may be the way to go, but I'm still learning about the English educational system and their employment requirements.

I'm hoping to get a feel for the American expat experience on this board, maybe get some advice and meet some new friends!

Z Abbondanza

Hello & welcome.  I am new here myself and have found this board to be extremely helpful.  Moving from Portland, OR to Denny, Scotland in only 7 DAYS!
Having lived there for 1-1/2 years previously, I am honestly soooo excited to return, it feels like home.

I wish you success on your journey to the UK, wherever you settle, and don't ever be afraid to ask questions - no matter if you think they are silly!

I would recommend that you investigate gaining 'Qualified Teacher Status'. It might be worth doing your teaching qualification here (QTS) to gain experience of UK schools. Maths is an in demand subject, but you might be able to pick and choose where you work a bit more if you have UK teaching experience (as you said, the two systems are COMPLETELY different). I have been teaching here for four years and still find it tricky, despite having lived in the UK for 10 years and having gone to Uni here...

Schools here are quite keen on recent UK teaching experience because there are always loads of new initiatives and 'trendy' fads that we are expected to abide by.

Tes.co.uk is a great source of information.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice physicskate. I'm not sure how I could survive financially on the money a teacher-in-training appears to make in England, but maybe I could find a way to work another job while I train. It makes sense that they would want someone with UK experience. Is there any money in tutoring over there? I also have a BS in physics so I'm flexible.

MrsBee, that's really exciting! Scotland is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, I can't imagine actually living there. Have a great move!

How can I know everything same you?

Thanks, I appreciate the advice physicskate. I'm not sure how I could survive financially on the money a teacher-in-training appears to make in England, but maybe I could find a way to work another job while I train. It makes sense that they would want someone with UK experience. Is there any money in tutoring over there? I also have a BS in physics so I'm flexible.

There is definitely no time to work a second job as a trainee teacher. Most weeks of training and working in schools will be 60 - 70 hour weeks.

The tutoring opportunities will be limited to where you are. I would imagine that building a clientele would be tricky if you are not in a major city.

I would say salaries here (on the whole) are lower in the UK. Living costs tend to be higher. Taxes are higher too. A teacher at the top of the scale can expect about £35,000 (outside London). Take home would be about £2,000. Starting teacher salaries are about £21k. Take home is about £1300.