Hello from a Floridian who dreams of a life in Reading

Hi everyone! My husband has a possibility of moving to Reading temporarily for his company. I'm still trying to encourage him to step up to it. If his job moves in that direction, I was wondering what I would do for work.

I have a Bachelor's degree in English Literature with some high school teaching experience. I was unable to complete my first year teaching due to a then-unknown medical issue. Lately, I've been a stay-at-home mom/author and 4 years ago discovered that my medical issue is Celiac Disease. Now that I've got a handle on it and our youngest is starting kindergarten this year, I'm ready to get back in the classroom. I'm starting out easy with just substitute teaching for now. But if we move to the UK, I'm not sure I would be qualified to teach anywhere there.

Since our situation would likely be temporary anyway (anywhere from 6 months to 2 years) I would be open to work possibilities other than a classroom. Would any of you lovely folks have any suggestions? Thanks so much!

Hello!

I'm a Florida girl living near Reading.  Hard to think anyone would ever dream of living here!  You know you live in paradise, right?   

If you applied soon, you would be able to work on your Tier 2 dependent visa.  However, they are talking of changing the rules and the trailing spouse would not be able to work.  So, you may want to jump on the opportunity if it's something that interests you.

I'm not sure on teaching qualifications but we have several teachers on the forum.  It probably won't be worth jumping through all the hoops for a temporary move, but I could be wrong.

Hello!

I'm a Florida girl living near Reading.  Hard to think anyone would ever dream of living here!  You know you live in paradise, right?   

Hahaha! Hubby and I both laughed at this response! I was born and raised here, and if I never see another hot, humid beach again, I'll be perfectly happy. I'm really sick of endless summer and easily get cabin fever here because it's too hot to go out for most of the year. If we can't make the move to the UK, then we're pushing for Colorado. We both prefer mountains but also love history.

Hopefully, they don't change those rules for the trailing spouse working before we get the opportunity to inquire with his company. He has to wait till October to put in the request because of departmental restructuring.

I wonder how it would work if I did online editing for my publishing company while living in the UK? It's an American company (though they have authors in the UK), but a small one, so they don't pay much for editors even if I did it here. But it would be something. I've only got 2 books out at the moment. Not nearly enough to help supplement our income. 

Hahaha! Hubby and I both laughed at this response! I was born and raised here, and if I never see another hot, humid beach again, I'll be perfectly happy. I'm really sick of endless summer and easily get cabin fever here because it's too hot to go out for most of the year. If we can't make the move to the UK, then we're pushing for Colorado. We both prefer mountains but also love history.

Hopefully, they don't change those rules for the trailing spouse working before we get the opportunity to inquire with his company. He has to wait till October to put in the request because of departmental restructuring.

I wonder how it would work if I did online editing for my publishing company while living in the UK? It's an American company (though they have authors in the UK), but a small one, so they don't pay much for editors even if I did it here. But it would be something. I've only got 2 books out at the moment. Not nearly enough to help supplement our income. 

Too funny.  I lived in Florida all my life and then took a job in Colorado (which is what led to my opportunity in the UK).

Yeah...  I didn't know how good I had it in Florida until I moved here.  Sometimes you have to move away to appreciate what you have.

I LOVED Colorado though.  Really suited me.  Outdoor lifestyle, laidback people, great seasons.  I preferred the dry heat to the humid heat of Florida and the UK.

As long as your visa allows work, you can work for your US company still.  You just wouldn't be able to if your visa restricted work.  This is a proposed change to the Tier 2 visa and isn't done yet, so it'll be a few months yet before anything happens.

I'm guessing your husband works at Oracle to have opportunities in Reading and Colorado.

Hopefully, they don't change those rules for the trailing spouse working before we get the opportunity to inquire with his company. He has to wait till October to put in the request because of departmental restructuring.

That seems to be when the changes will be announced, but not sure when they will start.

From what I read, they are talking about only allowing the dependant to work if they take a skilled job (although still not a doctor or dentist in training).

They are also thinking about adding Tier 2 ICTs and their dependants to the list of those that must now either contribute to the NHS and pay the IHS (visas more than 6 months) or pay each time they use the NHS (visas 6 months or less).

Waiting to see what MAC recommends.

  and 4 years ago discovered that my medical issue is Celiac Disease.


Since our situation would likely be temporary anyway (anywhere from 6 months to 2 years)

If they add Tier 2 ICTs to the list of those who now have to pay for the NHS and you think you will need healthcare while you are living in the UK, then try to get your husband sponsored on a visa of more than 6 months. That visa of over 6 months will mean you will get all your NHS bills covered for a flat fee of £200 a year.

All transfers to the UK office are temporary as that visa doesn't lead to British citizenship anymore.

That seems to be when the changes will be announced, but not sure when they will start.

From what I read, they are talking about only allowing the dependant to work if they take a skilled job (although still not a doctor or dentist in training).

They are also thinking about adding Tier 2 ICTs and their dependants to the list of those that must now either contribute to the NHS and pay the IHS (visas more than 6 months) or pay each time they use the NHS (visas 6 months or less).

Waiting to see what MAC recommends.

If they add Tier 2 ICTs to the list of those who now have to pay for the NHS and you think you will need healthcare while you are living in the UK, then try to get your husband sponsored on a visa of more than 6 months. That visa of over 6 months will mean you will get all your NHS bills covered for a flat fee of £200 a year.

All transfers to the UK office are temporary as that visa doesn't lead to British citizenship anymore.

Too funny.  I lived in Florida all my life and then took a job in Colorado (which is what led to my opportunity in the UK).

Yeah...  I didn't know how good I had it in Florida until I moved here.  Sometimes you have to move away to appreciate what you have.

I LOVED Colorado though.  Really suited me.  Outdoor lifestyle, laidback people, great seasons.  I preferred the dry heat to the humid heat of Florida and the UK.

As long as your visa allows work, you can work for your US company still.  You just wouldn't be able to if your visa restricted work.  This is a proposed change to the Tier 2 visa and isn't done yet, so it'll be a few months yet before anything happens.

I'm guessing your husband works at Oracle to have opportunities in Reading and Colorado.

"Dreaming of a life in Reading"...I had to smile at that. I remember doing exactly that this time 20 years ago. My English boyfriend worked there for a telecoms company and I was in Texas. I used to tell all my friends that I simply couldn't wait to move there and I had nothing to go on since I had never actually been there. It really was a complete surprise when I moved there in late 1995. We married there and our son was born there nearly 18 years ago We later moved to Greater Manchester (where my husband is from) but believe it or not, I much preferred living in Lower Earley/ Maiden Earley and Wokingham. I visited the area last month and really enjoyed it. I was more surprised that my husband did too. Anyhow, Harpgirl, good luck and I hope your "dream" comes true. KFdancer, enjoy "living the dream" lol

From the teaching perspective, you can check with UK NARIC to see if your qualifications are equivalent. Basically, you would need to make sure that you have QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). Without QTS, most schools will not touch your application, and even with QTS you could really struggle because of a lack of experience in UK schools. The schooling system is totally different and has taken me quite awhile to get my head around!

What subject??

Too funny.  I lived in Florida all my life and then took a job in Colorado (which is what led to my opportunity in the UK).

I'm guessing your husband works at Oracle to have opportunities in Reading and Colorado.

LOL it's like you've already lived my life ahead of me. Actually he works for Verizon.

Thanks for the info Sirius If this move becomes more tangible, I'll look up that info to see what pertains to our situation.

"Dreaming of a life in Reading"...I had to smile at that. I remember doing exactly that this time 20 years ago. ... Anyhow, Harpgirl, good luck and I hope your "dream" comes true. KFdancer, enjoy "living the dream" lol

Thanks lorenausuk! So far, I'm getting nothing but positives for this kind of experience. I'm hoping it can push hubby over the fence. He's "this close" to asking at work and I'm on pins and needles about it!

From the teaching perspective, you can check with UK NARIC to see if your qualifications are equivalent. Basically, you would need to make sure that you have QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). Without QTS, most schools will not touch your application, and even with QTS you could really struggle because of a lack of experience in UK schools. The schooling system is totally different and has taken me quite awhile to get my head around!

What subject??

See that's where I'm not sure where I might qualify. My degree is not in education, it's in American and British Literature. I taught high school English till I "burned out." Now that I understand my Celiac disease, I'm interested in getting back in the classroom.

Not all schools have to hire teachers with QTS: Academies, free schools and independents. Your real problem is going to be a lack of experience in UK schools, especially when jobs are really competitive in English and there will be several applicants for each position.

Depends on how long you are going to be in the UK, but it might be an idea to gain QTS.

There are several routes in the UK to gain QTS. PGCE through a University will include lectures and placements in schools and it is recognised internationally. Schools Direct is a school based training route, similar to a SCITT. You will be based in a school and get the odd training day. I would honestly recommend the PGCE over SD or SCITT routes. But all routes can have problems.