Teaching in the UK

I'm looking to teach in the UK and I was wondering if/what differences I should know about between teaching in the US and England.

I taught vocal music in the US for over 3 years in a primary school and recently obtained QTS in the UK. I do know that teaching jobs are mainly obtained through agencies and it seems like I'll need to get a background check. Any other words of wisdom/advice? (Doesn't matter if you teach music, any help is appreciated!)

Don't? lol It is really grim in lots of schools now. I find behaviour pretty shocking, and the school are only required to give you 10% of your timetable free for PPA, which can be taken sometimes for cover (subbing for an absent co-worker). If your school has a 6 lesson day, that means 30 lessons a week with only 3 free, it can be overwhelming. 

I'd look over what the exam boards require for music and see if it is something that you know. I'm not sure if there are separate music teachers in primary schools, our music department is small, 2 full time staff for a secondary student population of 1000. You might be better with independent schools?

I've got no professional knowledge so take this with a grain of salt, but I have never met a teacher in the UK who was not absolutely miserable.  The pay is shockingly low, the hours and expectations are off the scale crazy.  I know it sounds nuts that a country could devalue teaching to such an extent but it's true.

A have an American friend who is a teacher here after teaching for about 10 years in the US.  She teaches at an independent school.  She is not shockingly miserable.  BUT - she has told me on many occasions that she would highly recommend someone to be a teacher in the US every day of the week.  Whereas she would discourage someone from being a teacher in the UK.  I think it's mostly due to Ofsted?

I have never met a teacher in the UK who was not absolutely miserable.

Well I don't think I have met any teacher who was thrilled.

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

I'm coming from the US where teachers are miserable due to constant paperwork, standardized testing, out of touch administration, etc; so it sounds like teacher morale may be about the same in both places.

As far as UK curriculum and standards, where should I look? The US doesn't do any sort of standardized testing for music so if there are expectations along these lines, I'd like to know before I start.

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

I'm coming from the US where teachers are miserable due to constant paperwork, standardized testing, out of touch administration, etc; so it sounds like teacher morale may be about the same in both places.

As far as UK curriculum and standards, where should I look? The US doesn't do any sort of standardized testing for music so if there are expectations along these lines, I'd like to know before I start.

Teaching in a secondary school (middle and high school in the US) you teach GCSE and A Levels, generally. GCSEs are a standardised test/ qualification - check the AQA, OCR or Edexcel websites for specifications for the exams.

A Levels are for students 17-18 yo and follow on from GCSEs. The specifications are probably on the same websites.

I'm a teacher (physics). The only way a Music teacher will get a job from abroad is if you already have the right to work in the UK.

To get a flavour for morale, check out tes.co.uk

Oh and because pay is performance related (to said GCSE and A Level results) you will never get a raise. So expect pay to max out somewhere around £25k. Cost of living in the UK is significantly higher than in many parts of the US, except perhaps New York, SF, etc...

Teaching in a secondary school (middle and high school in the US) you teach GCSE and A Levels, generally. GCSEs are a standardised test/ qualification - check the AQA, OCR or Edexcel websites for specifications for the exams.

A Levels are for students 17-18 yo and follow on from GCSEs. The specifications are probably on the same websites.

I'm a teacher (physics). The only way a Music teacher will get a job from abroad is if you already have the right to work in the UK.

To get a flavour for morale, check out tes.co.uk

Oh and because pay is not performance related (to said GCSE and A Level results) you will never get a raise. So expect pay to max out somewhere around £25k. Cost of living in the UK is significantly higher than in many parts of the US, except perhaps New York, SF, etc...

That is extremely helpful, thank you! Fortunately, I moved in with my husband on a spouse visa and he owns his flat so I don't have to worry about housing or getting the right to work. In the US, I didn't make a big salary for a teacher, but it was huge compared to the UK so that'll be an adjustment.

If I could pick your brain for one more thing, I'd appreciate it. You may not know the answer since you teach physics but I figure I'll ask. In the US I taught primary school music for 3 years but I've heard that primary schools don't usually have separate teachers for music. Do you know how true that is? I can teach secondary but if possible, I'd like to get a job doing what I have the most experience in.

That is extremely helpful, thank you! Fortunately, I moved in with my husband on a spouse visa and he owns his flat so I don't have to worry about housing or getting the right to work. In the US, I didn't make a big salary for a teacher, but it was huge compared to the UK so that'll be an adjustment.

If I could pick your brain for one more thing, I'd appreciate it. You may not know the answer since you teach physics but I figure I'll ask. In the US I taught primary school music for 3 years but I've heard that primary schools don't usually have separate teachers for music. Do you know how true that is? I can teach secondary but if possible, I'd like to get a job doing what I have the most experience in.

Hm maybe a large primary school? Or an independent (prep) school. Check out tes - it's where most secondary schools post adverts and a fair few primaries. I would also check out the local authority's website and any local schools to you. Vacancies are generally advertised Jan - June, but can be out there other times of year too.

Hm maybe a large primary school? Or an independent (prep) school. Check out tes - it's where most secondary schools post adverts and a fair few primaries. I would also check out the local authority's website and any local schools to you. Vacancies are generally advertised Jan - June, but can be out there other times of year too.

That's great, thank you!

There are no specialist music teachers in any of the primary schools where either relatives teach, or grand nieces and nephews attend (N. Devon, Manchester, Dulwich in Greater London). However,  if learning an instrument such as violin or flute in Year 4 or 5 they do receive weekly tuition from a peripatetic teacher employed by the local education authority. Music teachers are employed in secondary schools.

I have a friend who's self-employed as a piano teacher. It took her a year or two to build up a client base, but she does really well with it. If you have the time and initiative, this might be an option for you as well.

I have a friend who's self-employed as a piano teacher. It took her a year or two to build up a client base, but she does really well with it. If you have the time and initiative, this might be an option for you as well.

A friend of mine has done the same.  He teaches kids using the music they are into (One Direction, Justin Bieber, etc.) which has made him the "must have teacher" in the area.