The government announced that from 1st of February 2023 teachers from all corners of the world can apply to become a recognised QTS teacher in England.
QTS is the recognised teacher status in England, it means if you qualify, you will be eligible to teach in any school.
The UK is short of teachers, precisely secondary teachers (only teachers in maths, physics, science – where an element of physics will be taught, computer science and modern foreign languages).
Overseas teachers can apply for these jobs from their home country even without the QTS. There are teachers in England who do their jobs without the qualification – probably just holding their degrees, or other relevant certificates.
In fact, you are allowed to work in maintained schools – primary, secondary, or special schools – in England (which is otherwise not allowed) for the first 4 years in the UK without QTS under ‘the 4-year rule’. These schools are funded and overseen by the local authority.
There are no QTS restrictions for academies, free or independent schools, all teachers can apply.
But not having QTS ultimately leads to your progress being stopped at all sorts of levels.
Firstly, your chances of securing a job (and sponsorship) as an oversea teacher without this status is extremely slim.
Secondly, should you secure a job as an overseas teacher, that job’s pay must meet the minimum requirement for skilled worker visa, which currently stands at least £20,480.
Which leads to third and final point – probably the most important – without the status, you open yourself to getting paid much lower than a teacher with the status. You will also not get some growth and leadership opportunities.
Even if you have a bachelor’s or postgraduate (an education certificate) without the QTS (a professional development certificate) your “status” will not elevate.
Getting QTS, if all eligible, requires going through multiple choice questions on Maths, English and IT in a limited set time.
Once its achieve, then you have a much more greater chance of securing a teaching job if you searched and apply from abroad.
If a teacher trained in Northern Ireland or Scotland, they would still need to apply for England’s QTS.
