[DogsMcNulty]

My wife and I are both secondary teachers in shortage subjects, Science and technology. We are intending to continue teaching in NZ and would appreciate some advice on job hunting.

I have seen jobs in the education gazette that interest us, is it usual to apply for these jobs whilst still in the UK and would we be expected to come to NZ for an interview?

In an ideal world we would like to secure jobs whilst in the UK to begin in Feb, allowing us to work in the UK until the end of the autumn term. Then leave for NZ at Christmas to search for accomodation etc before starting work in their new academic year in feb.

Are we being hopeful and niave? Will we have to leave for NZ and find work once we get out there?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Debbie P.]

Hi DogsMcNulty (love the name),

There are people on this forum who have got jobs while still in the UK, e.g. Willsken, and I'm sure you'll hear from them soon.

Also, there are case studies on this website http://www.teachnz.govt.nz - I know it tends to put a positive spin on things, but it may be worth a look.

If you were really worried, there are some agencies you could sign up to who would do the searching for you and get something lined up before you arrive. They occasionally do recruitment drives in the UK, so it may be worth looking at their websites and checking out dates in your area.

Good luck!

[ruthyroo]

I think it really depends on the school's individual situation and the principal's approach. Mr Rr got a teaching job offer while in the UK after a very informal telephone interview. It was only when we got here that it became apparent that the school was in a poor catchment, had a lot of challenging kids and had difficulty recruiting staff as a result. Other schools in more desirable areas are much more likely to be more picky and prefer to recruit only when they can meet you face to face, unless you have particularly startling experience / qualifications.

There is nothing stopping you from applying from the UK - you might strike lucky. However, while it seems like a good idea to have a job to come to etc (it did for us), I think it's really hard to make a fully informed decision about accepting a job on the other side of the world, in a place you don't know at all. Certainly, with hindsight we probably shouldn't have accepted the first job offer that came along, without being a bit more selective. Which, as I say, is really difficult when coming to a totally new place. then again, you might be really adaptable and willing to take whatever job comes along just to get to NZ...

Good luck in your applications

[Patrick]

I'm a Canadian secondary teacher of math and science who found work in a private primary school near Papakura. When I first applied from Taiwan, where I was working before, I applied to a number of primary and secondary schools. The secondary ones which replied were from lower deciles, and the primary ones were high deciles. Go figure. Anyway, my advice is to apply from overseas, but don't limit your options. It's great teaching primary kids!

[upnorthkyosa]

How are you able to teach primary students? What year are they? Do your qualifications allow this?

Very interesting story, Patrick. As someone who is about to embark on the very same journey that is being discussed in this thread, any details would be much appreciated.

[Patrick]

If I'm correct, you are assessed at whatever level your qualifications give you by the NZQA. I posted in the NZQA area about my hassles with the procedure before I came, so a search for my posts should pull up my story. Once you're assessed, it's up to if a school is interested in you, your qualifications and whatever else you bring to the table in terms of work experience and ideas. Make that telephone interveiw a good one! The school I was hired at had me "virtually" teach a class in a variety of situations, with the head of school and head teachers listening in to see how I would do a variety of things.