Best Advice I Had as an NQT
Young teacher Heather Tinsley talks about her NQT and international experience
Heather Tinsley is working in the Middle East as a History and Geography teacher. She attended a TIC presentation at Bath University when she was training to be a teacher. TIC recommended gaining experience in the UK for 2 or 3 years before moving overseas.
How helpful was gaining experience in the UK before moving to an international school?
I spent three years teaching in Greenwich and my time there really taught me how to teach. To be observed by Senior Management and to go through an Ofsted inspection has made me into the teacher that I am today. That was definitely the best advice I could have had.
How has teaching in an international school impacted your career?
It’s made me more sympathetic to the learning needs of EASL children and made me adapt my methods; that’s a really good skill that I know will benefit me long-term. There are other benefits such as networking with teachers from other countries to share cultural differences of teaching.
NQT or fully qualified?
In 2012 the British Government approved NQT induction in accredited British Schools Overseas. This means that qualifying British International Schools are now able to access, support and deliver induction for teachers who wish to gain their NQT experience abroad. Currently there are only a few schools approved to offer this and TIC recommends students complete their NQT and at least one year of teaching experience in the UK before applying for jobs in international schools.
“Most international schools want teachers with experience in the National Curriculum of England or the International Baccalaureate plus a full teaching qualification,” says TIC’s Managing Director, Andrew Wigford.
“This will mean you will have many more job opportunities available to you and when you are ready, you will be able to return to your home country with great qualifications as well as incredible, international experience.”
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