What will be the largest expense? Depending on where you are travelling from, the airfare is likely to be the single most expensive item you will pay for in the re-location process. If you are under the age of 30years it is highly recommended to obtain quotes from a variety of travel agents that offer special deals specifically for travellers under the age of 30. If you are over the age of 30, you can still get good deals through one of the flight consolidators, or by searching online for a ticket. We suggest that you buy an open year-return ticket and that you shop around as there are some excellent value for money deals around if you can be flexible with your times and dates. However please note that the better the deal, the less flexible the ticket will be.

What other costs will I need to be aware of?

Accommodation is the other major expense you will encounter when you relocate to the UK. Most landlords will require one month’s rent as a deposit and the first month’s rent upfront. The amount of the deposit is obviously dependent upon the area in which you live. It is difficult to estimate the cost of accommodation as it varies widely according to your own expectations.

A month’s rent can range anywhere from around £250 to upwards of £1000 per month depending upon your desired accommodation and the area in which you choose to live. Please see www.net-lettings.co.uk to get an idea of how much you should expect to pay. In order to minimise costs, you may want to search for accommodation in local newspapers such as the ‘Loot’ where private lettings are advertised. This negates the often pricey letting agent registration or administrative costs that go hand in hand with realtors.

Is it important to come over with a friend?

Many overseas-trained teachers do come over with a friend and do indeed live together. It does tend to make things slightly easier to start off with, as you have someone who can support you. The majority of our teachers however, tend to come over by themselves and meet up with other teachers once they start work. It works both ways and really depends on you!

Will I need to buy a car?

Public transport (trains and buses) are generally extremely good throughout the UK and especially in London. Generally, it is not necessary for overseas teachers to purchase a car in this country. However, if you are planning to stay for two years or more and would like to be able to take the opportunity to maximize your travel on the weekends, then buying a car might be a good option if you can afford it. We can assist and advise you as to the best way of doing this.

Will I need private medical insurance?

A percentage of the money you earn is paid in contribution towards the National Health system which enables you to free medical treatment in the United Kingdom. It is important to register with a Doctor in your local are as soon as you can after settling in the UK. A list of local Doctors can be obtained from your Dream consultant. It is worthwhile taking out a 12 month travel insurance policy which will cover you for most medical expenses in the UK/Europe (depending on your policy) and will work out cheaper than taking out separate policies for each separate holiday you take whilst in the UK.

Will I have difficulty as a foreign teacher in the United Kingdom?

British students are used to being taught by teachers from a variety of different backgrounds. Obviously there will be certain similarities between teaching in your home country and in the UK, but you will also find some differences to which you will need to be both flexible and adaptable to best suit the needs of your students. Like anything new, initially you may find certain things more demanding; for example, most overseas teachers find our lesson planning system quite onerous at first. It is advised to familiarise yourself with our National Curriculum in your specific subject area. (You can start to read the content of the National Curriculum immediately by visiting the Department for Children, Schools and Families Web-site: http://www.nc.uk.net/home.html. Always remember that you are in a different environment and it is likely that it will take time to adapt.

What can I do if I am finding things difficult?

Adjusting to a new country and a new job can be a daunting task and that is what your mentor is here to help you with. The Head teacher or Subject Head at your place of employment can talk you through any difficulties you may be experiencing and help you to strategise ways to get through these. Your other main source of support is your Dream Consultant; please do not hesitate to call us. Many of the Dream staff in the North office are experienced teachers and are well aware of the pressures involved in the beginning. We are here to help, give advice and most importantly - listen.

When will I get paid?

At the end of each week you will need to fill in a date-specific timesheet indicating the number of days you have worked during the week. You will need to fax them every Friday to the number on the timesheet. We process the timesheets on Mondays and your pay is deposited in your account on the following Friday.

How do I open a bank account?

Dream realise that it can often be difficult to open a bank account when you first arrive in the UK. We have an agreement with one of the biggest banks in the country to facilitate opening bank accounts quickly and easily for our teachers. Upon approval of your account, you will be given a cash card and a cheque book. You can be issued with a credit card only after proof that you can operate the account in a satisfactory manner. Before leaving your home country, it is advised that you obtain a letter from your bank at home which can be beneficial when opening the account.

How much will I spend a week?

The majority of our teachers are able to enjoy living in the UK as well as being able to travel in Europe. It all depends on your priorities and it is difficult to place an average weekly spend as each individual will differ markedly depending upon their hobbies, tastes and interests.

There are many factors to take into consideration: Food: Around £40-£60 a week (although everyone varies) depending on whether or not you like to eat out.

Social costs: This is probably the largest variant between individuals and depends on whether you are a frequent “pub” visitor, ‘theatre goer’ or like to eat in expensive restaurants!

Utilities: Most house shares have a “kitty” system where everyone contributes a nominal amount to cover the essentials such as cleaning etc. You will however need to pay the following: water, electricity, council tax, TV license, gas - perhaps about £10-£30 a week but can vary.

Telephone: Obviously this will vary depending on how much time you spend on the phone. We suggest that you join one of the many companies that offer cheap local and international telephone rates.

How much luggage should I bring?

In most cases you will have a baggage limit of around 20-25 kg, but this will vary depending upon which airline you fly with. The charge for extra baggage can be extremely expensive so it is suggested that you bring with you just the essentials and buy anything further you need upon arriving in the UK. Another option can be mailing a box of personal effects ahead of you which can work out to be cheaper, but may take anywhere up to three months to arrive.

How long is the school day?

In most schools the day starts at 9.00am and ends at 15.30pm. There are normally two breaks, 10.30am-10.45am and then lunch is taken from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

How are the schools divided according to ages?

Infant Schools: Ages 4-7
Junior Schools: Ages7-11
Primary Schools: Ages 4-11 (combination of infants and juniors)
Secondary Schools: Ages 11-16 or 11-18

Can you help me with my CV?

Dream Education knows that compiling a CV can be an onerous task, so we’ve developed a useful tool to take the effort out of writing your CV. Click here to use the Dream CV Wizard to take you through a quick and easy step-by-step process to organise the contents of your CV. Remember, the more detailed the information is that you include in your CV the more likely that we will be able to match your skill base with the roles that we have. Should you wish to see examples of CV’s or need any more information or help, please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist.