Our recent survey about the high proportion of teachers looking to work abroad has revealed a demographic time bomb that could hit the industry over the next few years. Here we look at the figures – and ask you for your views…

The recent Eteach poll suggested that more than a third of UK teachers are actively looking for work overseas in the hope of finding better working conditions. Some 34.6% of almost 800 teachers questioned said they are actively looking for a position abroad, while a similar proportion are “open” to the idea.

Problems for schools
These findings could spell problems for schools in the UK, as many of those looking to move abroad have years of experience. Three in ten (30.7%) of those saying they want to work overseas have between six and ten years’ experience, while a quarter (24.9%) have been teachers for between 16 and 20 years.

The survey also revealed that many older teachers are now looking abroad – 27.9% of those polled who are searching for jobs overseas are between 41 and 50 years old, and 26.9% are between 31 and 40.

Great teachers looking to move permanently
This could create a demographic time bomb for schools – with around a third of heads set to retire before 2012.

Eteach chief executive Paul Howells says that there’s been a marked increase in the demand for international posts, often by very experienced teachers. He says that while teaching abroad can add a whole new dimension to a teacher’s career prospects, and to their classroom when they return to the UK, he’s most concerned about the great teachers looking to move permanently:

“We all need to address the reasons why they are leaving – we can’t do anything about the ones looking for better weather but we shouldn’t be losing excellent, experienced teachers because of working conditions.”

Would you like to work overseas? Are you one of those actively looking for a post abroad, or might you consider it in the future? Why? Is it just about the weather, or does it run deeper than that? Share your views and experiences with the Eteach so we can all learn more about this trend.

According to the TDA 4 out of 5 applications made for primary vacancies are from females. This is an issue that has worried parents and teachers for some time.

But surely it doesn’t matter whether the teacher in the classroom is male or female, what matters is that a lot of our primary schools are staffed entirely by women and that may effect some pupils.

Surely the main objective should be whether the teacher is the most effective?
But not everyone agrees with this, there are several views on why males should enter the classroom:

* Having male role models is essential for both girls and boys.
* Boys would rather turn to men when wanting to confide in someone about issues such as bullying.
* Boys sport cannot always be delivered by female teachers.
* Children need to see teaching as a career option for both sexes.
* It gives children a more balanced view of society

The above are just some reasons as to why more men are being recruited into the teaching profession, but NASUWT believe the gender of the teacher has no real impact on the students.

In my opinion more men need to teach in primary schools so that children have a balanced view of life. Its not only women that can be good primary teachers and nurture children in a learning environment.

What are your views?
Do you think the gender of a teacher affects a child?
Do you think this area is being scrutinised too much?
Have you have any experience whereby you felt your learning had a positive/negative affect because of the gender of your teachers?

Add a comment!

It’s been in the news that the government are recommending graduates to consider working abroad, so that they can avoid being affected by the recession. Do you think it’s appropriate for the government to urge UK graduates to seek employment overseas?

In the teaching sector however, working in both the UK and overseas has never been so popular…in the UK approximately 38,000 trainee teachers enrol on teacher training courses every year. This year allocations are up by another 4%, no surprise as teaching is seen as a stable profession during the current economic downturn – in fact according to the TDA the number of enquiries has risen by 34%!

If new graduates in the education sector are looking to teach outside of the UK then this should be seen as a positive factor for their careers, rather than an alternative route to secure a job at all. Graduates can teach overseas by following a variety of routes, the most popular are…

* Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
* Teaching in an International school after completing a BA QTS/PGCE equivalent
* Working as a classroom assistant or educational project volunteer

The numbers of teachers opting to teach the National Curriculum, reflecting that of which is delivered in England and Wales, has risen by 26% in 3 years new figures reveal. As a result of this, there are now approximately 74,000 qualified teachers from the UK in International schools.

Thinking about teaching overseas? Interested in gaining TEFL qualifications? Have you taught overseas? Would you recommend the experience? Share your thoughts with the Eteach community…