How is teaching in the UK different from teaching in Canada?

Teaching in the UK naturally has some differences to teaching in Canada. Undoubtably, the curriculum differs vastly from what you have studied in your home province. It is easily accessible for the public to read from the UK government's website (see link below).

In the UK the educational journey is divided into 'Early Years' leading into the four "key stages".

  • The 'Early Years' includes nursery (age 3-4) and reception (age 4-5).

  • Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3 - 6) are generally located in the 'Primary School' setting.

  • The 'Secondary School' setting contains the remaining two Key Stages, Key Stage 3 (Years 7-  9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 & 11).

More information can be found by clicking the button below.

When are the teaching Holidays in the UK?

In the UK, the school year runs for 195 teaching days across three terms.

Autumn Term: September - December (with a one or two week break in October)

Spring Term: January - April (with a one-week break in February, and a two-week break in April for Easter Holidays)

Summer Term: April - July (with a one-week break in June)

Christmas Holidays are 2 weeks long and Summer Holidays are generally 5-6 weeks depending on your school. These 13 weeks of holiday throughout the year are usually when our Canadian teachers find time to travel Europe and catch different attractions in their prime! 

What are schools like in the UK?

We provide multiple opportunities for you to speak with our teachers currently living and working overseas to get a first hand take on what UK schools are like. Every school is different so your Aurelia representative will be sure to go over potential matches with you in detail to help you determine if it is the right fit for you.

What is behaviour like in the UK?

Students in the UK often have a reputation for poor behaviour. Some schools have few behaviour issues, similar to what you might experience in an average Canadian school, while others have more behaviour issues often depending on the socio-economic area in which the school is located and the target market the school is trying to attract. Most schools will have a strict behaviour policy in effect that you will be trained on and expected to uphold. Aurelia matches teachers to schools where they will thrive, based on your training, goals, experiences and personality.

Why is there such a need for teachers in the UK?

In recent years, the number of pupils has increased dramatically in the UK. Between now and the early 2020's, it is projected that  the UK school population will increase by up to 900,000 pupils compared to it's current numbers. By 2024, secondary schools will see an increase in student population by 20%. Schools are being built or expanded by the day, thus creating a crisis requiring a large amount of teachers to fill these positions. It is a convenient arrangement with the Youth Mobility Visa and new Canadian teachers looking for teaching experience and the opportunity to travel.