To teach in Britain you must:

• Be legally entitled to work in the UK.
• Be a qualified teacher/childcare worker.
• Have the right attitude to work abroad.

To teach within the primary or secondary sectors you must have a Bachelor Degree, Diploma of Education or Higher Diploma in Education from a recognised training institution.

Due to the conditions laid down by European Community Law however, your qualifications will not be recognised as equivalent to British or European qualifications by the Department of Education. Fortunately, this does not have any affect on your ability to teach in England.

Early childhood teachers require a 3 or 4 year Bachelor Degree and nursery nurses require either an Associate Diploma of Social Science (Child Care), a Diploma of Children¹s Services (0-5), or other two year full-time recognised industry courses

Visa requirements for working in the UK

The working holiday visa
This is the most popular option for the majority of residents from Commonwealth countries who teach with Capita. The working holiday visa must be attained before leaving home and you need to have satisfactory explanations about your travel plans and finance when entering the UK. You also need to be aware that any time spent outside the UK after your initial arrival is included in your allocated time. The usual / standard time allocated for the working holiday visa is the maximum two year term and you must enter the country within six months of attaining your visa.
To qualify for a British working holiday visa you must satisfy the following criteria:

• Be a Commonwealth citizen aged between 17 and 30, inclusive.
• If married your spouse must qualify for the working holiday visa ‘in their own right’.
• Have evidence of sufficient funds to pay for your return flight or onward journey. You also require evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself (stated as £2000 by the British High Commission).
• You should also have details regarding accommodation and work arrangements.
• Intend to leave the UK at the end of your working holiday.

Right of abode

If you were born in the UK or have parents who were born in the UK you are entitled to live and work in Britain.

UK ancestry/grandparent entry visa

If you have a grandparent who was born in the UK then you are entitled to apply for ancestry entry clearance, which entitles you to live and work in Britain for up to four years.

European Community citizenship

A passport from a country that is in the European Community may also entitle you to live and work in Britain. It is possible for individuals with parents or grandparents from EC countries to attain a European Community Passport which, depending on the EC country regulations may then allow entry to Britain. As this is dependent on varying and in some cases complicated regulations of EC member countries it is advisable to undertake the necessary research through the relevant Embassy prior to making any firm plans.

Spousal visa

 If you are married to a British National you will be entitled to work in the UK. Likewise if you are accompanying a spouse who has dual nationality or patriality you will also be entitled to work in the UK. Please note that for either situation your spouse must travel with you. It is also worthwhile to check your status with the British High Commission before making any plans.

If none of these visa categories apply to you then your only remaining option is to attain a work permit. Permits relate to specific jobs and to apply you need to have been offered a teaching position by a school for a period of at least 12 months.

The 'overview' of visa details shown here is not comprensive. Visa and passport regulations can be a complex matter and as we would advise you to direct queries to the British High Commission or request your travel agent to contact the British High Commission on your behalf. It is essential that you do this prior to making any firm plans.

The contact details for the Commissions are:

New Zealand British High Commission, Visa/Passport Section
44 Hill Street PO Box 1812 , Thorndon, Wellington
Tel: 049 242 889
www.britain.org.nz

South Africa British High Commission, Visa/Passport Section
Liberty Life Place, Glynn Street, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002
Tel: 012 483 1400 or (24 Hours fax demand service 082 2325643)
www.britain.org.za

Australia British High Commission , Visa/Passport Section
Level 10, CBS Tower , Corner Akuna & Bvnda Streets
Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: 1902 941 555
http://bhc.britaus.net/default.asp