With covid now (hopefully) firmly behind us, the UK is seeing a boom of teachers arriving from overseas. Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders are flocking to teach in the UK, and it’s easy to see why.

The UK offers a range of attractive benefits for supply teachers – from better pay than many countries to more flexible holiday options. One of the key reasons these teachers are drawn to the UK is because it offers an excellent work-life balance, which is something that is difficult to find in other teaching destinations around the world. Teachers can often choose when they want to work, with some schools offering full-time contracts and others giving part-time roles which can fit around an individual’s commitments outside of school hours. This flexibility means that supply teachers can take on opportunities in different areas across England, Wales and Scotland without committing themselves fully to one school.

The UK also offers an excellent range of teaching opportunities, with many schools now using supply teachers to fill gaps in staffing levels. This is particularly beneficial for new teachers who may not yet have experience in a particular subject or area but require a supply teaching agency Cambridge to land the role of their dreams. The UK education system is well-respected around the world, and it provides an excellent foundation upon which to build a career as a teacher. Additionally, the UK offers a broad range of different types of schools, from state schools right through to private schools and those offering international curriculums such as the International Baccalaureate. This means that teachers can find something that suits their own preferences and provide them with ample opportunity for professional development and growth.

Many Hongkongers are starting new lives in the UK too. The UK’s welcoming attitude to immigrants from Hong Kong, coupled with the attractive benefits of supply teaching, is making it a particularly popular destination. With protests in Hong Kong continuing and no clear end in sight, many people feel that their future lies elsewhere, and the UK provides an attractive option for those seeking stability. Overall, the UK is firmly established as one of the most popular destinations for teachers looking to make a move overseas. Supply teaching offers flexible opportunities, which are highly valued by experienced teachers who may want more control over their working hours. It looks like this trend is set to continue well into 2021 and beyond!

If you’re contemplating a career as a supply teacher or just want a spell that comes with freedom, a better work-life balance and no long-term commitment, the UK could be the perfect home for you!

It’s never too early to start planning your work Christmas party. In fact, the earlier you start, the better! That way you can make sure that everything is perfect and everyone has a good time. Of course, there are always a few people who will complain no matter what you do, but that’s to be expected. You can’t please everyone all the time, right? But how can you plan an event like a big Christmas do and stand the best chance of making it a success?

Plan early

This is the most important thing you can do. Christmas is a busy time for everyone, so if you leave it too late to book a venue or caterer, you’re likely to be disappointed. You might also struggle to find a date that suits everyone, as people will already have plans. So start thinking about it now and get the wheels in motion.

Be organised

Once you’ve started planning, make sure you stay on top of things. This means having a clear idea of what needs to be done and when. Delegate tasks to different team members if necessary, and follow up to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing!

Think about what everyone wants

This is a tricky one, as you’ll have a team of people with different interests and needs. Some might want a night out drinking, while others will prefer a more relaxed evening. And then there are those who don’t drink alcohol at all. The best thing to do is to try and cater to everyone by having a few different options. For example, you could have drinks and dance at a bar, followed by dinner at a restaurant.

Don’t forget the budget

Christmas parties can be expensive, so it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. This means being realistic about what you can afford and what your team is likely to want. There’s no point planning an extravagant event that nobody will be able to enjoy because it’s too expensive.

Keep it fun

The whole point of a work Christmas party is to have fun, so make sure that’s what you focus on. This doesn’t mean you have to go over the top – sometimes, the simplest things can be the most enjoyable. Just make sure everyone is enjoying themselves, and you’re guaranteed to have a great time. Let’s say you’re planning a Christmas parties Leeds, you need to look at the venues that have great reviews, lots of photos of people having fun and a friendly team who work there. For example, the Picturedrome in Holmfirth is not too far away. It’s a Century-old picture house, and 690-capacity live music venue staging touring bands, plus a bar with so many different events on the go. This could be a great shout! And that’s just from a quick Google search.

So there you have it – above are some tips on how to plan a successful work Christmas party. Get started early, be organised, think about what everyone wants and don’t forget the budget. And most importantly, keep it fun! If you do all of these things, you’re sure to have a great time.

As teachers, we all hope to keep the class engaged and working to the best of their abilities. However, there are times when a class can get disruptive. Here are some tips on how to deal with this sort of class.

It would help if you remained calm at all times. It can be frustrating when the students are not listening, but keeping a positive tone will help the class see that they are not getting to you.

A disruptive class is just waiting for you to raise your voice as it gives them a reason to raise their voice even more and to tell the story repeatedly to friends of how they made you lose your cool.

Using the silent stare is another way to get their attention as it only takes one person to say ‘Shhh’ for the class to put their attention back on you.

Finally, never let them know they have got under your skin, as this will encourage them to be disruptive in every lesson.

If you’ve been a teacher in the past or are currently a teacher here in the UK, you’ve probably heard questions or statements like:

• “What’s your typical day like?”
• “Don’t you have any time off at weekends?”
• “I couldn’t do what you do – I’d never have the patience.”
• “It must be great for getting your summer holidays off.”             

So maybe it’s time we touched on some of the answers to the above, and painted a picture of what life’s like to really be a teacher. Well, firstly, no two days are ever the same. You’ll probably hear this with many people in all aspects of work, from plumbers to lawyers, hairdressers, and office workers, but in teaching, this is certainly the case — we can assure you! Below are some of the aspects many people aren’t familiar with, but you should be if you’re contemplating becoming a teacher.

You don’t leave when lessons end

Firstly, the lessons do not end at 3.30pm sharp. We’re here till about half-past four, maybe longer if a child is in detention or needs to be spoken to about their progress. Then you have planning time, where you have to plan for the next day’s lessons so everything is covered and you don’t get stuck mid-lesson with no idea what to teach next! Then there will be times where you’ll need to stay late because of a school event such as sports day or a school play, so already we’re talking another three hours on top of what’s expected — which doesn’t sound like much but can quickly add up if it happens several times a week.

A simple “good morning” or “hi, how are you?” can make a teacher’s day

One thing that surprised me was that you can’t be friends with your students. You will need to maintain a professional distance, otherwise, it makes it harder to discipline them if they know you on first-name terms or have other associations outside of school. When you’re a supply teacher in a school it’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed. You have places, buildings, names, and processes to learn, so a simple ‘good morning’ goes a long way. There can be days that do not feel friendly, fun, and rewarding, but we all do our best to remain as upbeat as possible. This also ties in with our next point…

Teachers just don’t get to have bad days

There are days in education where you have good lessons, bad lessons, too much marking, and not enough time to plan. We all struggle with work-life balance, but when you’re constantly surrounded by children there’s a lot of emotional pressure that accumulates. Let’s say you’re contemplating teaching jobs Cambridge, some students are lovely, friendly, and eager to learn; others are apathetic or even rude. Throw into the mix an imperfect system that isn’t always conducive to learning and you’ve got a formula for low morale. This is why it’s important to maintain perspective – certain things won’t seem so important after six months on the job!

A little bit of ‘me’ time goes a long way

It can be tough maintaining your mental and physical health. When you’re in the classroom, your workload is immense. However, spending an hour or two doing something relaxing outside of work can make a huge difference to how you feel – it doesn’t have to be anything major. For example, if I’ve had a bad day with student discipline or management issues I might play Mario Kart on my Nintendo Switch for 10 minutes when I get home at night! This helps me relax and puts any problems into perspective so they don’t seem quite as serious.

So there you go, these are just a few insights to share with you to say it’s not all positive. That said, on the whole being a teacher is amazing! I have to pinch myself sometimes that I have the best job in the world.

After a long day at school, teachers will often find their last class of the day is not engaged in learning or paying any attention at all. Rather than wiping out a video, connect the learning to the real world. 

We have all heard children say, “When am I ever going to use this?” As part of the lesson, answering this question will get the children thinking about the topic and help them when they are older.

Giving the classroom a say by providing them with options on how they would like to tackle a task, do they want to do it solo or prefer pair or group work.  Would they like to present their work at the end?  This gives the class a sense of ownership of the lesson.

Sometimes even a slight break from a lesson can help engagement.  Humour within a class can lighten the mood and make your lesson topic more fun. 

Never be afraid to be yourself. Build a rapport with the class, and the class is more likely to engage with you.

Tired of whizzing past school after school with their uninspiring, bog-standard toilets? That’s not as common today as it was back in the day, because plenty of schools create fresh, fun and uplifting designs for toilets! Headteacher of Woodville Primary School, Mrs Sophie Tanner explains:

“As part of the school’s continuing commitment to providing the best possible toilets for our children, we have recently completed a toilet refurbishment. The works have not only given the entire school community much-needed facelift but will also provide fresh learning opportunities.”

Mrs Tanner continues “Before, during and after works our pupils were engaged in several activities which helped them to understand why these changes are being made. The activities included designing new cubicles, investigating materials used in both construction processes as well as hygiene areas. This has really engaged all pupils involved including those who are not normally interested in Science subjects at this stage.”

As you can see this is a great way to get kids involved and create a fun design, but what if you want a professional to help? You of course need a school toilet refurbishment that’s created with meticulous attention to detail, in line with your school’s values!

When restricted funds must be spent, it’s critical to get value for money. Schools often focus on improving pupils’ restrooms when they have little cash. There are a number of reasons why upgrading school toilets is a good idea. The first is that a toilet block may be completely renovated without spending a fortune. A wider variety of contemporary, vibrant colours can breathe new life into an old toilet block. This may make the area where youngsters sit more pleasant rather than the dark restrooms of yesteryear!

Indirect lighting, which has a mood-enhancing effect, may also be installed. The next consideration is the fact that young people are more likely to feel inhibited about using toilet blocks which were built during Victorian times – even those with recent renovations! The public toilets at school concerts and sports events will also be appreciated as well as those for staff and cleaners too. Even if you do not have money available for additional extras such as soap dispensers and paper towel holders, replacing old cubicles can work wonders. Newer models require less maintenance and should include an accessible coat hook and water-resistant soap dish so pupils and staff do not linger longer than necessary. You may also want to give thought to installing new hand dryers which would probably be more cost-effective.

COVID Safety in mind

So many councils up and down the country have created programmes to refurbish toilets in schools, leisure centres and even police stations.

The pledge means that school toilets are replaced by new designs. The changes will also see water-efficient urinals being introduced into public lavatories and schools, whilst special care should be taken for cleaning toilet blocks, yet they should be large enough to facilitate social distancing with excellent handwashing facilities.

Are you thinking about becoming a teacher, but perhaps you are still on the fence? There are several things to consider before making a final decision. But there are also many benefits as well. Here are 5 reasons why we think it may be a great move for you to become a teacher.

1. Make A Difference

As a teacher, you are in a position to make a difference. Instead of just sitting on the sidelines, you can positively influence young minds to give their best. If you like the idea of helping future generations prepare for adulthood and give them the best opportunities, you are going to love teaching.

1. Build Valuable Relationships

You are going to meet so many different people, and a lot of these relationships you make are going to last until the end of your days. Fellow educators and students are going to remember you long after you retire because good teachers tend to leave a legacy behind. And what about the opportunities that will be extended to you based on the relationships you build?

1. Challenge Yourself

As mentioned earlier, a teaching position is not something you take lightly. You have certain responsibilities you have to maintain. But isn’t life ultimately about constantly challenging yourself? Because you are going to get a new challenge every year when new students fill the seats. Think about it for a moment. With every young mind that depends on your skills, you have an opportunity to better yourself.

1. A Very Social Environment

For individuals that love to socialize, a teacher could be the perfect career. Not only do you get a chance to interact with like-minded individuals, such as your peers, but you also stay in touch with younger generations. This is very helpful if you want to stay open-minded about the world we live in. Because few jobs in life can give the same perspective as being a teacher.

1. Being A Teacher Is Very Rewarding

You can trust that teaching is a very enriching career path. Knowing that you are making it easier for younger generations to take charge of their lives will definitely make you feel good about yourself. And the more effort you put in, the bigger the reward is going to be.

While you are bound to hear a lot of opinions about teaching, it does not change the fact that teaching forms a valuable part of society. For example, if you were considering teaching jobs Cambridge and only wanted to try a few different schools for a few months, you can always look into supply work, which allows you to find your feet and get some vital experience in your locker. Remember, if you can count yourself among the teaching community, you should feel very honoured — it’s a job that many teachers deem to be a privelage.

If you have many local schools in your area, during the spring and early summer, you may notice that it becomes very hot inside. This could be due to the positioning of windows that are built into the structure. They could be facing south which can lead to excessive amounts of heat buildup. To avoid this, you may want to consider installing awnings on every window. This is going to help block the sunlight that is coming in. It’s good to have retractable awnings so that, during the more mild months, you can see outside without having to worry about taking them off again. Here are some of the reasons why many schools have added awnings to their windows.

Is This A Cost-Effective Investment?

Schools are always looking for ways to save money. Initially, those that are in charge of finances may believe that this is an unnecessary expense. What they may not understand is how much money it will cost to run the air-conditioning units during the spring and summer months when school is in session. That cost can be offset by simply installing awnings on the outside of the windows which are enabling heat build-up inside. Even better, if you can install those that do have retractable awnings that are automated with the push of a button, you can save money and time by installing these instead.

Why Retractable Awnings Are A Better Investment

If you have standard awnings on the outside of a home or building, they are essentially stationary. If you want to remove them, or even retract them, you will have to be outside to do so. This could become very problematic, especially if you are installing this at a school where there are rooms that are two or three stories high. Instead, you can install automated awnings that have a built-in motor system. They will also have a remote control that will allow you to extend or retract the awning. Though this is extra money, it’s going to save you time when it comes to retracting or extending the awnings. It will also improve safety by not having individuals climb to extreme heights to accomplish the same task.

How To Get Good Deals For Schools If They Need Awnings

The best deals tend to come from businesses that work with large companies or corporations already. They will already have contracts with major businesses that buy in bulk. When you purchase anything in bulk, they have an obligation to offer you a discount. If you can find a business that is dealing with awnings, that is willing to cut the price on multiple units, this is the company you should consider buying them from.

Awnings can also add a unique appearance to any structure they are on. If this is for a school, you may want to consider having them created with school colours. You may also want the emblem of the school, or the mascot, embroidered on the exterior of every awning. Although it is cheaper to get standard awnings, you now know why investing in automated awnings for schools would be a much better choice. You should be able to find one business that is willing to provide you with a low-cost solution toward purchasing and installing these awnings at your school if you want them.

No matter how well you know your stuff, sometimes the hardest part is just getting kids to pay attention long enough to learn something. A few helpful tips to maintaining your young students’ attention are:

1. Reach out

Instead of calling out to a child across the room, try going to them, positioning your body at their level and requesting in a firm but friendly voice to look at you before beginning your discussion.

2. Use attention grabbers

Use sensory motivational devices with varied colours, textures, shapes, movements, smells or sounds to help them focus. Warm, soft colours and an orderly environment can help with kids who may get over-stimulated.

3. Be playful

You can use a dramatic voice, sensational hat, clapping, a secret hand sign for them to duplicate or rolling a ball to each child to keep them alert.

4. Describe what you see

Refocus their attention by labelling activities or objects and talking or asking about the similarities and differences.

5. Be clear and specific

Keep directions short, direct and simple. Avoid saying ‘don’t’ statements, instead clearly say what they need to do.

Are you thinking about becoming a teacher or are you currently a teacher, but looking for a slightly different role? If so, then consider becoming a supply teacher. There are many reasons to become a supply teacher, and the top ones include:

1. Flexibility Scheduling
   The first reason to specialise in supply teaching Cambridge is that your schedule will be flexible. In general, you can work a three day week, which allows you to enjoy more time off. It also frees up time for you to work a second job, if that’s what you want to do.

Teachers tend to work on a traditional schedule and a set schedule. This doesn’t work for everyone. If you want flexibility and you want to teach for a living, then you’ll want to look into becoming a supply teacher.

1. Entry To Teaching
   Supply teaching is a great entryway into teaching. If you currently don’t have your NQT, then working as a supply teacher is for you because you’ll learn about vacancies as they come about. Not only that, but you’ll have experience and you’ll gain a competitive edge over other applicants.
2. Not A Lot Paperwork
   Many teachers become stressed out due to the paperwork involved with their job. They have to do things such as marking, set targets and do a lot of planning. While many teachers enjoy what they do, the amount of paperwork can leave them feeling drained.

As a supply teacher, you won’t deal with a lot of paperwork. It’s possible that you’ll simply go into work and be able to leave on time. Best of all, the chances are you won’t be bringing any work home with you.

1. Work At Multiple Locations
   Supply teachers have the opportunity to work at multiple locations, as they are not tied down to a permanent position. This means you can “sample” different types of schools, locations and so forth. This isn’t possible if you take up a permanent teaching position.

Plus, this allows you to scope out different prospective employers before you lodge an application for a permanent position. However, you might like working on a temporary basis and having the freedom to work at various locations. If that’s the case, then feel free to continue doing this.

Those are the top reasons to become a supply teacher. If you want to enjoy a flexible and rewarding career, then consider working as a supply teacher. All you have to do now is gain the qualifications required to be a supply teacher or start applying for supply teaching jobs.