Overseas FAQs

We know that many agencies recruit international teachers to work in UK schools, but very few have experience like ours. We’ve tried and tested our methodology over the past 20 years and have absolutely nailed the intricacies of the relocation process. This includes an in-depth knowledge of the UK immigration system, as well as a full support and acclimatisation package.

We don’t believe that ‘one size fits all’. Our first priority is to get to know you and your needs and preferences. This is the only way we can help you to find the perfect position in a school that suits you. Similarly, the support we offer as you plan to relocate will be tailored to your own requirements – we know that this is the best way to ensure you experience a seamless relocation.

We never charge candidates for our services. We engage with our client schools to help them find the teachers they need.

Hourglass consultants work with schools all across the UK.

We love getting feedback from our teachers. Whether they give us full marks, or are less positive, it’s always useful. Apart from anything else, their views tell us what we’re doing well, and what we need to work on.

Don’t take our word for it, read the feedback for yourself. Check our Google reviews to see what others think.

As the old adage goes, ‘good people know good people’. At Hourglass, we have built a reputation with both clients and candidates as a thorough, approachable and trusted recruitment partner. We know the people we work with will recommend the sort of candidates who will help our client schools achieve their objectives.

Our referral system allows you to recommend a teacher and receive a payment of £250! This can be claimed multiple times, so feel free to spread the word to your colleagues! You can recommend people from the UK or from overseas.

To refer a teacher:

Please send an email to education@hourglasseducation.com with the candidate’s CV attached. Please title the email ‘Teacher referral’.

Terms and Conditions:

• Referred candidates must be ‘new’ to Hourglass. If we have previously received their details through other channels we cannot pay a referral fee
• Candidates must be employed as a teacher on a full-time basis. We offer a separate referral fee of £75 for support/ admin staff.
• Only one person can claim a referral fee for each teacher. In the event of a dispute, Hourglass Education’s decision is final
• Your referral must be emailed to us and must include the CV of the candidate
• You must gain the permission of the person in question prior to referring them
• Your referral fee will be paid by BACS and is taxable
• We can only pay referral fees if you hold a UK bank account in your own name. Proof of this will be required
• You must have permission from the person that you are referring
• Referral fees will be paid when the referred candidate has completed one full term of employment in their new school

Please send a copy of your up to date CV and we will be in touch to arrange an initial chat. You can upload your CV here.

The first step is to submit your details to Hourglass. We ask you for a CV (resume) which outlines your teaching qualifications and experience, and it can be uploaded here.

One of our consultants will assess your CV, and if you have the skills, qualifications and experience we’re looking for, we’ll get in touch.

We will outline the financial implications of relocating to the UK. You will need to budget for the visa fees, air fare, and the money you need to set up home in England before your first salary payment is due. Please note – Hourglass does not take a fee from you, or from your salary, at any stage.

We will arrange an online registration interview with one of our consultants. The purpose of the registration meeting, is to learn about you, and to explore your working history to fully understand your skillset.

The team will then have what they need to get to work on identifying suitable roles at our client schools. When we find a suitable opportunity, we’ll be in touch to give you  a full picture of the school environment and if you’re happy, we’ll arrange an interview on your behalf.

Before the interview, your consultant will help you to prepare, and ensure you’re comfortable before meeting the school. If you’re successful at the interview stage, Hourglass will negotiate a salary in line with your skills and experience.

If you choose to accept the position, we will liaise with the school and ensure that you receive your Certificate of Sponsorship in a timely and accurate manner. Our overseas team will guide you through the visa application process, answering any questions that you may have. We’ll support your relocation to the UK, acting as a sounding board in all areas of your planning, from flight booking to accommodation. You’ll also have the benefit from an induction session covering all aspects of your relocation.

When you arrive in the UK, you’ll be a direct employee of your new school. We like to keep in touch with our candidates though, and we’ll stay in contact with you for as long as you need us to!

September is the start of the academic year in England, and is the busiest time for recruitment, but there are three principle ‘intake periods’ for new staff: January, April and September. However, schools do sometimes recruit at other times.

When you submit your CV to Hourglass we’ll assess your skills according to the current needs of our client schools. The requirements for subjects and age groups do vary which may mean you do not receive an instant reply. If that is the case, please don’t worry – we may simply be waiting for something to open up within your specialist area.

Once you’re registered with Hourglass we’ll inform you of the next likely intake period, and we’ll work towards finding you a job within that timeframe. For example, if you register with us in May we’ll work towards securing you a role starting in September. If you’re offered a role here in the UK, Hourglass will work with you and the school in order to set a realistic timeframe for the relocation. All variables will be factored in when setting this timeframe – for example your financial circumstances, your notice period, the school’s preferred start date, and the current visa processing times in the country from which you’re applying.

Hourglass a team of overseas specialists. It is this team’s job to support teachers as they prepare to move, and during the relocation and acclimatisation periods.

Of course, this is your own relocation, but we are on hand to provide whatever help you need. We are here to make your relocation as smooth as possible, and will support you as best we can.

You will need to source your own accommodation.

We can help you to find accommodation to suit your needs in the right area and according to your budget, but you will be required to provide Right to Rent documentation, and the lease will be in your name.

If you are teaching with a certificate of sponsorship, and you would like to take on additional paid work alongside your teaching duties, you will need to discuss this with your employer. You are not permitted to take on any additional paid work without their permission.

Any teacher who is not a British National wishing to work in England will require a visa. To gain entry for work in the UK, the majority of our candidates qualify for one of these three main visa categories:

• Tier 5 – Youth Mobility

• UK Ancestry visa
• Skilled Worker visa

Over the years we have helped hundreds of teachers make the move to work in UK schools. We’re proud of our specialist knowledge and experience of the visa application process. We work closely with our client schools to make sure they have the information they need to complete your sponsorship.

There is no limit to how long you can stay in the UK. For the first five years, you will continue to be sponsored, but then you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Skilled Worker – £719

Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation – £551

Youth Mobility – £470 per year

Which subjects are on the Shortage Occupation list

Mathematics, physics, science (where an element of physics will be taught), computer science and modern foreign languages.

Anyone moving to the UK for 6 months or more is required to pay a mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (HIS) in order to access the National Health Service (NHS).

For applicants eligible for the Skilled Worker visa, the IHS is £624 per year of sponsorship (therefore a two year sponsorship would be £1248).

If you have a Skilled Worker visa, the IHS is £624 per year of Sponsorship (therefore a two year sponsorship would be £1248).

For those travelling with a Youth Mobility visa, the IHS is £470 per year (therefore a two year sponsorship would be £940).

The HIS payment is made online as part of the visa application. The amount charged is based on the duration of your sponsorship. If you have a two year sponsorship, you will pay two years’ IHS.

Teachers on a Skilled Worker Visa can travel with their family. A dependant visa is required for each family member.

You will need to provide the specified documentation to show that they are legally your dependants. We can talk you through this during the registration process, and make sure you have the information you need on the basis of your family circumstances.

Family cannot travel with anyone on a Youth Mobility Visa this is for single travellers only.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide financial assistance, and neither are our client schools. We will send you a breakdown of all the costs associated with relocating and taking on a UK teaching position.

You may be eligible for Government bursaries. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-relocation-payments/international-relocation-payments