NAHT continues to engage with the Department for Education (DfE) on the government’s plans for future recognition of overseas teachers. The quick round-up below may be of interest to schools already employing teachers from EU/EEA countries, and to those schools intending to employ teachers from EU or other countries in the future.

Recruiting teachers from overseas under the new immigration system 

European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020 – including teachers – can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme in order to continue living, working and studying in the UK. The deadline is 30 June 2021.

Overseas nationals arriving in the UK from 1 January 2021 come under the new points-based immigration system. Teachers arriving from this date, including those from the EEA and Switzerland, need to apply for a visa. Schools may need to become visa sponsors if they want to recruit teachers who are not UK or Irish nationals (see www.gov.uk/guidance/recruit-teachers-from-overseas).

Support for teachers from overseas – pilot

The DfE is trialling a new ‘acclimatisation service’ for overseas maths, physics and modern foreign languages teachers recruited by state-funded schools for a September 2021 start. This will include pre-arrival support, a two-day virtual acclimatisation training event, support throughout their first term and a further training and networking event with other international teachers once they have started in school. Schools are asked to appoint an in-school mentor, who can also access virtual training to support international teachers.

Places are limited – to sign up, email international.teacherrecruitment@education.gov.uk.

Survey for visa sponsors

The Home Office is conducting a survey of employers on the time commitments and costs associated with being a visa sponsor – to find out more and take part, see https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HOAIsponsorsurvey/.