Irish Secondary Teacher: Why I Did The Right Thing Moving From Dublin To London

By Louise O’Riley, Irish Secondary Teacher

I’ve never really been much of a home-bird. After growing up in Dublin I got the travelling bug as soon as I hit university and ever since then my top priority has been saving up to experience the next big city. After spending a couple of years living in Berlin, studying and working as a Teaching Assistant, I decided to become a Secondary Teacher. Naturally after completing my PGDE at UCD I sought to find my next adventure.

3 years ago I moved to London to work as a German and Music Teacher in KS3 to KS5. I went straight into a long-term teaching role in North-West London (after having been offered 3 full time positions) and honestly the first term was one of the most hectic and animated times of my life! I soon learned that teaching jobs in London require far more energy and engagement than anything I had been prepared for in Ireland, and during my first year here I learnt more than I had over the previous 3 in Ireland and Germany.

When it comes to technology, student and self-evaluation, organisation and accountability I can’t imagine a more thorough system. I must admit that it did take getting used to; overseas teachers working the in UK must be prepared to put in the extra hours while adjusting to the UK way of doing things.  But whether you stay for only the NQT year, a 2-year visa or settle down to a life-long career you will find support from other overseas teachers at every turn. London is without a doubt the best UK city to find like-minded people from your country – I have a feeling I’ve met more Irish and Aussies people than English!

I can see myself in London for many years to come and (even with St. Patrick’s Day only one week away) the incredible London-Irish community has extinguished any homesickness I felt at the outset of my UK experience. It’s truly a wonderful, stimulating and exciting place to begin any teaching career.

Are you interested in coming to the UK to take up a teaching job?  Read more about the documentation you’ll need to bring with you in another of Prospero Teaching’s blog here.  Alternatively contact one of our Overseas Candidate Managers at teaching@prosperoteaching.com with your CV or read more about what Prospero Teaching can offer overseas teachers coming to work in the UK.

Do you have any experiences you’d like to share about being an overseas supply teacher in the UK?

Had you ever taught in large urban schools before arriving in the UK?

Do you know where to make contact with the Irish community in London?