Waiting To Hear About A Job Overseas

[Guest]

Hi

 

I interviewed for an Early Years Leader job this week (I was the only person they interviewed in UK) and it was my first applicatin and interview for an international school.

interviewing two more people who already work in international schools. So I have a 1 in 3 chance of getting this job in a school with a great reputation.

I have been thinking about this change for over a year now and I have just handed in my notice at work to finish end of August.

The school sounds great, new Head is bringing in changes, accommodation etc is free and tax free salary is equivalent to what I earn now. Will actually be able to save alot each month (hopefully)

Living overseas and adjusting to lifestlye will not faze me. The only things are head wanted to know how I will lead the team as two early years staff applied internally for job and did not get it, he talked about friction within large staff team and resistance to his changes. He couldn't answer some of my questions around planning and assessment but said he wants someone who can move these areas on in early years. If I get it I would be one of two reception teachers and there are also two nursery teachers. Each class has a TA.

Classes each have about 19-20 children. He talked about the difference between parent partnership in the place I work in now (the head was also previously local to my area) and his school. They don't seem to have had open days for parents in the past and the staff don't get together for planning meetings.

Basically there seems alot of work to do but he said it is a blank canvas and I can tell there would be support from senior management. The school is for children from 3 - 18, 50 nationalities but English has to be at a certain standard before they will be given a place. Fees are high but it is also a rich country in the middle east. There is a large waiting list as well.

I am concerned that staff in early yars will be resistant to me getting job they wanted and concerned if I am unhappy at work I am also thousands of miles away from home and most of my family.

[Sue R]

Hi,

 

Tough situation - not really sure of advice, as we're coming from different places, me being a lot older than you. Certainly it's a great opportunity and sounds as though it has the potential to be a very fulfilling job. You sound as if you really want the job, and I suspect what you really need is reassurance, here. If you have access to a computer (and I can't imagine you won't), we'll all still be here anytime!!

 

Whatever, let us know how things turn out.

 

Sue

[Guest]

I can only wait now for an email in next week and a half. Wherever I go to teach next I will always be logging on to this site.

Thanks

 

[Alison]

see that you do keep in touch, we want to hear all about your new job where ever you end up? its always great to hear about new experiences especially if they are international.....

 

on the subject of taking over and exiting team of staff....

some times in the work place its better to get an outsider in with fresh insight than promoting from within, I took on my job with a team of staff 7 years ago and I found it really hard at first I had so much enthusiasm and ideas I wanted to see everything happen straight away. Now 7 years later I can see some of those ideas have finally taken root and been accepted some I have only managed to impliment in the last two or three years!!

 

Sometimes trying to change everything all at once can be difficult I found it impossible to start with, the staff and parents needed time to adjust to me as a new member of staff before they could respect my ideas.

 

Take time to weight up the staff, children and parents and how they respond to little suggestions that will give you some idea of how to tackle any major changes. I walked into my seting thinking "new brooms sweeps clean" and upset everyone! and I now know how to get things changed without major grief.

 

after a few weeks of starting the job I wrote myself list of things I would like to do and change in the group (like a wish list) I then put the list away at the back of a draw so that I would forget about it then 12 months later looked at the list and I was able to assess what of my ideas I had achieved and what ideas I'd had were foolish and what ideas I still thourght where good ideas It was quite a usefull exercise because I learned that at the start of the job I only had my ideas and knew little about the needs of the group

 

All the best with the job!!

[Guest]

Thank you for the advice Alison. Very useful.

[Guest]

Should hear about job in Qatar by middle of next week but had another interview yesterday in London. I left my house at 4:30am and returned at 8pm, it was a long day but did relax and read a book on the train journeys. Interviewed for a Reception teacher job in Tripoli, Libya and the Head called me at 9am this morning to offer it to me. I am waiting for the contract to be sent, which will be two weeks or more, as they are on Easter break.

 

Paid on UK scale, paid in sterling into my bank. Tax free and pension contributions paid as a bonus. Will live in a 2 bed flat on school site. Flat has own separate entrance. Another teacher, around my age lives in other school flat. (Other teachers live on compound near beach, a couple in own houses). My flat will be fully furnished, utilities paid, washing machine, local satellite, TV, DVD, air con and will have access to school broadband internet! School will also pay for shipping and I get money equivalent to two return flights a year.

 

Libya wasn't a place I was looking at moving to but the school and the package swayed it for me. Cost of living is low, taxis cheap. Lots of culture/history to explore. No nightclubs, theatres, cinemas and no booze. Teachers tend to socialise together at each other's houses. Apparently it is a bit more liberal than middle east, in that can wear strappy tops/bikinis on beach. Hope to do some scuba diving in the Med and lots of snorkelling and sunbathing while I'm there.

 

Need to see contract before I can start planning any further. Still feels a little unreal.

[Guest]

Congratulations!!! It sounds fantastic i am very jealous!

Good luck

 

Lola

[Guest]

Aaahhh! Just thought, what am I going to do without Priniciples, Coast, Next, Molton Brown and my Friday night Pinot Grigio.

[Sue R]

Well done!!

 

I'm sure you'll cope - you'll be richer and more healthy (hopefully! - well if you're like me, you will be!!!!!)

 

Sue

[Beau]

How exciting for you Louise. Life is what you make of it and this is obviously a move you are keen to make. Everything has it's pro's and con's but once committed on it I would focus on the positive's!

[Guest]

Thanks for replies. So looking forward to move.

 

Just being giddy on here - I had to tell you all my news. It took until late afternoon before I came off internet, I spent hours checking out places to visit, prices of flights etc.

 

Thanks again.

x

[Guest]

o0o0o well done you. Sounds very exciting and what an adventure! Don't think I could do it, but then if we all wanted the same things then life would be very dull!!

[Guest]

What fantastic news for you, I must admit a little green with envy. There is a big wide world out there just waiting to be experienced. If I was younger and no commitments..................

Still, I can look forward to exploring when I retire.

 

Before you go, can you get email or chat contact with the teachers who are already there? Might be useful to get a feel for the place, and if they are British they may have a list of items such as T-bags etc that you could take over with you as a Hello gift to your new team mates.

 

Peggy

[Susan]

Missed this!

Well done Louise and good luck. I am sure you will make it a success and with that internet access, we can look forward to hearing all about it too!!!

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for all your warm wishes of good luck.

 

Peggy - I have emailed head asking for email address for one of the teachers, so I can plan what I need to bring (own bedding, cutlery etc). I will offer to bring items out for them and if no-one takes me up on it (as many will be returning to Britain for the Summer) perhaps I should take a basket of goodies into the Staff room when I start anyway.

[Guest]

Good idea

 

Peggy

[Guest]

CONGRATULATIONS LOUISE!!!

 

You must be so excited about your new job! I've only just seen this thread, shocking really when I think how long I spend here, but well done!! Make sure you do keep in touch and let us all know how you're getting on!

 

Well done!