• University of Reading
  • CEOT logo
New

Teaching in England: A Guide for Overseas Secondary Teachers

Prepare to teach in England with practical guidance, classroom strategies, and cultural insights into school life.

2 female pupils sitting at their desk looking at a worksheet

Teaching in England: A Guide for Overseas Secondary Teachers

  • 4 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Accreditation available

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Overview
Syllabus
Accreditation
Start dates
Requirements
Educators
More courses
The CPD Certification Service

This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.

Build confidence in England's secondary classrooms and help your pupils thrive

Starting your teaching career in a new country is about more than learning different policies - it’s about understanding a new school culture, adapting your teaching practice, and building confidence in unfamiliar classrooms.

Developed by the University of Reading, this course supports overseas secondary teachers as they prepare to work in England.

Through the experiences of school leaders, teachers, and pupils, you’ll gain practical insight into professional expectations, classroom practice, and everyday life in English schools.

Understand the English education system

Begin by exploring how secondary education works in England.

The course will present the foundations of Teachers’ Standards, the structure of English schools, and the professional expectations placed on teachers.

You’ll also examine equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and reflect on how your existing teaching experience can support your transition into a new education system.

Develop practical classroom confidence

You’ll explore curriculum delivery, workload, safeguarding responsibilities, and effective classroom practice.

You’ll also investigate behaviour management, teaching strategies, and inclusive approaches that support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Prepare for life and work in England

Finally, you’ll look beyond the classroom to prepare for your move.

Through self-reflection and practical guidance, you’ll consider the personal and professional aspects of relocating to England, helping you feel more confident as you begin the next stage of your teaching career.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the English education system, greater confidence in your classroom practice, and practical strategies to help you succeed in your new role.

Download video: standard or HD

Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds Welcome to Teaching in Schools for the Centre of Excellence for Overseas Teachers. This tailored short course has been designed to help you before you arrive and is one part of the support that CEOT offers to help you thrive. My name is Caroline Foulkes, your course lead educator and along with my colleagues, we’ll be guiding you through the key things that we feel will help you feel confident from day one. We know that starting a teaching role in a new country brings both excitement and uncertainty. We will introduce you to the English education system, the classroom environment and what to expect both professionally and culturally.

Skip to 0 minutes and 44 seconds We cover school procedures and policies, day-to-day practicalities, the logistics of your arrival and understanding what a typical school day looks like. You will also have the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from and support one another. We value the perspective, passion and experience you bring and this course is a space for you to understand how things work here, what might be different and the support that’s available so that your talent shines. We look forward to welcoming you in person soon and hope that you enjoy the course.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Teaching context and systems

    • Welcome to the course

      Meet the Educator team, find out what you will be learning on the course and discuss what the teaching mean to you.

    • Adapting to a new school system

      Explore a typical school day, be introduce the structure of the English education system, and begin reflecting through your personal learning portfolio.

    • Unpicking habits and making new ones

      Reflect on your professional identity, explore cultural habits to unlearn, and understand key communication practices in English schools.

    • Teachers' Standards in England

      Explore the professional expectations for teachers in England, including the Teachers' Standards and British values.

    • Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)

      Explore the foundations of EDI in English education, from analysing pupil data and legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 to reflecting on how school policies create inclusive classrooms.

    • End of Week 1

      Reflect on what you have discovered about teaching in England and look ahead to what you willl cover in Week 2.

  • Week 2

    Being a teacher in an English school

    • Welcome to Week 2

      Discover what you will be learning in Week 2 and begin to explore what teaching in England involves.

    • What teaching in a English school looks like

      Gain further insight into what teachers in England are expected to teach, including the National Curriculum, exam systems, and broader responsibilities inside and outside the classroom.

    • Your workload

      Explore how to manage teacher workload effectively, with insights from a Headteacher and teachers on setting boundaries, staying organised, and maintaining well-being.

    • Safeguarding

      Understand your safeguarding responsibilities in schools through scenarios, investigating and reviewing school policies, and insights from a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

    • End of Week 2

      Reflect on what you have discovered about teaching in England and look ahead to what you willl cover in Week 3.

  • Week 3

    In the classroom

    • Welcome to Week 3

      Find out what you will be learning in Week 3.

    • Teaching expectations

      Help set your expectations through hearing a teacher reflect on the expectations versus reality of a classroom, and watching a lesson showing routines, pupil interactions, and behaviour management in action.

    • Pedagogical aspects

      Learn about managing low-level behaviour and creating a positive classroom climate. Watch routine examples and take part in a discussion task to apply your understanding of behaviour policies and expectations.

    • Teaching methods

      Explore adaptive practice as a core teaching approach, drawing on key strategies such as modelling, scaffolding, and feedback to support the diverse needs of your learners.

    • Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

      Gain insight into supporting pupils with SEND through a school leader’s perspective, explore relevant policies, and reflect on inclusive practice.

    • End of Week

      Hear directly from pupils about their school experiences and expecations, and reflect on what you have learned about teaching in a classroom. Look ahead to what you willl cover in Week 4.

  • Week 4

    Preparing to live and work in England

    • Welcome to Week 4

      Begin your final week by reflecting on your motivation to teach in England, exploring your support network, and sharing strategies for a successful transition.

    • Self-audit

      Continue reflecting on your skills, strengths, and areas for development through a practical self-audit task.

    • Coming to England

      Explore the key practicalities of relocating, including essential paperwork, financial planning, and helpful logistics for settling in Reading, with a useful checklist to guide your preparation.

    • Living in England

      Hear from overseas teachers about their experiences of living in England, explore what cultural integration might look like in your new community, and discover local services, shops, and activities in Reading.

    • End of course

      Reflect on your understanding of the topics you have covered in Week 4 and look ahead to your next steps as you begin your teaching journey in England.

Who is this accredited by?

The CPD Certification Service
The CPD Certification Service:

The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of the English secondary education system and the professional standards expected of teachers.
  • Investigate cultural differences in teaching and reflect on how they influence classroom practice and communication.
  • Compare your previous teaching experience with the role and responsibilities of a teacher in England.
  • Explore practical strategies for classroom management and supporting effective teaching and learning.
  • Reflect on personal and professional qualities needed for a successful teaching career in England.
  • Explain key school policies, including safeguarding, equality, inclusion, and SEND, and how they inform teaching practice.
  • Identify and prepare the essential paperwork and logistical arrangements for relocating to England.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for qualified overseas secondary teachers who are preparing to teach in England, and Initial Teacher Training students. It’s ideal for international educators looking to understand the English education system, classroom expectations, safeguarding responsibilities, and professional teaching standards.

Who will you learn with?

CF

Caroline Foulkes

LC

Laura Cripps

LF

Lindsey Ford

Who developed the course?

University of Reading

The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.

Centre of Excellence for Overseas Teachers (CEOT)

We are an organisation committed to helping International Qualified Teachers and international students find a clear path to teaching in the UK

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Start learning today

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$119/one-off payment

$335.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerTry this course - with limits
Access to this courseticktick

Limited to 4 weeks

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$335.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$119/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Continue & Upgrade

Start learning today

Free

Try this course - with limits

  • Limited to 4 weeks

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...

More courses you might like

Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.

The University of Edinburgh
New

Teaching Teachers: Strategies for Mentoring Student Teachers

5 weeks

2 hrs per week

Included in Unlimited

Find out more
British Council & GREAT Campaign

Study UK: Prepare to Study and Live in the UK

4.9 (278 reviews)

4 weeks

3 hrs per week

Free digital upgrade

Find out more
University of Leeds

Inclusive Education: Exploring SEND Practice and Strategies

4.8 (93 reviews)

4 weeks

1 hr per week

Free digital upgrade

Find out more

Browse more in Teaching

Professional Development for Teachers · Secondary Education Teaching
View all courses

Find the right course for you

See your personalised recommendations based on your interests and goals.

Get started