Teachers FAQ's

What qualifications are you looking for to teach?
Ideally Qualified Teacher Status (Q.T.S), F.E degree standard may be accepted in national curriculum subjects, as well as some overseas teaching qualifications, taken on an individual basis.

Does it cost for me to join Link Education?
No, it is against recruitment legislation for anyone to charge to register with them

I want to return to teaching after a break, what do I do?
5 years or longer you must do a return to teaching course with the local authority or university; if none are available work in local schools to update your knowledge with current initiatives and class management etc albeit probably voluntary. This will also give you a reference which is needed.
Less than 5 years you will need to provide 2 professional references, 1 being your last Head and quantify your break; be confident with current initiatives and class management.

I am overseas trained, can I teach in the England?
See our overseas trained page

Which areas do you cover?
Kent, Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Essex, Havering, Thurrock, Southend

Which sectors do you have work in?
Primary, Secondary, Nursery

Do I have to do my own CRB check?
No, we are a registered body with the CRB and all CRBs have to be done through a registered body.

Can I teach with a criminal conviction?
Depends on the conviction, we advise you to get your conviction looked at by the Secretary of State, DCSF who will issue you with a letter to allow you to continue teaching.

How do I hear about the work you have?
Once you have been interviewed and fully vetted with Link Education; you will be offered all the work that comes in that matches your skill set and circumstances.

How much do I need to be available?
It is up to you; 1 day to 1 year! As long as we know when you are available we will offer you the work pertinent to your availability.

Do I need my own resources?
Primary teachers will need to have stand alone lessons as a back up; on most days the expectation is to follow the plans in place. School let us know in advance to bring your own work we will then let you know. Secondary teachers are expected to follow the plans but to also have backup resources if the plans have gone astray or for pupils who have come to task completion. For longer term assignments you will be doing your own medium and short term planning.

How do I find all the schools?
Either from our schools directory page, we can give you addresses and postcodes. Most schools have parking on site we will inform you if not. To be prepared with maps, bus, train timetables, internet route planners will alleviate stress.

What documents do I need to bring to my interview?
Originals – teaching & degree certificates, GTC, DCSF number, Skills tests (NQT's), Induction complete (if applicable) N.I no., Photo ID – original passport, VISA (if applicable), 2 reference details, CV, 2 passport photos, bank details, proof of address & CRB

What documents do I need to take with me to schools?
Applicants copy of CRB, photo ID and Link Education’s ID card; most schools will turn you away if documents are not produced on your first visit.

Why is the Quality Mark important to me?
The Quality Mark (QM) is a department of the DCSF which sets down standards for all teaching agencies and LEA’s. We are externally audited and have to meet stringent procedures of professional practice. For teachers it is important that an agency or LEA has the QM so you have a back up from a governing body with regards standards of practice, pay and conditions etc.

What is the G.T.C?
General Teaching Council, all teachers who wish to work in state schools in England must register. If you have Q.T.S full registration and from 1st September 2009 all non Q.T.S teachers must register under the provisional registration status with the G.T.C..

Can final year teacher trainers work as a teacher?
Yes, Link Education offer work after completion of your final teaching practice; this gives valuable experience before encountering your first teaching post. Link Education can also search for your first post for you as well. We have found students are taken on after doing supply work as you can prove yourself in the classroom.

Questions about induction?
There are so many please go to the GTC website; www.gtce.org.uk/trainees_nqts/induction

What support is in place for N.Q.T’s?
Link Education consultants will nurture our NQT’s and make sure they choose the right school for them. Too many NQT’s take the first offer and end up leaving the profession. Class management ideas are given and support during and after each assignment. Feedback is also given from the schools. How to apply for their first post, how to achieve on the first teaching day and not being alone.

What support is given to teachers?
Everyone has an assigned consultant who will personally get to know what you want and offer you the work you want. Most of our staff are teachers so can advise on class management, structures of the day, expectations etc... We offer feedback from all assignments. No one is alone as supply is a lonely job.

When are we paid?
Fortnightly, directly into bank accounts

How does the process of being paid work?
Timesheets are e.mailed direct to the schools for authorisation and electonically sent back to us for your payment to commence. At the end of the day or the week if you are continuing at the school please finalise your day at the office before departing. A payslip will be e.mailed to you on the pay day.