Preparation for the Arrival of Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs)

As you are aware changes made by the Borders and Immigration Authority have made it very difficult indeed to employ Overseas Trained Teachers (those trained outside the EEA and Switzerland) except for secondary Maths and Science teachers. However these reduced numbers of OTTs are still prone to encountering difficulties we can help try to avoid.

Arriving in an unfamiliar country can be a daunting experience for many without having to take on the challenge of a range of classes of young people you have never met before and a curriculum or syllabus you are unfamiliar with. We have identified some of the key areas that can lead to problems, and thanks to contributions from some of our high schools that are currently employing OTTs, we offer a few suggestions to make the introduction of OTTs to your school a potentially smoother process.

Issues	Possible preventative actions
Differences in cultural values	Make them aware that some children in England's schools do not see education as a gift of great worth, which may contrast starkly with their 'home' culture It is vital they are made aware of what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behaviour by teachers toward young people in a school setting here in England. A briefing by the member of staff designated the school's child protection/safeguarding officer is vital. This can help avoid serious problems later.
Uncertainties cause anxiety	Provide them, on appointment, with the email address/phone no. of a member of staff willing to act as a contact point/'buddy' to allay anxiety
Syllabus/NC familiarity	Provide them with relevant syllabuses and National Curriculum info at the earliest opportunity (possibly by email weeks before they arrive in the UK)
Familiarity with 'typical' multipart, interactive lesson structure	If at all possible let them have their first day or two in your school observing and team teaching with a member of staff who is a really positive role model
Behaviour management	Make them aware of the kind of issues they are likely to face (e.g. low level disruption, confrontation etc.) before they go in to a classroom, by conversation, and preferably observation/team teaching, with a good 'behaviour management role model'. Provide links to relevant materials for them to look at e.g. www.behaviour4learning.ac.uk www.teachernet.gov.uk Teachers TV
Understanding of the breadth of teachers duties in the UK	Make them aware that they will be expected to write reports, liase with parents informally and at parent consultation evenings, and have an important role in child protection
Reservations some parents may hold about their presence	Be pre-emptive. Celebrate their imminent arrival in your newsletter/on your website saying how pleased you are about them joining your staff and the extra dimension their presence will bring to your school
Financial, medical, internet access etc	Provide them with external contacts for help with these not directly school related issues. There is a 'Voluntary Code of Practice on Employing Migrant/Overseas staff in Great Britain' on www.bitc.org.uk.