Joe Coulson
Communications Officer
25 June 2025
Rethinking Recruitment
Why Overseas-Trained Teachers Deserve a Seat at Your Staffroom Table
If you’re a school leader, you already know the numbers aren’t stacking up.
The 2024–25 Initial Teacher Training Census confirms what many heads and trust CEOs are seeing: domestic recruitment is still lagging behind demand. According to the Department for Education, secondary ITT targets remain significantly unmet:
- Physics is now at just 31% of target, missing by 69%.
- Mathematics reached 73%, falling short by 27%.
- Computer Science is at 37%, missing by 63%.
- Modern Foreign Languages (MFL): while exact percentage coverage isn’t confirmed here, subject-specific data shows a reliance on trained teachers from 2023, indicating continued under‑recruitment.
It’s no longer a case of ‘trying harder’ to recruit locally. It’s time to rethink where and how we find the talent our schools need.
And increasingly, that means looking overseas.
A Solution Hiding in Plain Sight
Overseas-trained teachers (OTTs), qualified professionals with QTS or eligible for it, are stepping into classrooms across England and making an immediate impact. In fact, in some regions, OTTs already account for up to 12% of new secondary school hires (National Foundation for Educational Research, 2023).
But for many school leaders, there’s still hesitation. And we understand why.
Concerns around safeguarding standards, integration challenges, visa complexity, or long-term retention are legitimate. For years, the system lacked clarity. But that landscape has changed. Significantly.
Here’s what’s different and why more schools are seeing real, sustainable value in hiring internationally.
Pedagogy, Not Just Placement
What’s most impressive isn’t just the coverage, it’s the calibre.
OTTs often bring diverse pedagogical backgrounds shaped by some of the world’s most competitive education systems. Think inquiry-based learning (Australia, Canada), high-accountability exam prep (Singapore, India), or targeted small-group instruction (South Africa). Their approaches don’t just blend in, they elevate practice.
Better still, their presence often fuels professional learning for UK-based colleagues. According to the Chartered College of Teaching, schools with a diverse faculty report stronger reflective practice and more innovative curriculum design.
Representation and Connection
Our student population is increasingly diverse, yet our teaching workforce still doesn’t reflect that reality. OTTs are helping to change that.
They bring lived experience, multilingual skills, and deep cultural awareness that resonates with students who rarely see themselves reflected at the front of the classroom. According to NASUWT, 2022 their presence improves EAL provision, enhances cultural competency, and often strengthens community engagement, especially in urban and coastal settings It’s not about optics. It’s about belonging and better outcomes.
Addressing the Apprehension
We hear this often from SLTs: “We like the idea of OTTs, but…”
Let’s unpack the most common concerns, and how they’re being addressed:
- Credential Recognition: QTS pathways have been simplified, with automatic recognition for more countries and clearer routes for others.
- Visa and Immigration: The Skilled Worker visa system is more school-friendly than ever. Education World handles the process end-to-end.
- Induction and Integration: Yes, the first year matters. But with structured mentorship, CPD, and wellbeing support, OTT retention increases.
- Cost: Financial incentives like the International Relocation Payment (IRP), £10,000 per eligible OTT paid directly to them, helps offset there location costs that may otherwise fall to the school.
Why Schools Choose Education World
Navigating overseas recruitment alone is daunting. That’s where we come in.
At Education World, we specialise in sourcing, placing, and supporting overseas-trained teachers across the UK. Our model is built on long-term success, not just filling gaps.
We provide:
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End-to-end candidate vetting and visa sponsorship support
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QTS guidance and document processing
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Cultural induction and school-based mentoring frameworks
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Ongoing post-placement care to ensure retention
We’re trusted by schools and MATs nationwide because we understand that recruitment is only step one. What matters is integration, impact, and continuity.
Final Thought: Time to Lead Differently
The staffing crisis isn’t going away. But solutions are out there, and they’re working.
Schools that embrace overseas-trained teachers are moving beyond firefighting. They’re future-proofing their workforce, enriching their staffrooms, and raising the bar for students who deserve the best.
Maybe it’s time to see OTTs not as a last resort; but as a strategic choice.
Let’s have the conversation.
Call our team today or get in touch to find out how Education World can support your school’s overseas recruitment strategy, with confidence, clarity and care. 📞