 |
UAE, Saudi Arabia in top 10 with highest numbers of international schools.
DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has retained its position at the top of the world's listing for countries with the highest number of English-medium international schools at 589, compared to only 511 last year. Saudi Arabia was 6th with 243 international schools, while Egypt was 8th with 191.
The data was released by The International Schools Consultancy (ISC), a leading global market intelligence and research firm focused on international English-speaking schools as part of a report that will be presented in full at the forthcoming International Private Schools Education Forum (IPSEF), Middle East on Sept. 27-28, 2016 at the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.
Richard Gaskell, Director for International Schools at the ISC, will be presenting the very latest data on international school growth in the Middle East plus a det
ailed analysis on the employment of teachers at international schoo
ls in the region.
At the resumption of the new academic year, the ISC report showed the total number of K-12 English-medium international schools worldwide at 8,489, with about 1,504 such schools located in the Middle East, which remains the largest sub-region for international schools in the world.
Going by city, Dubai leads the world for international schools with 276. Abu Dhabi lies in 3rd place with 154 schools, followed by Doha with 142. The ISC's data includes pre-schools, primary, and secondary schools.
"These impressive numbers only confirm the continuing growth the private, international school education throughout the Gulf region," said Rhona Greenhill, co-founder, IPSEF. "That said, the business landscape is changing and this presents a number of challenges for private sector stakeholders which we hope to address at the forthcoming forum where we have invited experts on how the private, international school sub-sector can continue its growth trajectory."
Overall, the ISC calculates that more than 4.3 million students are now being educated at over 8,200 international schools worldwide; by 2026, enrolment is projected to reach 8.7 million.
|
|
|
|
F
REE webinars in Nov/Dec for-
1. Those new to international schools, and a
2. Q and A for experienced teachers.
For more information
|
|
Can't Make a Fair?
Be
PROACTIVE
Using the Database to contact schools and apply for listed jobs remains the next best way to find a position.
|
|
|
|
Police Checks and the International Teacher
|
Standards are still being negotiated for school vetting of staff, but one piece of advice applies now - PLEASE make sure you obtain a criminal record check BEFORE you leave the country you are currently teaching in. This is something that is far easier to obtain while you are in a country rather than after y
ou have left.
|
|
|
Job Openings
Although some schools will not post openings until their teachers return their contracts just before the fair, there are quite a few jobs being posted daily because many teachers are informing their school head that this is definitely their last year. You are encouraged to read the daily updates carefully, view the school profiles, and contact the school directly if the school is of interest.
Every school manages their inquiries differently, and many schools will send an auto-reply "thank you for your interest..." while they screen candidates in the background. Most schools will only contact those on their "short list". Should a school ask you to fill out their school application, please do so. At this time of year, schools receive hundreds of inquiries and they need a way to organise all of these inquiries in a database. They can then sort, identify the Search Candidates, and go to the Search website to view the complete files.
It's important to u
nderstand that schools have different recruiting practices:
- Some schools are actively filling positions before the fairs.
- Some schools are interviewing candidates and doing reference checks before the fairs, and they use the fair as the last "meet and greet" before offering a contract.
- Some schools are actively screening registered candidates' files and setting up some interviews to take place even before the Interview Sign-Up Session.
- Some schools wait until the fair to do any candidate screening and schedule all of their interviews at the Interview Sign-Up Session.
- There are some schools who will ask you to fill in a completely separate application through either their own online management tool, or through a another company. Unfortunately, while we see this an unnecessary doubling up, there are a few schools who are insistent and in these cases if you really wish to follow through with the application you may need to comply. Schools such as Jakarta International School allow Search candidates to be exempt from this double up. If you are not sure you can always alert schools that you have an active file with Search Associates and welcome them to view your online profile through the Search Database.
You will see jobs come and go before the fair. You will see new jobs posted at the fair that schools did not have listed on their websites. You will see some schools cancel their attendance before the fair, while other schools might register before the fair. It's most important that you come with an open mind and a willingness to consider many parts of the world.
|
|
|
|
|
What to Expect at the Fair
|
Find out exactly what happens at the fair and read about a young couple who attended the fair previously
|
|
|
Glossary of Terms
Don't get confused with all the new acronyms you hear at the fair! Here is an explanation of some of the terms used in the international world.
|
|
|
|
In 2017, we will again be using our online fair portal. Here you can see interviews that have been scheduled with recruiters, along with the time and location. You can also access live updates, schedule changes and announcements during the fair. Recruiters will be able to see candidates who have left the fair, those who have taken a position and are no longer available. Please speak with one of our young helpers if you need any assistance or if you can offer any improvements. The usual hanging file system will work alongside the portal this year, so please remember to check both places for information.
1. I used the schools information to obtain a quick snap shot of the school which was very useful. The recruiter information was very helpful also as it allowed me to personalise cover letters and note down the names of the recruiters I wanted to meet and jog my memory of names before interviews. I also viewed the school presentation details and the position matches.
2. This was really useful - a one stop shop. Great to have all the information so easily accessible. Great organisation of the information under different categories too.
3. It was great, especially for checking updated positions of schools at the fair.
4. I used it to address recruiters by name, research schools, check jobs it was absolutely invaluable.
5. The online fair portal downloads information much faster than the website.
CLICK HERE for detailed instructions. NB. The Portal will not become 'Live' until mid-December.
|
The Bangkok Fair will be closing soon. If you are looking to attend, please email us ASAP.
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to our November newsletter. Please take a moment to read about finding a new position overseas by attending a fair OR by using the database.
Also - check that your Search profile is up to date, especially your date of availability AND please check the CONFIDENTIAL section to make sure that you have answered the question,
"Have you ever been arrested for inappropriate behaviour with children?" as this was added recently and may have been overlooked, especially if you are re-registering.
|
We are very excited to hold our fifth Melbourne Fair at
The Langham Hotel
. In 2016, over 70% of candidates who attended the Fair were made job offers and we expect similar numbers in 2017. There are a limited number of places available, as we keep the ratio of schools and candidates to around 1:4. If you are interested in attending you must be a registered candidate - please go to your dashboard and request an invitation.
|
"After sending numerous letters and CVs and completing many of the schools' online application processes and not getting anything back except the occasional auto response, it was great to come to the fair; the heads of some fantastic schools were there and ready to seriously consider candidates and offer positions." - Mark
|
|
|
Fair Preparation
Make sure you are ready to find the job of your dreams by checking you have everything you need.
Ready to go
This document and other important information can be accessed via the Search website under 'Melbourne Fair' and for registered candidates, through your dashboard under 'My fairs' - 'About this Fair'. When the Fair Portal becomes 'live' (see article below), documents will also be stored there. Paper copies will be distributed at the Fair.
|
|
Recruiters offer their advice to Fair candidates-
|
- Don't be negative regarding past teaching experiences.
- Access your Search email and online fair portal regularly during the fair. Some recruiters are only using technology to communicate.
- Respond promptly to every communication you receive! We asked some candidates for interviews and had no response.
- We met great candidates, but our issue was with the regulations that the Turkish ministry impose that prevented us from offering positions.
-
As most teachers are new to international schools, they need briefing in regard to protocols - e.g. must make contact with recruiters if they have been offered a job, not just slip notes under their doors, etc. What level equals what grade level, calendar term and other simple facts about "American or International" schools.
(this information can be found on your fair dashboard under "Glossary of Terms").
- We had a couple of last minute 'no shows,' which was disappointing. If you sign up please let us know if you can't make the interview.
- Please encourage candidates to be serious about schools with which they would like to work.
- One of our interviewees used colloquial speech like "poor bugger" and "bloody difficult". I was not offended by it but I did feel it should not have been used in an interview.
- I need contact details for follow-up when the fair is finished. Still communicating with some candidates. Not too easy when they have gone back to many different countries.
-
Always remember the importance of good communication via notes and email etc. Also be sure to clarify if they have an offer, and if so what is the time frame for a decision.
- If candidates drop something in a school's box requesting an interview it would be good if they follow up by visiting the sign-up session to speak to the school recruiter directly.
- Encourage candidates to talk at sign-ups with all schools that have vacancies in their areas, even if they aren't interested in that location. (They may change their minds.)
- Candidates need to have professional photos on their CVs - sometimes you don't always get the right first impression.
- Although the Fair does not have a range of PYP-trained candidates, their teaching philosophies and backgrounds were very aligned with what our school is doing.
- We look for quality primary teachers with solid backgrounds in inquiry, mathematics, and literacy. Not many with IBPYP experience but for the calibre of the teachers at the fair, PYP is simply a quick course on semantics. I'd rather have a strong practitioner from the Melbourne Fair that we can easily work through the PYP with, than have a 15 year vet in the PYP who still doesn't understand good practice.
- It's all about the people and not about IBPYP knowledge - good info for the new recruits coming to the Melbourne Fair without international/IBPYP teaching experience. In more than 50% of the cases, those without IBPYP are actually doing better with us than those with the experience under their belts!
|
|
Past Candidates Offer Their Advice to Fair Candidates-
|
- It definitely helped that I had dropped personalised CV's and cover letters into the school's folders beforehand so when I approached them for an interview time they were already familiar with who I was and were happy to make a time to see me.
- The ability to meet prospective employers was one of the greatest benefits. of the fair even if they had no suitable current vacancies.
- Let teachers know that the fair is a time when the recruiters are very interested in considering candidates and making offers.
- I would add that blocking out time for lunch and afternoon tea breaks in their own schedule is very important.
- I probably missed some communication somewhere, but found out informally from other candidates about features on the website and had no idea beforehand how the fair would run. Clear outline of process/ procedures (e.g. How to respond to different schools and the protocol to follow in accepting and rejecting offers (this information can be found on your fair dashboard , the newsletter and the online fair assistant. Nick also mentions it at his seminars and the candidate meeting at the fair).
- The information tabs "Ready to go" and "Big Picture" were HUGELY helpful!
- Stay at Langham- free tea and coffee all day + free wifi. DON'T eat there!
- I was thinking of staying at the TravelLodge across the road until I realised the amount of discount I would get from Search. At the discounted price, it is ok to ask teachers to pay to stay there. The hotel was amazing. The discounted rate was about right and the staff at the hotel were very accommodating. As a bonus, I loved the breakfast! I recommend to anyone attending the fair to stay at the hotel rather than do accommodations elsewhere. Paying the extra money for a nicer hotel is totally worth it when having back to back interviews throughout the weekend. The food court outside gave better value for meals that were not included in the package. Melbourne is a foodie centre so there were plenty of options available
- Be prepared for lots of interviews and no offers.
- I cannot speak highly enough for the insight, support and assistance provided to me by the associates at the fair. The well-rounded and thoughtful advice I received when I was overwhelmed by the decision-making process was pivotal to helping me make a sensible and right for me decision.
- The panel of experts were great. It was so nice to talk it through with someone who knew what they were talking about (as opposed to our family).
- We also attended Nick's seminar prior to coming and that was really helpful.
- I was extremely happy with the amount of information and helpful hints provided prior to the fair. I would have liked to have known the best times to hand in my resume/CV to recruiters e.g. whether to wait for the sign up or to place them in their mailboxes, this was the only thing I was unsure of but was guided with assistance when I spoke to Search Associates staff at the fair.
- The October 2014 Chinese visa requirement for all teachers to have min. 2-years F/T secondary teaching experience was a fact learnt at the fair. That is, I was wasting my targeting efforts at the fair. It would have been great to learn such a fact from Search Associates prior to attending, so to help my analysis. ... we live & learn.
- It was great to be in the heart of Melbourne with the ability to get out and walk along the river if you needed some fresh air or a forty degree north wind as the case may be.
- I would recommend to future candidates using the Southbank Australian Ballet carpark $20 overnight compared to $60 at Wilson carpark.
- Be prepared to have your referees contacted over the weekend- phone them in advance.
- Would have been nice to have someone on hand who knows IB- all Search staff have taught or implemented IB in their schools.
- If a job was there and now not, which is correct? (the most up to date job list is the one handwritten by the recruiter when they arrive. These will be displayed around the hotel. We also expect that this list will be updated on the online fair assistant).
- Suggest people bring snacks- keep up your energy.
- School presentations gave us excellent insights into schools and the reality of working internationally. In the end this was what made the difference for us in following up a school we initially didn't target.
|
Positions to Start January 2017-
Germany:
HS Mathematics
Korea: HS Biology teacher
Singapore: MS Maths/ Science
Thailand: HS Special Ed
|
|
|
