By role
20 agencies in the directory say they recruit primary teachers for international schools, including FlyTeachers, Alliance Recruitment Agency and Educators Overseas.
Primary is the largest hiring pool in many international schools, and the way you are screened depends on the curriculum the school sells to parents. A British school wants to see English key stage experience. An IB school wants evidence that you can teach through inquiry. An American school looks for something else again.
Understanding which of those you are applying to saves a lot of wasted applications through agencies.
In a British-curriculum school the first question is usually about your key stage and phonics or maths mastery practice. In an IB school that offers the Primary Years Programme, expect questions about units of inquiry and collaborative planning. In an American-accredited school, expect questions about standards-based planning and reporting.
The IB states that formal qualifications for teaching an IB programme are set by each school or school district, so the IB does not issue a teaching licence of its own. Its educator certificates are an add-on and not a replacement for your teaching qualification.
GOV.UK runs an Apply for QTS service for some overseas-trained teachers, and also stresses that the service cannot award a job or help with a visa. The Department for Education's iQTS route offers a different path: it is open to people living outside England, trains you for pupils aged 5 to 11 or 11 to 18, and includes a minimum of 24 weeks of school experience in your own country.
For primary-age teaching, the iQTS entry requirements include a GCSE grade 4 equivalent in maths and science, plus a bachelor's degree and an English language level of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
If you want a phase leader or subject lead role, the specialist NPQs include leading primary mathematics, leading literacy and leading teaching. They run between 12 and 22 months depending on the course, according to GOV.UK. Schools overseas do not require them, but they are a recognised English signal of leadership training.
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
Recruiter for international school teaching roles; candidates create a free account to apply
Recruitment agency
Says it places teachers, professors and trainers in international schools, universities and training academies in 36+ countries
Job board
Job board and school directory for teaching jobs abroad (claims 600+ schools in 150+ countries in its directory)
Recruitment agency · Bridge of Weir, United Kingdom
Recruits teachers for international schools, primarily in the Middle East and also East Asia, Australasia, Europe and North Africa
Recruitment agency
Recruits teachers and school leaders for international schools; site states candidates placed in Europe, Middle East, Asia and South America/Caribbean
Recruitment agency · Wakefield, United Kingdom
Offers teacher recruitment in the UK and overseas, including international schools
Recruitment agency
Describes itself as a specialist in international education recruitment with a teacher-matching service and job board
Recruitment agency · Ottawa, Canada
Places teachers in schools in the Middle East and Asia, many on British or American curricula
Recruitment platform
Teacher-hiring platform and app for international schools; says registration is free with no agency fees
Recruitment agency · Holywood, United Kingdom
Recruits teachers and school leaders for international schools in the UAE and wider GCC
Recruitment agency · York, United Kingdom
Connects teachers with international schools across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
Recruits primary and secondary teachers for schools across Asia, the Middle East, China and Europe
Recruitment agency
Places English-speaking qualified primary and secondary teachers in international schools
Recruitment agency · London, United Kingdom
Connects qualified teachers with schools in Dubai and the wider Middle East
Recruitment agency · Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Connects international schools with educators; services include permanent, supply and executive recruitment
Recruitment agency
Places teaching staff in international schools across the Middle East
Recruitment agency · United Kingdom
Places teachers and leaders in schools across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the wider UAE
Recruitment agency · Willenhall, United Kingdom
Provides teachers to American, Anglo-American, British and international schools worldwide
Job board · London, United Kingdom
UK job board for teachers looking to work abroad, covering all continents
Recruitment agency · United Kingdom
Places qualified native teachers into international schools and academies in Saudi Arabia and the GCC
Yes. The Department for Education says iQTS is for people living outside England and that you do not need teaching experience or a school job to apply.
GOV.UK gives a range of 7,950 to 9,950 pounds for a nine-month full-time course, and says applicants are not eligible for DfE or Student Finance England support.