Thank you for replying to one of my questions.

I am however just a shade confused by 2 elements of your statement which I shall label (A) and (B) and highlight below.

Kiwi Jo:

I am fully qualified NZ teacher with a BA and Postgraduate Teaching Diploma, (A) recognised by the UK qualifications authority.  I have taught for many years in NZ classrooms with full control - as one would expect from a fully qualified teacher!  However in this country (B) to gain QTS I would need to accept a drop in wages to that of a TA and resit GCSE maths and science

Am I right in thinking that the "BA + Teaching Diploma" is not recognised as sufficient to bestow QTS and that the English authorities require further specific qualifications along the lines of GCSE Maths & Science to bestow QTS?

The issue of compulsory Maths&Science GCSE is obviously a contentious one, and quite a few English people complain that it is burdensome, but I for one subscribe to the theory that this is not a burdensome requirement and can reasonably be requested of any candidate.

Obviously for foreign teachers the issue of equivalence is central, and I am not aware of what if any NZ qualifications you have to offer, but one major problem with "abroad" is that per se it is the local standards which obtain and it is the national authority which decides equivalence.

It is for instance a fact that most Canadian provinces do not recognise most English teaching qualifications. Whereas, to the best of my knowledge, Canadian qualifications are generally recognised and accepted in England.

This does not make me think "those Canadians don´t deserve English teachers," but rather "isn´t it good that Canadians demand high standards of those who wish to come and teach in their country. If only that were true here, for the people whom we allow to work as teachers!"

Just in case you think I am having a go at you by the last comment, I am not. I am thinking of TAs, CSs etc., etc., etc. who are taking classes every day of the week in this country at the same time as the government pretends to be driving up standards in schools and the media and the parents pretend to believe them.

Whilst it is your prerogative to answer as many or as few questions which I pose as you choose to, I am disappointed that, apart from a few indirect allusions at the end of your main paragraph and  in your final paragraph, neither yourself nor any other  of the overseas teachers posting here have expressed any opinion about how local teachers are treated. This was the core of my initial contribution in post no. 2.

[Though not the same issue at all, do you, for instance, think that it is only because they employ Kiwi teachers that the independent sector in the UK (read England) is "so much better"?]

Sorry for the numbering which somehow disappeared when posting but if you want to see it correctly hit reply and read.

Kiwi Jo:

UK teachers wishing to teach in NZ are able to go straight onto the NZ pay scale as soon as they are offered a position in line with their UK teaching experience.  Sure, they are unable to be fully registered when first teaching in NZ but can get signed off in time and their wages are not affected and they certainly are not treated like TAs. 

I suggest you read this thread

http://community.tes.co.uk/forums/t/117253.aspx?PageIndex=1

from the teaching overseas forum about teaching in New Zealand. UK teachers need to get their qualifications assessed, need to provide proof of where they have worked etc. That has to be done before they go to New Zealand. 

It seems to be they have the same problems as you.

Overseas Trained Teacher = OTT

Having been an OTT from the United States I luckily found none of these things true for me for the most part.

 At my first school I was hired through an agency at the last minute (well a month before school which was no picnic when moving from the US and waiting for documents, etc.) I had one year contract and then a we'll see. At first I wanted to leave, but then wanted to stay and because of some miscommunication via private conversations about my wanting to teach A-Level I wasn't able to stay for another year. During this first year, however, I did have a reduced timetable as an OTT and a mentor, just like all the NQT's so the school strove to treat me specially since I was from overseas and a brand new teacher with no experience outside of university and student teaching.

 I decided to try to find work at the end of the year and was lucky enough to be called on two interviews and asked to work at both places (outside of London, one east, one west). I choose the school in East London, very diverse, great department who were so lovely on my visit. I once again had a reduce timetable and mentoring sessions as well as attending new teacher training with lots of support from the Deputy Head who was in charge of me and another OTT from Australia. The school supported me in my gaining of QTS, even after I had let them know I wanted to move back to US. I had one of the organizations do the 'translation' of my US qualifications and never heard of anything like having to take GCSE's, but perhaps my college transcripts for those subjects were enough.

   While the QTS folder and observations were quite a lot to handle and caused quite a few tears, I have to say I was proud when it was done and ran around showing everyone this beautiful folder I made. The constant observation was hard on me and my students. I had only one KS4 group so they were being seen about every other week by someone and once they got an explanation were very understanding about it. I would go back to that school in a heartbeat!
 

I'm sorry others have had negative experiences, I know it is difficult coming from other schools but I hope everyone isn't discouraged by the bad story's.

This is really to everyone here, I have rad a few of the threads and getting the jist hopefully!

Well I am British, and have come over to Australia to do my Masters in Teaching, I have UK teaching experience and NZ Teaching experience already, I am just so fed up with the British attitude that some how we are far more superior with our qualifications and universities. The Masters in Teaching which I will start next week at Melbourne University seems to be one of THE most forward thinking and a new approach to teacher training than I have ever seen. It is a Masters incorporating the PGCE or PGDE - whatever, and will also mean the NTT will also have research specialism. I aim to come back to the UK with this qualification and want to change the Gov, Schools and UK approach to this 'OTT' thing, I think it is appaulaing that the UK regards an overseas trained teachers as unqualified unless they go through an assesment process, why should we/they? they are trained teachers just the same. I will be slightly gutted - ''an understatement' if when I am back in the UK to live and work which will hopefully be 2013 - 2014 I will be regarded as an unqualified teacher! when I have spent 1.5 years gaining my Masters and my licence to teach!

I do think the UK needs to catch up on this as it comes across as a cantankerous old man when you see what other countries are doing to strive to train up new teachers in new and refreshing approaches to teaching.

I when I was in the UK last year did a couple of teaching placements, and leading up to me leaving for Oz I applied to do my PGCE every year for three years and didn't get anywhere I can put it down to two things, the competion was and is so great, people are being made redundant and are going into teacher training as you always need teachers! and I dont have a 'C' grade in maths GCSE, well there is more to being a great teacher than getting high grades! and actually another thing I do believe Gove is wanting the requirment changed now for degree level? it is going to be a 2:1 or above?, what is it with the UK Gov that thinks if you have high quals you must be a good teacher! this is just nonsense. I have been OFSTED assesed and passed, I have lectured in FE and I have taught as a relief teacher in secondary all without my PGCE.

Being a good teacher whether overseas or UK trained comes from your empathy, instincts, the support you get professionally and to some exstent it is also a natural skill.