The Refugees into Teaching (RiT) project is funded by the TDA and led by the Refugee Council. It offers information, advice and guidance to refugees who want to qualify as teachers in the UK. The project aims to help refugee teachers get jobs in schools that can lead to them gaining qualified teacher status.
RiT has developed the national refugee teachers’ database mapping the distribution and makeup of refugee teachers in England and Wales. So far over 200 teachers have registered and around a third are interested in priority subjects, particularly maths and science.
The Refugees into Teaching project currently focuses on West London (West London Partnership) and the West Midlands (Newman College) but people outside these areas can also get advice, help and information. Benefits of registering with the project include access to RiT information and services include:
- the quarterly RiT newsletter
- membership of the RiT e-group, a discussion forum for refugee teachers
- free help from UKNARIC on how your qualifications compare in the UK
- short courses on the education system
- personal help with a work plan, application forms, getting work experience and accessing language support
- work placements in schools, and
- help starting teacher training programmes you can do while working in a school.
The Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit has launched a new website for refugee teachers. Your path to a career in education aims to provide clear and accessible information for anyone starting or continuing a career in education in the UK. The site allows you to input details of your previous qualifications and print out a summary to help you to make the right decision by checking your experience against the opportunities available. The site also provides information on possible routes into education and the qualifications and experience you need to enter training or employment.
