Specialism overview
Departments are often smaller than in a large UK secondary school, which means teachers frequently cover a wider range of year groups and sometimes a second subject. That breadth can accelerate a career, but it is worth confirming the expected timetable before you accept a role.
Typical international-school context
Examination results carry a high profile with parents, so tracking, intervention and reporting are usually well developed. Schools also expect involvement in enrichment, trips, house systems and university guidance at post-16.
Relevant qualifications
- A degree in or closely related to your teaching subject
- PGCE, PGDE or an equivalent recognised route
- Qualified Teacher Status where required by the school
- Examination experience with the boards the school uses
Experience schools may value
- Teaching to IGCSE and A Level, or to IB Diploma level
- Examination marking or moderation
- Form tutoring and pastoral responsibility
- Curriculum writing and scheme of work development
Preparing your CV
International schools read a lot of CVs, so make the secondary subject detail easy to find. Lead with your current role, then set out the curriculum, year groups and qualifications you have taught, and keep the formatting plain so it survives being forwarded as a PDF.
- Name the curriculum and examination boards you have worked with
- Give year groups or key stages rather than vague phase descriptions
- Include leadership, mentoring or coordination responsibilities
- Mention relevant professional development and accreditation
- Keep it to two pages and avoid photographs or personal identifiers you do not need to share
Interview preparation
Most international recruitment starts with an online interview, often followed by a task, a recorded lesson or a live teaching activity. Schools want to see how you think about learning, not a rehearsed script.
Prepare examples that show impact over time: a group you moved forward, a scheme of work you rebuilt, a pastoral situation you handled well. Have questions ready about curriculum, timetable, support staffing and induction, because thoughtful questions read as professionalism.