Detailed guide: Spain’s Visiting Teachers Programme (SVTP)
Opportunity for schools to recruit qualified teachers from Spain to teach modern foreign languages (MFL).
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Overview
Spain’s Visiting Teachers Programme (SVTP) enables schools in England to recruit qualified teachers from Spain to teach Spanish, French or German for one to 3 years. All teachers have undergone a rigorous assessment and interview process carried out by senior leaders of English schools.
As part of their acclimatisation to teaching in England, appointed Spanish teachers will have access to bespoke continuing professional development (CPD) on topics such as behaviour management, safeguarding and GCSE examinations. This will be provided for teachers recruited through SVTP at no cost to schools.
What’s involved
Initial interviews in Spain
Candidates are shortlisted by Spain’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MEFP) against the applicant criteria.
Panels of headteachers and senior school leaders assess and determine candidates’ suitability for teaching modern foreign languages in England through interviews, and skills and knowledge written assessments. These are organised by the Department for Education (DfE) and take place in Madrid.
Following on from these interviews, recruiting schools are able to access candidate information online, including previous experience and notes from the assessment and interview process.
Final school-led interviews
Recruiting schools have the opportunity to undertake a final interview with their preferred candidates (using Skype or similar). DfE has appointed one of its commercial partners, Randstad Public Services Ltd, to support schools in finding a suitable teacher by shortlisting candidates against a school’s requirements and arranging these interviews.
Teacher contracts
Once schools have selected a teacher, they are responsible for the contract offer. The contract is between the school and the teacher. The employing school is responsible for paying the teacher’s salary. Contracts are initially for 1 year with an option to review annually for up to 3 years.
Acclimatisation support package
Teachers are supported with their transition into life in England and English classrooms. An acclimatisation support package is delivered by a DfE commercial partner, Prospero Group. This includes:
- pre-arrival support
- an on-arrival residential event
- post-arrival continuing professional development
All hiring schools are expected to provide an in-school mentor for day-to-day support, who will receive professional development and work in partnership with Prospero Group to successfully acclimatise your MFL teacher.
This acclimatisation package is funded by DfE.
Programme evaluation
Schools involved may be asked to participate in our evaluation. This will inform any future involvement with SVTP.
Costs
Schools appointing a teacher will need to fund:
- the teacher’s salary, in line with school teachers’ pay and conditions
- ongoing professional development and mentor support
DfE will fund:
- initial interviewing and assessing of teachers in Madrid
- reimbursing schools for obtaining enhanced DBS checks for the teacher
- an acclimatisation support package
The Spanish teachers will be expected to cover the costs of their flights, accommodation and living expenses while living in England.
Applicant criteria
Spanish teachers are shortlisted against the following criteria:
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in English, Spanish, French or German studies with a Teaching Certificate of Aptitude or a Master’s degree in teaching or equivalent.
Experience
Candidates will have at least 2 years of teaching experience in the last 8 years, as a full-time teacher in formal education, equivalent to secondary school.
Candidates without teaching experience will have been postgraduate students in education.
Other requirements
Candidates must have:
- a B2 level English proficiency, in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for languages
- a Spanish criminal background check
- a medical form (English school standard upon offer of contract)
- qualified teacher status in England (QTS)
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Published 11 January 2017
Last updated 27 July 2018 + show all updates
- Update made to reflect services delivered by DfE’s commercial partners for this programme, teachers recruited through the programme and the new name of the Spanish Ministry.
- Updated content and changed registration and email links to reflect the appointment of Randstad.
- Opportunity to register your interest in recruiting a Spanish teacher from Spain’s Visiting Teachers programme
- First published.
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