Why Overseas Candidates Stay Longer | iCan Teach UK
How international hires bring stability, commitment, and long-term value to UK schools
Staff turnover is one of the biggest challenges facing UK schools today. Constant recruitment cycles, high attrition rates, and an overreliance on short-term supply cover don’t just disrupt teaching and learning — they also drain budgets and morale.
But there’s a growing group of educators who are helping schools break that cycle: overseas-trained teachers.
Contrary to outdated assumptions, data and school experience show that overseas hires often stay longer, progress further, and offer the kind of stability schools are crying out for.
Here’s why…
1. They’re in It for the Long Haul
Many overseas teachers make the move to the UK as part of a long-term career decision — not a short-term stopgap. Whether they’re motivated by professional growth, life opportunities, or a pathway to leadership, these teachers often arrive with a clear commitment to staying and progressing.
At iCan Teach UK, we regularly see international teachers who:
- Sign multi-year contracts
- Seek permanent roles over day-to-day supply
- Stay in the same school for several years
- Move into TLR, middle leadership, and even SLT positions
2. They Provide Continuity for Students
High turnover disrupts more than staffing — it affects student relationships, learning progress, and behaviour management. Overseas teachers who stay for the long term:
- Build strong relationships with pupils and families
- Maintain consistent expectations around routines and behaviour
- Provide continuity in curriculum delivery and assessment
- Contribute to whole-school improvement efforts
Students thrive when they feel known, supported, and understood — and teachers who are committed to staying make that possible.
3. They’re Career-Focused and Growth-Oriented
Many overseas educators view their time in the UK as a professional stepping stone — not just a job. They often arrive with prior teaching experience, strong subject knowledge, and a hunger to develop further.
These teachers tend to:
- Engage actively in CPD
- Seek out mentoring and leadership opportunities
- Take on extracurricular responsibilities
- Progress more quickly through internal pathways than expected
Schools benefit from this mindset — gaining staff who are motivated, ambitious, and ready to grow within the system.
4. They Reduce Recruitment and Training Costs
Recruitment is expensive — and turnover makes it even worse. Repeatedly advertising roles, onboarding new staff, and filling gaps with supply cover eats into school budgets fast.
But when overseas teachers stay for 2–3+ years, schools:
- Save money on repeat recruitment
- Spend less on agency fees and emergency cover
- Build internal capacity, reducing future vacancies
- Gain long-term return on initial training and support
In short, investing in overseas hires pays off — financially and educationally.
5. They Strengthen School Culture Over Time
Schools aren’t just looking for qualified teachers — they want staff who will contribute to the community. Overseas teachers who stay long-term:
- Join and lead staff teams and school initiatives
- Support new staff and mentor colleagues
- Build positive rapport with parents and carers
- Become integral to the fabric of the school
This kind of cultural contribution only comes with time and consistency — two things long-term overseas teachers are more than happy to offer.
Final Thoughts
If your school is struggling with teacher turnover, it might be time to change your recruitment lens.
Overseas-trained teachers don’t just fill vacancies — they bring commitment, stability, and leadership potential. With the right support, they stay longer, achieve more, and become lasting assets to the school community.
At iCan Teach UK, we’ve seen firsthand how international hires help schools reduce churn, raise standards, and build stronger teams — not just for a term, but for the future.
📩 Ready to get started?
Reach out to our iCan Teach UK team and take the first step toward your UK teaching adventure.
