FAQ
How do I apply for a police clearance check from my home country?
We recommend visiting the embassy website for your home country. If you are from New Zealand, South Africa or Australia please follow the links below.
I want to know more about the U.K police checking system - the CRB (Criminal Records Bureau)
This is a carefully regulated one stop shop service that enables organisations to gain access to important criminal and other information for recruitment and licensing purposes. By providing wider access to criminal record information, the CRB helps employers in the public, private and voluntary sectors identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially that involving contact with children or other vulnerable members of society.
All teachers that have lived in the UK for 6 months or more are required to hold a CRB Enhanced Disclosure Check.
For more information go to http://www.crb.gov.uk/
How do I check if my qualifications are comparable to U. K. Standards?
The National Academic Recognition Information Centre or UK NARIC is the national agency under contract to the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). They are the official source of information and advice on the comparability of international qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide with those in the UK. http://www.naric.org.uk
Where can I get U.K. immigration or visa advice?
We are not able to offer help or advice with regard to immigration. Please contact the office for Immigration and Nationality on http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
I do not understand the terms used in London schools
Click here for our Glossary of Terms
I need information about the U.K. National Curriculum
The following websites are a great start.
Schemes of Work
Is there a U.K "teachers" website?
Yes. A great site including teaching, learning and professional development sections http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/
I want to know more about the Department for Education
Known as the DfES the Department for Education and Skills handles all things education http://www.dfes.gov.uk
I want to know more about Teacher Training in the U.K
Please click here for information about Teacher Training http://www.canteach.gov.uk/
What is Qualified Teacher Status?
QTS or Qualified Teacher Status is similar to Teacher Registration in Australia and New Zealand. It is awarded to teachers after they have completed teacher training. For more information go to http://www.gtce.org.uk/gtcinfo/qualifiedstat.asp
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education. Their principal role is the management of school inspections. http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
What Limited Companies can I use and what do they offer?
The Inland Revenue has recently invoked a piece of legislation which states that teachers should not use Limited Companies. A lot of limited companies will no longer work with teachers. Some have changed their way of operating to comply with the new legislation, whereas others are continuing as they are. For more information, please call Jan in the office on 020 7629 8786.
What information do I need to give to my limited company when I sign up?
If you do decide to set up a Limited Company please follow the steps below to ensure that you are paid correctly and on time.
Your limited company will need the following information about us:
Tel: 020 7629 8786
Fax: 020 7629 8828
Postal Address: 10 South Molton Street, London W1K 5QJ
Contact: Jan Vickers
Email: jan@Veracityeducation.com
Please ask your company to email invoice copies to this address. Please discuss daily rate with us as it is not the same as PAYE.
A P60 is a tax form that states your earnings and tax deductions for the respective tax year. You will need it when you do your tax return or should you want to make a claim for tax credits. It also helps you to check whether your employer is using the correct National Insurance number and deducting the right rate of National Insurance Contributions. We usually receive our P60's every year in May from our accountant and will notify you when we will be sending them to you.
A P45 is a tax form that you will receive when changing employers. If you have a new job, send Part 2 and 3 to your new employer. Keep part 1A to assist you at the end of the tax year when you want to apply for a tax refund. Make sure you do not lose it, as it is not possible to issue replacements! If you are now using a Limited Company, contact them for more details on how to proceed. NB. Read the "To the employee" section on Part 2.
How can I apply for a tax refund?
If you wish to apply for a tax repayment, send your P60's and P45's with a covering letter to your local tax office. (NB. Do not forget to make photocopies for your own records first!) In your cover letter you should state that you are applying for a repayment due to the fact that you are a supply teacher and the nature of the work is irregular. You should list all periods of employment & unemployment for that tax year including all school holidays.
Include any P60's & P45's that you may have received from previous employers. If you do not have your P45's then you need to ask your previous employers for a statement of earnings or P60. Include your current contact details, address, phone number and NI number if you have one. Include your bank account details if you want the repayment to be paid directly into your account or an address if you would rather receive a cheque.
The tax office looks at each individual case before a refund is due. They take into consideration your personal circumstances i.e. travelling / arriving to the UK in the middle in the tax year etc...Your tax will then be calculated on this basis & hopefully a refund will be due your way!! For further information on how to apply for a tax refund, please contact the tax office on 0845 3000 627 or consult the website of the Inland Revenue on http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/
Leaving the UK - What do I have to do before I go back home?
In order to claim back your remaining tax when you have left or are about to leave the UK, you need to fill in a P85 form and together with your P60's and P45's submit it to your local tax office.
What are tax credits and when am I entitled to them?
You can apply for two different tax credits - a Child Tax Credit or a Working Tax Credit. Couples must make a joint tax credits application. If you are part of a couple you cannot decide to apply as a single person.
Child Tax Credit is for people who are responsible for at least one child or qualifying young person. Child Tax Credit is paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children. If you are a lone parent you will receive the payment.
Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who usually work 16 hours or more a week, are paid for that work and expect to work for at least 4 weeks. You also have to be aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child or aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week. As part of Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of childcare. If you receive the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, this will always be paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children, alongside payments of Child Tax Credit. The amount of tax credits you receive will depend on your annual income.
To find out whether you are eligible for tax credits or if you want any other information, please consult the Inland Revenue website on http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/
Everything about National Insurance (NI)
Should you not yet have a National Insurance number, you need to contact your local Social Security office and ask for an appointment for an interview. You may need to continue calling them for some time as they are usually very busy - it can take a few weeks until you get an appointment. Veracity Education can supply you with a letter to confirm you are working for us, which you will need for the interview - so let us know when you have an interview appointment! Should you have any questions about National Insurance contributions, please consult www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/nic/
What do the different tax codes mean and which one do you need?
When you first start working for us you will be asked to fill in a P46 form - a tax form for new employees. On this form there are different options to select which amongst other things will determine your tax code. The two main tax codes are a basic rate tax code and a main job tax code. You will be on a main job tax code with the agency you work for the most and you will then receive tax allowances. For any other work that you do you will be on a basic rate tax code.
