If teaching in the UK no longer feels like the job you chose, a new classroom overseas offers a chance to see your career from a new perspective. Before deciding the only way out is to leave, ask whether the problem is the job you trained for or the environment you work in.
It’s not just you
Teaching is widely recognised as one of the most stressful professions in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive consistently ranks education among the top sectors for work-related stress, anxiety, and depression. The Teacher Wellbeing Index reports that about 76 per cent of education staff feel stressed, and over 77 per cent experience symptoms of poor mental health due to their jobs.
According to the Department for Education, 38,600 full-time equivalent qualified teachers left the state-funded sector in England in 2024/25. Around one in twelve (that’s 8.5%) of the qualified teaching workforce.
We recognise the UK teaching system faces significant challenges. Issues like pay not keeping pace with the wider economy, school funding, and workload are not easily resolved. But these problems lie within the system, not the profession. Taking a break from your UK classroom could be more constructive than leaving teaching entirely.
What Ireland does differently
Ireland has already recognised the value of broadening teachers’ perspectives. Irish teachers can apply for a secondment of up to five school years, renewed annually after twelve months of continuous service. Seniority and pension rights remain unaffected, providing a structured way to step outside the system without losing professional standing.
In contrast, UK teachers do not have access to a formal national secondment scheme with the same flexibility. Some local authorities and multi-academy trusts may offer career breaks or sabbaticals. But these are less common and not always guaranteed. UK teachers considering time abroad often need to resign or negotiate unpaid leave case-by-case. Pensions or job security may not be protected. This difference makes the Irish approach uniquely supportive for teachers seeking experience elsewhere.
Changing schools within the same system won’t necessarily address the issues that are creating reasons to quit. Moving to a different system for a set period and obtaining a fresh perspective on your career can be a more effective solution.
The honest trade-offs
International schools ask more of teachers in some areas and less in others. The combination is what makes the experience valuable, not just different.
International teaching brings its own pressures, and it is important to consider these challenges as well as the benefits.
Well-funded, well-resourced schools with smaller class sizes and better pay exist across the international sector. Many teachers benefit from working in them. But many international schools operate for profit, meaning you’d be working for a business with different priorities than schools back home.
Job security is less certain than in the UK state sector. You won’t have union protection or access to pension schemes. You may be able to pay national insurance contributions whilst abroad to ensure your state pension is unaffected.
The emotional and psychological challenges of relocating are significant and should be considered. Visiting a country and living there are very different experiences. No amount of research fully prepares you for that gap. Support networks such as international teaching associations and expatriate groups can help teachers adapt by offering practical advice. Online communities on Facebook and Reddit offer reassurance and a sense of belonging. Another well-known resource supporting UK teachers abroad is the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). This community provides practical information about settling in, advice on contracts and legal matters, and everyday emotional support.
Why the experience still matters
Stepping away can provide clarity. Teaching abroad offers a new perspective on a career that may feel stagnant. Along with properly funded professional development, international teaching can offer cross-curricular fluency, cultural awareness, and the ability to lead in fast-changing, ambiguous environments.
Exposure to different approaches and learning how other systems address behaviour management or curriculum delivery is a valuable way to grow professionally.
Varied curriculum models, including British, American, and IB frameworks, give teachers direct experience of assessment approaches they would otherwise only read about.
For many teachers, the experience is truly rewarding, whether they return home to apply new insights or continue teaching internationally. Both outcomes are valuable, and exposure to different systems, leadership styles, and curricula benefits teachers in any setting.
“The people I know who took the leap almost universally don’t regret it. Even the ones who went back after 4 or 5 years came back richer in the ways that actually count. They have a different relationship with work; they know what they want out of a city. Worst case, you teach for two years, hate it, and come home with savings and stories. Best case, you build a life that the 55-year-old version of you actually thanks you for.” – Reddit User r/Internationalteachers
This experience can remind teachers why they chose the profession. New colleagues, a different pace, and fresh perspectives can rekindle a passion for teaching. This may have diminished due to workload and pressure at home. International teaching is not a lesser version of what you already do. It is a different version, often built around the parts of the job that first drew you to it.
Relieving reservations
The real barrier to teaching overseas for UK teachers is not visas or salary negotiations. Often it is simply overcoming a fear of the unknown. The belief that leaving is permanent and that returning means starting over.
Leaving anything familiar feels daunting. Whether that is a house move, a relationship, or a job you have shaped your identity around for years.
It helps to remember that this is not as permanent as it may feel. Flights go both ways. If it does not work out, you can always come home.
What will change is your confidence. Teachers who have spent years overseas talk less about destinations and more about who they became; more open-minded, adaptable, and sure of their own judgement. This happens because the job forces you to solve problems without the safety net of doing things the usual way.
None of this means every placement is perfect. Schools abroad have their own frustrations, just as schools at home do. Family circumstances make the decision more complicated than for someone moving alone. But teachers who have made the leap tend to agree on one thing: the version of themselves that emerges, professionally and personally, is worth the discomfort of the first few months.
“Made the move to Thailand seven years ago and it was the best move I’ve ever made, both on a personal and professional level. Nerves are natural; embrace the excitement and good luck with your move!” – Reddit user r/Internationalteachers
The goal is not to leave teaching, but to discover whether you still have a passion for it.
If teaching in the UK has brought you close to burnout, leaving the profession is not your only option. Exploring teaching elsewhere may help you rediscover your passion. International teaching can truly enrich your career. Handled well, it can turn disillusionment into renewal.
chk Education places British and Irish teachers in premium international schools that prioritise safeguarding, mission clarity, and genuine staff investment. If you are considering whether a secondment abroad could be right for you, we invite you to start a conversation by sending us your CV. This does not commit you to anything but provides enough background for us to assess your suitability for overseas teaching.
