Job Discussion Forums

[hurrimark]

Anyone worked with Chatteris, recently or in the past?
What were your experiences and is the 13000 per month ok to live on?
Also what hours did you work?
Do they recruit all year around? I.e If I applied now and got accepted, could I start in early 2011?
Do you get any say in the area that you will be placed?

Thank you for your guidance.

[Jospeh]

I worked with them last year (Aug. '09 - May '10).

My experiences ... were mixed. There were some things I hated, sure, but most everything was stuff you're going to find in teaching in HK anywhere (coworkers, admin). I mostly loved the actual job. You can PM me if you want more info. Overall, it's fine for a gap year for recent university grads (which is who they market themselves to), and/or as a stepping stone to better jobs. If you're looking to get on the EDB's NET scheme, there were usually a handful of people accepted each year, as the actual experience in HK primaries was valued highly by the EDB. None were accepted last year because the EDB wanted people to have a TEFL certificate (e.g. CELTA) before applying (in previous years, people got on the scheme and did the CELTA the summer before they started).

I worked in a primary school - for most people, that means ~7.30am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday (and the occasional Saturday for special events). Not sure for secondary or VTC. I worked overtime a lot, but there shouldn't be any need to.

They do recruit all year round, but it's for the start date in August. There's three weeks of orientation/training then you start at your school on 1st Sept. The website hadn't been updated for ages last time I checked but people do drop out during the year and they usually advertise for replacements on there. I would email them so that they have you on file in case a vacancy appears. In that case though they'd want you out there asap so you'd need the money for the flight and setting up costs ready to go.

They do ask where you want to work and where you're thinking of living, but I don't think that has much influence on your placement. They just say that HK is small and you can commute. They don't (or didn't) have any secondary schools on HK Island. There are a few schools in the New Territories, including one way up in Fan Ling. Obviously if you got a place during the year (rather than applying for the standard 11-12 intake) you wouldn't get any choice.

ETA: I wrote about living on that salary here. I stand by what I said - you can do HK on a Chatteris wage, and if it feels like poverty you're doing it wrong. If you have a teaching degree and teaching experience you can do better, i.e. apply for the NET scheme for 11-12. If you're at the other end of the scale, I'd rather work for Chatteris than for a private language school. If you think you might want to stay in HK, though, get your CELTA before coming over. It really is the absolute minimum, even though Chatteris doesn't require it.

[Daniel1234]

I met some girls who worked with them they were happy enough - it seems secure and well organized for a foreigner, but they pay is low. If you want you could find twice as much easily if you have a degree.

[Jospeh]

So apparently people can PM me when I've made three posts but I can't PM them back until I've made five so ... *post 4*

[Jospeh]

And ... *post 5*

Will drop you a PM now.