Schools saved by teachers from Down Under

5:30pm Friday 18th July 2008

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The Aussie accent is becoming more prevalent in Craven classrooms as more and more overseas teachers are recruited to work in the region's schools.

The influx from "Down Under" has been driven by a shortfall in the number of new teacher recruits, according to the Training and Development Agency for Schools, and also changing demographics from a decline in birthrates over the past few decades.

The introduction of the two-year working Visa and the Ancestry Visa has made the rules on travelling to the UK easier and Skipton-based teacher recruitment agency, justteachers, has been instrumental in bringing many Australian teachers into Craven schools.

International manager Paul Willis said: "In addition to the local culture and history, Australian teachers like the similarities of our education system, language, currency and easy going, friendly, sociable people."

And the overseas teachers are proving a hit with the children.

Peta Cave has been teaching at St Stephen's School, in Skipton, where pupils are said to adore their visitor.

A spokesman for the school said: "Mrs Cave is really professional and very fair with the children and they respond very well to her. They love to listen to her accent and hear tales about Australia - all the animals, wildlife and people."

Australian teacher Prue Long, who recently taught in Craven schools, has written a diary about the differences between Craven and Brisbane.

She writes: "I immediately noticed the difference in the landscape as we flew into Manchester. The rolling green fields and mountainous countryside was a welcoming sight. It was drizzling with rain but having left Level 6 Water Restrictions in Brisbane I enjoyed the change and was not expecting anything less. I did notice I was one of the few people sightseeing in Manchester without an umbrella!

"I spent a couple of days at the justteachers office in Skipton which is located in an old corn mill. It is an incredible building with so much character - much like its office staff!

"I went for an early morning jog to the outskirts of town and I was amazed to see so many rabbits popping up everywhere. I am so used to the sight of hares - rabbits are so much cuter.

"I also found myself stopping and staring at the sheep. I never imagined they would be so different. We rarely see a black sheep and our Merino Sheep don't have the same tail as the Suffolk. I began to wonder what coloured milk the English cows produce!

"A drive through the countryside to Grassington was straight out of a scene from the movie PS I Love You', which I had just viewed on flight from Australia.

"The stone hedges and narrow roads are priceless. I can't believe more people aren't moving to this incredible part of the world. It is so picturesque and beautiful.

"I don't know why the English complain about the weather - it was hot and sunny the whole time I was there (five days in total).

"Parks were bursting at the seams with families picnicking and soaking up the sun's rays. It made me laugh to see people lying in deck chairs which they had hired.

"The fashion was so pretty - lots of sundresses and sandals - it is not unusual for Australians to wear dark colours all year round. It made me realise how much we take our "Aussie" weather for granted.

"It is nice to hear that Aussie teachers are in demand in England due to their teaching ability, attitude and outlook on life.

"The whole overseas experience' is only ever going to be as good as you want it to be. If you go with an open mind and a positive attitude you will return with life long memories and a richer outlook on life and teaching in general. In the short amount of time I had in England, I learnt more about myself and my profession than I would have done staying here in Australia."