So, you’ve secured your teaching contract and visa, packed your bags and booked your ticket to the UK. Congrats! Whether you’re heading to the heart of London, a charming village in the countryside, or a seaside town, moving to a new country as a teacher is both exciting and let’s be honest, a little overwhelming.
As someone who’s travelled internationally to teach before, I know how much smoother life can be when you’ve got the right apps in your digital toolkit. These are the apps I wish I had access to back then and I know they have helped other teachers settle in, stay sane and even save money.
Here’s my go-to list of essential apps for teachers relocating to England; all field-tested and teacher-approved!
Citymapper is my go-to for navigating city transport in London. This is a must-have, especially for supply teachers! It tells you exactly how to get from point A to B using buses, tubes, trains, bikes and even walking. It updates in real-time, so no nasty surprises during your morning commute.
Uber, Bolt and Freenow are reliable transport apps. Free Now even gives you access to London’s iconic black cabs, which I think you should ride in at least once. Let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t want to navigate the tube after a long day.
Planning a weekend, school-holiday getaway or travelling by train to your new school? Trainline helps you book train tickets, compare prices and check timetables across the UK rail network.
National Express and Megabus are cheaper than trains and perfect for intercity travel. I once went from London to Edinburgh for less than a Friday night takeaway!
Monzo and Starling are digital banks with no hidden fees, slick apps and instant notifications. They are super helpful to track spending and save money.
Revolut is fantastic for currency exchange and international transfers, making it a very reliable digital bank to use.
Sharing accommodation? Splitwise saves friendships. Easily split bills, track expenses and avoid awkward “who owes what” convos.
Rightmove and Zoopla are top apps for scoping out rental properties. Use them to compare neighbourhoods, prices and amenities.
If you’re not ready for a solo flat, SpareRoom is the place to find house shares or roommates. This is a great way to keep your accommodation expenses manageable and meet some new people!
Loop and Utrack help you monitor your energy use and save on bills.
Don’t commit to a place until you’ve tested the internet speed! Trust me, a slow connection can derail a late-night marking session or a Netflix night.
Major supermarkets with apps for online grocery shopping, reward card savings and delivery slots can be very useful. Some of these include:
Too Good To Go is an app that helps rescue surplus food from cafes, bakeries and restaurants at a discount. Eco-friendly, budget-friendly and delicious!
Sometimes you just need dinner to show up at your door after a long day of teaching. These apps have you covered!
Firstly, you must register with your local GP. The NHS app then allows you to book appointments, order prescriptions, and view medical records, all in one place.
Order NHS prescriptions straight to your doorstep. Ideal for busy teachers with no time to queue at the pharmacy.
Calm is a great app to help with mindfulness, sleep and managing stress. Your first term teaching in the UK can be stressful as you adjust to all the newness. Homesickness and British winter blues hit some people harder than expected! Prioritise your self-care.
Twinkl is a goldmine of teaching resources tailored to the UK curriculum. Lesson plans, worksheets and displays. I always suggest looking for suitable and available resources before you decide to reinvent the wheel.
Many UK schools use one of these platforms for assignments, communication and even staff meetings. Get familiar with them early!
I have used Notion to plan lessons, track goals and even organise weekend trips. Trello is great for task-based planning, too.
You know your students are using it, so why not support yourself by using AI teacher tools? TeacherMate is aligned to the UK curriculum specifically and many schools are advocating for it to support the everyday teaching workload.
A social app where neighbours share events, safety info and tips. Great for finding everything from a lost cat to a local handyman.
If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you legally need a TV Licence.
Super handy in diverse communities where multiple languages are spoken.
I found some of my best friends through local expat and teacher meetups. Whether you’re into yoga, pub quizzes or weekend hikes, putting yourself out there will help you find your tribe.
Build your professional network, find CPD opportunities and stay connected with fellow educators.
Our partners at Creative Education offer over 400 different on-demand CPD courses, live weekly meet-ups and as an Engage Teacher, you have access to all of these for free!
Relocating to England as a teacher is an adventure and like any great adventure, it helps to have the right tools. These apps will make your transition smoother, weekends more fun and weekdays more manageable.
Ready to start your relocation journey? Register with us today and let us guide you through every step of your relocation journey.
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