1st October 2025

Essential apps for teachers relocating to the UK

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!

Master local transport

Citymapper

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

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.

Trainline

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

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!

Budgeting tips

Monzo and Starling

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

Revolut is fantastic for currency exchange and international transfers, making it a very reliable digital bank to use. 

Splitwise

Sharing accommodation? Splitwise saves friendships. Easily split bills, track expenses and avoid awkward “who owes what” convos.

Find the perfect home

Rightmove and Zoopla

Rightmove and Zoopla are top apps for scoping out rental properties. Use them to compare neighbourhoods, prices and amenities.

SpareRoom

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

Loop and Utrack help you monitor your energy use and save on bills. 

Speedtest by Ookla

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.

Food and Essentials

Supermarkets 

Major supermarkets with apps for online grocery shopping, reward card savings and delivery slots can be very useful. Some of these include: 

• Tesco
• Sainsbury’s
• ASDA
• Morrisons 

Too Good To Go

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!

Delivery apps 

Sometimes you just need dinner to show up at your door after a long day of teaching. These apps have you covered! 

• Deliveroo 
• Uber Eats 
• Just Eat

Health and well-being

NHS App

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.

LloydsDirect

Order NHS prescriptions straight to your doorstep. Ideal for busy teachers with no time to queue at the pharmacy.

Headspace and calm

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.

Teaching and productivity

Twinkl

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. 

Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom

Many UK schools use one of these platforms for assignments, communication and even staff meetings. Get familiar with them early!

Trello and Notion

I have used Notion to plan lessons, track goals and even organise weekend trips. Trello is great for task-based planning, too.

TeacherMateAI

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.

Life in the UK

Nextdoor

A social app where neighbours share events, safety info and tips. Great for finding everything from a lost cat to a local handyman.

TV licensing

If you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer, you legally need a TV Licence. 

Google Translate

Super handy in diverse communities where multiple languages are spoken.

Social and Community

Meetup / Facebook Groups

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.

LinkedIn

Build your professional network, find CPD opportunities and stay connected with fellow educators.

Creative Education

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.