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'Teaching here is a lot harder' - Canadian expat

Tom Percival/BBC Lauren Ellis, who has long, dark hair and is wearing a purple top, is smiling at the camera. There is a brick building to her left and a rain-soaked shopping street to her right.Tom Percival/BBC
Lauren Ellis had to go part-time to relieve the pressure of her teaching job

A teacher who emigrated from Canada to work in UK schools says the British education system is "built on altruism".

Lauren Ellis now works at Weavers Academy in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

She told the BBC the system relies on teachers "doing it for the kids" but many realise they have to look after themselves and leave the profession.

Labour has promised to recruit 6,500 new teachers to ease the pressure on the profession.

Lauren Ellis's brother has lived in the UK, so she is entitled to a visa and got a job in a school in Corby, Northamptonshire.

When her parents crossed the pond as well, her relocation became permanent.

Although Ms Ellis never taught in Canada, she knows people who did and said: "It's a lot harder than it is back home - there were loads of jobs going here and now I know why.

"There's a lot more pressure on teachers to get results and less about helping the students to achieve their results."

PA Media Classroom scene with unidentifiable children in blue school sweaters sitting at desks. A basket of stationery items is in the foreground.PA Media
Lauren Ellis says the system relies on teachers "doing it for the children"

She believes this is one reason why many teachers are trying to leave the profession.

She said: "People get in to teaching because they want to do it for the children, and that keeps them in there only so long.

"Our system is built on altruism, and there's only so long that can last before it becomes 'I have to look after myself as well'."

Ms Ellis went part-time seven years ago, working four days a week, but, in reality, she still does 35-40 hours each week, including Sunday afternoons.

She said she often worked before going to school in the mornings as well.

PA Media Man with short brown hair and moustache has one hand on his head and the other holding a pen with which he is writing in an exercise book. A pile of purple and yellow books sits to his left and a pile of text books to his right.PA Media
Lauren Ellis says long hours and extra work have become the norm

She is now a union representative for the National Education Union, but does not often hear complaints from members about the long hours and extra work because "we've come to accept this as the norm, and I think that's wrong".

Although Ms Ellis "likes teaching, I wouldn't really want to leave it", she said it "takes a big toll on me and I get really frustrated".

She added: "Maybe there's something else out there for me."

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The education secretary has already begun a reset of the government’s relationship with the sector, with the intent to re-establish teaching as an attractive, expert and ultimately go-to profession for graduates.

“We are taking steps to support teachers’ wellbeing and ease workload pressures, including clarifying that teachers can carry out their planning time at home, improving flexible working for staff.

“This is on top of the confirmed above-inflation 5.5% teacher pay award. We will continue to work with the sector to ensure that teachers not only stay in the profession, but thrive.”

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