Teachers in Scotland

VSO is the leading international development charity that sends volunteers to live and work in over 40 countries across Africa, Asia and South America to fight poverty and disadvantage.

Within education, VSO works to ensure all children have access to good quality education as part of our commitment to making the millennium goal of `Education for All’ by 2015 a reality.

VSO, a member of the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS), is currently working with the Scottish Government to promote an important initiative, which will make it easier for all educationalists to volunteer overseas.

Volunteer with job security 

Thanks to the Career Break Policy, written by the Scottish Government, COSLA and the Teachers’ panel, educationalists with two years continuous service can now take a career break of either between six months and two years and return to their job, or take between two to five years off, and be guaranteed a job within their local authority on their return. This will not only make it easier for experienced teachers to volunteer with VSO, it will also contribute towards Scotland’s evolving International Development framework.

Bring the world into your classroom

VSO overseas placements also provide you with a unique insight to help you educate children about global citizenship and cultural awareness. This means that when you return to Scotland you’ll be well placed to tackle this key component of the new Curriculum for Excellence. All of this, with the Career Break Policy, means that there has never been a better time to volunteer. Volunteering with VSO really can benefit you, your school and Scotland.

Further information

• VSO's recruitment of primary teachers
• Education career break policy (pdf)