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Situated in the North West of England and having a population of just under 500,000, Liverpool is the fourth-largest city in the UK. The city has a rich and diverse history dating back to when it was founded by King John in 1207, in its past Liverpool became an economic powerhouse being referred to as the ‘Second City of Empire’ even overtaking London at times. The city's more recent history is focused on pop-culture and performers, with the Guinness Book of World Records still proclaiming it as the world capital of pop music. 

For those interested in music you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied, immerse yourself in Beatles history or head to the top of the historic radio tower. If you want to delve into the cities nautical past than exploring the Merseyside Maritime Museum won’t disappoint – there’s plenty going on outside the classroom.

As of 2016, Liverpool has an impressive 37 schools that are described by Ofsted as “outstanding” and a further 99 that are rated as “good” which consist of primary and secondary schools, as well as nurseries and special schools. In South Liverpool one standout institute, The Blue Coat, is ranked among the top 20 schools in the UK by The Times with 86% of pupils achieving between A*-B at A-Level.

For more information or to apply for a teaching position, please contact the Randstad Liverpool Office.

Enjoying the highest quality of living of any city in the UK outside of London, Birmingham is a great choice for people in all professions including teaching. Greater Birmingham has many of the country’s top performing schools, and the percentage increase of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools has been outperforming national rates since 2010.

A large part of the city's educational success is due to the Birmingham Education Partnership (BEP), which provides support for a diverse range of schools across the city. With the lure of much lower house prices than the capital and a vibrant and diverse student population, it’s no surprise that Birmingham is consistently popular with teachers.

For more information or to apply for a teaching position in Birmingham, please contact the Randstad Birmingham Office.

Although not the official capital of Scotland, Glasgow is the country’s biggest city with an estimated 1.2 million inhabitants in the Greater Glasgow area. There’s plenty for Glaswegians to be proud of and people possibly relocating should take the time to experience the food, culture and history the city has in abundance.

Take a wonder around Glasgow City Chambers, which is said to have more marble that the Vatican. Or, dig into a curry – Glasgow is said to be the birth place of Tikka Masala which was invented in Kelvinbridge back in the 70’s, or so they say. If you venture to the west part of town the University of Glasgow, which is the fourth oldest University in the English-speaking world, is a beacon of academic excellence.

Glasgow’s schools also fair well with many closing the gap on ambitious targets that were previously set, the executive director for education Maureen McKenna states that “Our schools and young people should be very proud of their exam results - last year they recorded Glasgow’s best ever results.” This progress is being championed through Education Scotland, the national body supporting quality and improvement in learning and teaching.

Previously a post-industrial city in the North that was famous for the invention of stainless steel, Sheffield has come a long way and is forging a new future for itself.

The city has something to suit everyone, from natural greenery being on the cusp of the Peak District to entertainment and shopping in Meadowhall – Yorkshire’s largest shopping centre. And if you’re after something sportier Sheffield won’t disappoint, with the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and Sheffield Arena practically on your doorstep you’ll have a choice of darts, swimming, ice hockey and lots of other sports to keep you amused.

Education in Sheffield has shown much improvement, 24 primary schools in the city are rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted and newly implemented assessments such as Progress and Attainment 8 indicate that Sheffield’s schools perform above the national average. This success is likely due to the investment in teacher training which is paying off, the Sheffield Institute of Education (SIoE) has received an 'outstanding' rating for both early years and primary teacher training.

If you’d like more information or to apply for a teaching role, please contact the Randstad Yorkshire Office.

Away from ‘The Big Smoke’ but in close proximity to Manchester, Leeds offers a charm all of its own. The city is considered to be the UK's most successful business, financial and legal hub outside of the capital and has shopping, food, and culture in spades. For teachers looking to relocate it's good to know that outside of the classroom and school hours, there's plenty going on.

In terms of education, Leeds is home to three universities, two of which are located directly in the city centre. Leeds University is often rated as one of the top universities in the country, and schools in the city are also performing well. Reports indicate that Leeds school pupils achieved the highest increase in GCSE results in Yorkshire from 2015 to 2016. With steadily improving school performance, a high quality of life and relatively low property prices, Leeds is a great choice for teachers seeking new pastures.

For further information, advice or to apply to for a teaching position in Leeds please contact the Randstad Leeds Office.

With a rich industrial heritage, a popular social scene, and two world-famous football teams there's no shortage of things to do in Manchester. The city also lies within the second most populated area of the UK, Greater Manchester, which has an estimated population of 2.8 million - many of whom are students.

Not only are there an abundance of things to do in the city but accommodation is far cheaper than the capital and average property prices are almost 40% lower, bringing down the cost of living substantially.

A recent study by The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2018 found that Manchester had 77 of the UK's best performing schools. This list ranks schools, sixth forms and academies according to the percentage of students achieving A* to B, such high performance will provide a stimulating and great working environment for teachers.

The exceptional achievements by some educational institutions in Manchester may be due to Teach Manchester, a partnership of schools, colleges, and centres striving for outstanding performance for every child by all teachers in the city. A great quality of living, coupled with fantastic teaching opportunities make Manchester an attractive option.

To apply for a teaching job in Manchester or for further information, please contact the Randstad Manchester Office.

Plymouth is famous for its maritime history and waterfront setting but there’s more to this south coast city than its surrounding beaches. It has 37 ancient monuments, regularly hosts exhibitions and events at venues including the Barbican and in 2018 will see MTV arrive with its Ocean City Sounds.

Leisure time can be filled with sea-based activities as well as taking in the wealth of picturesque views on walks around the city and its vantage points. Eating in Plymouth is a feast for the senses with everything from local favourites to popular family friendly waterfront pubs and cafes.

Education is at the heart of the city council’s plans to invest in Plymouth. Currently the number of pupils that attend schools judged “good” or better by Ofsted across all key stages is remarkably high at 84%, and last year the proportion of pupils in Plymouth achieving good GCSE grades in English and Maths increased by almost 3%.

If you would like further information or to apply for a teaching position, please contact the Randstad Plymouth Office.

Considered by many as the gem of the North East, Newcastle feels like a small city but what it might lack in size it more than makes up for in character. The first thing visitors often notice after arriving in the city is how friendly the people are and their cheer is matched by the architectural beauty of its Grade I and II listed buildings. With a bustling night economy as well as trendy daytime cafes and restaurants, Newcastle also has the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage events venue. Plans are also afoot for a new indoor arena on the banks of the River Tyne.

Newcastle City Council predicts the pupil population in the city will rise in the coming years creating extra demand for hiring more teaching staff. A below average number of primary and secondary pupils in Newcastle attend ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools and a key priority is to ensure that all schools judged by Ofsted are either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

The Scottish capital is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in Europe famed for its hilly relief, Old Town and Georgian New Town as well as being home to one of the world’s leading universities. Edinburgh is consistently voted one of the best places to visit in the UK and its National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle are the 11th and 12th most visited tourist attractions in the country. The city has a growing food scene and, of course, is home to the famous Fringe comedy festival.

Edinburgh’s City Vision 2050 states that ‘every child will have the best start in life’. Overall, early years and schools provide excellent education for children and young people in the city but efforts are being made to improve provisions for disadvantaged pupils and close the poverty related attainment gap.

Named as the best place to live in the UK in 2017, Bristol has a big city feel for its small size and, with its waterfront setting, was also named as the fourth best city in the world to visit by Rough Guides. A growing local economy and heavy investment in developments like Bristol Temple Quarter are attracting companies and talented workers alike leading to a surge in pop-up eateries and new big brand shops as well as Europe’s longest street of independent shops at Gloucester Road.

There was once a time when parents would move out of Bristol to get their children into better schools nearby but a turnaround in standards and conditions there has seen the city rise into Ofsted’s top 20 authorities in the country. Today, about 96% of all children in Bristol attend secondary schools rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted, more than a third more (35%) than in 2012, when the regulator changed its inspection measures.

If it’s a lively and growing city committed to retaining its character and quirks, Bristol could be the city for you.

For more information or to apply for a local teaching position, please contact the Randstad Bristol Office.

If the fresh air and sea breeze capture your fancy, then Brighton could be the place for you. In recent years the city has become very sought-after with some areas commanding property prices that would make even Londoners’ eyes water, but there is much to love in this seaside location.

Brighton has its own vibe and the residents have an extremely strong sense of community. There are a huge range of cuisines on offer, particularly seafood being so close to the shore, and the city is well known for its music culture and shopping.

Both, primary and secondary schools perform well in Brighton. In 2015, according to new government figures, nearly 90% of primary schools in Brighton and Hove were ranked ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. This is a rise of 10% from 2013, demonstrating the huge improvement across the board which has been attributed to 'a good working partnership between the local authority and its schools and effective school-to-school support'. If a coastal retreat with great primary and secondary schools is what you're after, Brighton ticks all the boxes.

Voted time and time again as one of the best cities in Europe, London has a rich and varied history and is a cultural melting pot. Many of the previously struggling inner-city schools have seen dramatic improvements with GSCE results on the rise, this can be partly credited to numerous government initiatives, and additional spending being put into the educational system.

The high achievement of pupils in London schools attracts top-tier educational professionals. Some may initially be put off by the many expenses associated with living in London such as travel, however, qualified NQTs in the capital receive a higher starting salary of £27K to help compensate for the higher living cost. If the hustle and bustle of the city and multi-cultural blend appeals to you, then London is a great option.

For further information on teaching jobs in London, please contact the Randstad London Office.

One of the most famous and historic cities in the UK, Cambridge is best known for its university, which the Sunday Times ranked the best in the country and joint second best in the world.

It combines the old charm of tradition and heritage with the vibrancy you’d expect from a city with a cosmopolitan student population, this means Cambridge is full of vibrant bars, cafes and restaurants.

The city is connected to London and the Midlands and then the North via the nearby M11, which is one of the reasons technology and science companies have chosen Cambridge as their HQ.

The number of ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ secondary schools in Cambridgeshire rose by 20% according to a report last year by Ofsted and now stands at 83%. Overall, schools in the East of England serve children well and there are measures in place to improve teaching provisions in primary schools in Cambridgeshire where 84% are either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

For further information or to apply for a teaching position, please get in touch with the Randstad Cambridge Office.