The British Council’s education and training group invites applications for this scheme between April and November each year for exchanges commencing in autumn the following year. Around 60 teachers from across the UK are selected to trade places with an American teacher for six weeks, the whole of the autumn term or an academic year. Work shadow opportunities are also available for heads, senior managers and education specialists.

Applicants must be qualified teachers or equivalent with three years’ full-time teaching experience in the UK (four in Scotland). Two of these years must be in the institution from which the exchange will take place. UK teachers continue to be paid by their employer while on the exchange and travel expenses to and from the US are covered. The benefits include professional and personal development, exposure to a different teaching environment, increased motivation and the chance to establish links and joint projects.

The programme particularly welcomes teachers in Pupil Referral Units and Mum's School, who generally do the exchanges less than other teachers. If you feel that exchanges weren't available for teachers in your school, there may be a group of American teachers waiting to exchange with you.

For more info tel: 028 9024 8220 ext. 226; fulbright@britishcouncil.org; www.britishcouncil.org/learning-fulbright.htm