A Are you really looking for a headship or do you want to move out of the secondary sector into primary teaching?

Most primary schools are small compared to secondaries and the head’s role has to combine teaching and leadership, much as you do in your current post. Your experience as chair of governors will be useful, but will you feel comfortable teaching the whole curriculum?

To be successful you will need to convince a board of governors. You will also need to have undertaken or be working towards the NPQH.

Q I am thinking of taking a sabbatical. Could you tell me about any countries where my experience and knowledge of the national curriculum would be useful?

A Around the world there is a network of international schools that teach either a version of the British curriculum or an Amerian curriculum. The language of instruction is usually English. You can find such international schools in cities as far away as Sao Paulo in Brazil and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

Many advertise in The TES. You can find out more by checking the handbook or website of the European Council of International Schools. which acts as an umbrella organisation for many of these schools.

Q I’d like to teach in London but am worried about finding somewhere to live. Are there any housing associations for teachers or any public housing schemes that give priority to teachers?

A Housing costs are a worry for those who don’t know the capital well.

Many boroughs now employ recruitment strategy managers, paid for by the Teacher Training Agency. They may be able to advise you on possibilities within their areas.

Ask the teaching information line (01245 454454) for details on how to contact them or check The TES First Appointments supplements (the next one is due out in mid January), where many London authorities provide details of who to contact to answer questions like yours.