FAQ
General FAQ
We don’t just connect NETs to teaching roles—we link you to rewarding careers. Our commitment to your success runs deep: we offer personalized job matching, plus end-to-end support (visa assistance, teacher training, lesson resources, accommodation help, banking/health system guidance, and NET community engagement). With over 850 NETs placed across Hong Kong—and many advancing to EDB NET Scheme roles, local/international school direct hires, or university lecturers—we have proven we build careers, not just fill positions. Join our vibrant community, and set your sights on a thriving teaching future.
It is simple and easy! Start by filling out our online application form and uploading your CV. From there, we will guide you through a short 4-step process. Click [Explore Teaching Opportunities] to begin!
Our school network spans across kindergartens to secondary schools, and across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories. Whether you enjoy the energy of young learners or the challenge of guiding secondary students, we will have schools that match your teaching style and passion. .
Dependent on our schools’ needs, we offer regular part time and full-time positions. They range from certain mornings or days to 5 days a week. Let us know your need and we will find the perfect fit for you.
Absolutely! As our NET, you can teach our after-school programmes which run from 3:30pm to about 5pm on weekdays. We also have whole day programmes like fun day or excursions. Additionally, there are Saturday programmes which can run for 2 to 4 hours in the morning. Teaching materials for these diverse, interactive, and fun programmes are provided. Teaching these programmes help you accumulate teaching experience and enhance your teaching skills.
We genuinely care about your emotions and mental health—no exceptions. We are here to listen, guide you through every challenge, and stand by you in all circumstances. To help you feel connected, we publish our monthly e-magazine The Hub and host social events that let you bond with fellow NETs and colleagues. Living far from home in a fast-paced city demands a strong support network—and your wellbeing is always our top priority.
Our monthly e-magazine, The Hub, is a fun, easy and pleasurable read packed with updates, teaching tips, and community news. It is a great way to stay connected and be inspired as part of our NET family. We also open WhatsApp with our NETs for speedy and direct communication.
Recruitment process FAQ
Our 4-step recruitment process is simple and easy. First, fill out our simple online form and upload your CV. Second, receive our invitation to join the Spark Hire video interview via an email.
Third, receive a guide to create a Teacher Profile and for after-school programme NETs will join our scheduled exclusive training. Fourth, we shall present you positions, arrange interviews, and prepare you for the interview including demo lessons if required. Rest assured, you will be happy with positions we found for you.
If you have not heard from us three weeks after your application, regrettably, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Submit a request for deadline extension and support it with reasons. We will review your request and process it accordingly.
Take a screenshot or picture of the issue and submit it to Spark Hire. They will assist you and offer you another opportunity for the interview.
We review interviews daily and will get back to you within 5 working days. Subject to a successful interview, we will use WhatsApp to communicate and guide you through the next recruitment process.
For our full-time NETs, we provide comprehensive visa assistance and guidance to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition to Hong Kong. Our dedicated HR team will support you enthusiastically and efficiently so you can settle in fast and well in your new home!
Requirements to be a NET FAQ
TEFL or TESOL certification has become a pre-requisite for our profession. Without it, you will not be competitive in the job market. We offer exclusive discounts on TEFL certification courses to help you get certified and boost your qualifications. + LINK to TEFL UK (https://tefluk.com/partners/headstart)Third, receive a guide to create a Teacher Profile and for after-school programme NETs will join our scheduled exclusive training. Fourth, we shall present you positions, arrange interviews, and prepare you for the interview including demo lessons if required. Rest assured, you will be happy with positions we found for you.
You must have as a minimum a bachelor’s degree in any subject, a native English speaker and are familiar with the UK, USA, or Canadian curriculum. Experience in local school teaching is an advantage. Additionally, as required by the HK law, you must pass a Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC). If you have accumulated much experience in teaching, we could waive certain requirements on a case-by-case basis.
While BLNST is not compulsory for NETs, many schools have requested NETs to take the test. We encourage NETs to complete the test as soon as possible to be competitive. The CSR Bureau is providing online test for BLNST, allowing you to take it at your convenience. Headstart provides support to our NETs for the test.
IELTS Academic is strongly recommended. The reason? Many schools now use the NET Grant to fund their NET positions, and this growing trend has made IELTS a prerequisite for teaching. Headstart takes the guesswork out of prep: we’ve partnered with IDL (an official IELTS provider) to offer exclusive, customised IELTS training built for NETs.
School Placement FAQ
We start with you—taking the time to understand your passion for teaching, your professional experience, and your specific preferences (from location to grade level). Alongside this, we share tailored suggestions and market insight to keep you informed. Then, we filter our extensive Hong Kong school network to connect you with roles where you will be happy, thrive, and make a meaningful impact.
Absolutely. We will provide tailored insights, specific interview details, and practice for commonly asked questions to ensure you are fully prepared to shine. If you would like, we can also arrange for a teaching assistant to accompany you to the school.
Support for PGCE studies depends on the school. Generally, schools prefer the NETs to delay pursuing the PGCE studies until the second year when the schools can be confident that the NETs can balance work and studies effectively.
Curriculum FAQ
Headstart Academy is our training hub established to nurture your growth as an educator. Our trainers conduct workshops on topics like classroom management, lesson design and planning, STEAM for kindergartens, Primary Literacy Programmes, and HKDSE curriculum. These trainings empower you with skills and knowledge to excel in the classroom.
As a full time NET, you are expected to follow and enhance the school-based curriculum and create teaching resources such as PowerPoint accordingly. For after-school programmes, we provide teaching materials and resources to our NETs.
Typically, schools provide core textbooks, teacher guides, and access to multimedia resources and learning platforms. It will be best to clarify with the school if you will have access to a shared drive, online tools (like Google Classroom or interactive whiteboards), or a resource library.
Many schools offer onboarding or training to familiarise new NETs with the curriculum, school policies, and job expectations. If there is no formal programme, they may provide one-on-one support by a teacher in the English department.
At Headstart, we offer a variety of trainings, including PLP Reading/Writing—a curriculum commonly used in primary schools, as well as knowledge-sharing workshops led by our experienced and successful teachers.
This varies with schools. Some schools expect strict adherence to their curriculum, while others encourage teacher creativity and innovation. It is advisable for you to ask about the schools on pacing, assessments, and classroom autonomy.
Many schools schedule regular professional development, peer observations, and performance reviews. They help support teachers’ growth and align their teaching methods with school goals.
To ensure teaching quality and to provide constructive feedback, Headstart conducts at least two classroom observations a year.
