Many teachers are searching for jobs abroad in the hope of finding better working conditions, a survey has suggested.

More than a third of the UK’s teachers (34.6%) are actively looking for work overseas, according to a poll by education recruitment firm Eteach, while a similar proportion (31.8%) said they are “open” to the idea.

The survey, which questioned almost 800 teachers, found that many older teachers are now keen on adding the growing number of international movers from the UK.

Of those looking abroad, one of the biggest reasons given was better working conditions, cited by 32.8% of respondents. The biggest reason was broadening horizons (52.7%).

Eteach chief executive Paul Howells, said: “In the past year we have seen a marked increase in the demand for international posts among teachers – many of whom are very experienced. Moving abroad to teach, either full-time or for a sabbatical, can add a whole new dimension to their career prospects and also their classroom when they return to the UK.

“It is, however, the great teachers who are looking to make the move permanently that we should be concerned about. We all need to address the reasons why they are leaving – we can’t do anything about the ones looking for better weather but we shouldn’t be losing excellent, experienced teachers because of working conditions.”