Desperate and no idea what to do?

[Jellypudmum]

Just back from yet another failed interview. Same feedback that I always get; strong candidate base, I was exceptional in interview and came very close second to the candidate who was appointed. They just had the edge on the observed teaching session. Wish they'd had two vacancies to fill etc etc. feedback for teaching session is good and despite asking for specifics it's always the response that the other candidate just had a slight edge!

I plan and deliver to all OFSTED / good practice elements and ensure I cover all bases. I'm animated and creative. What am I doing wrong?

I feel that I'll never teach again!

Have been on temp contracts / supply since resigning as a deputy and 20 yrs of teaching due to a head that was determined to get rid of all existing staff and succeeded in doing so. My confidence is at rock bottom. I used to be so proud and respected by staff, now I'm just on the scrap heap. Interviews (especially teaching fill me with dread)! What can I do?

[Jellypudmum]

Anyone, please?

[PetulaGordino]

Are you on the upper pay scale?

[PetulaGordino]

I'm guessing so with your experience. I wonder whether the "edge" is that the other candidate is cheaper

[TheReluctantCountess]

I bet it comes down to cost. You'll be more expensive than other candidates.

[runningmummy1]

I was in that situation and one of the very kind heads who turned me down said that for an interview lesson she was looking to be wowed by interesting activities and excited children. She said that ticking the ofsted box was not what she was looking for. She said that if the observed task was short and open ended such as 20 or 30 minutes on creative writing she was looking for engagement and pupil interest. I took her advice made my next interview lesson less ofsted more wow and got the job.

[TeenAndTween]

I've been on the thread about portability of pay trying to understand it.

You were a deputy so presumably being paid more because of this?

Does pay portability mean that any new employer will have to pay 'deputy rates' even if you are no longer doing a deputy role?

Are you allowed to say that yes actually you'd accept less money for less responsibility?

[mytwoblackandwhitecats]

You'll get something

No, you WILL.

I know it's awful but you just have to keep plodding on -x-

[CharlesRyder]

Could you afford to work as a HLTA or similar and then apply for a teaching position in that school when one comes up?

[Littleturkish]

Next one could be the one!

What area are you in? What is your subject?

[Justtoobad]

I agree with doing a wow lesson instead of ofstead level lesson, and have loads of ideas in the interview, be super enthusiastic etc.
And clarify your expectation of pay and progression.

[Jellypudmum]

Thanks everyone. Many if my friends have suggested it may be pay related but I just assumed they were trying to make me feel better
Will try the more wow factor approach: tbh it's more my usual style of teaching anyway! I find it almost impossible to cram OFSTED type checklist items into a 20/30 min session of learning.
Think it's my confidence that has been rocked re my teaching due to the awful events leading to my previous resignation.

[NCFTTB]

Would you consider having some counselling to boost your confidence and talk through what happening in your previous job?

[Jellypudmum]

I'm currently taking low dosage ADs and tried CBT but continual job knock backs seem to turn it into a viscous circle

[MummaSmurf1]

Any chance it could be your references?

[peacoat]

I thought that schools no longer had to honour your pay scale in a previous job? Or maybe that was just academies?

Decent schools probably will though.

[Jellypudmum]

My references are all good. I guess I just need to find a bit if strength and pick myself up

[toomuchicecream]

Your job just hasn't been advertised yet.

Or move to my area of the country. My HT told me this afternoon that at the latest Heads' meeting she had all the others looking daggers at her when she mentioned that she'd been able to recruit 2 good, experienced teachers. I know so many schools locally which have vacancies they can't fill.

[toomuchicecream]

Or, as my TA once told me when I didn't get a job, the best is yet to come.

[Jellypudmum]

Thanks Toomuch.
I've got a great friend who always tells me " what's meant for you won't pass you by!"
Really hope so!

[Jellypudmum]

Ok update. I have another interview just come through. I have to teach 10 soon to be year 1s for 15 minutes of number ( have interview as well as a presentation to do... The title of which will be revealed on the day). How can I make them go wow?

[Lilaclily]

Hopefully someone will be along soon but just wanted to say well done on getting the interview
I'm not in teaching but keep going for interviews & getting pipped to the post by younger people, it's so demoralising

[CharlesRyder]

I can't believe a school are going through song and dance interviews like that at this stage in the game! My place just seem to be checking people have a pulse.

Could you do the lesson outside and base it on some kind of active/ physical counting game? You could teach them a physical action for numbers 1 - 10 and then give them addition sums by doing the actions of two numbers and they give the answer by doing the action of the answer.

[Curioushorse]

Ah. I have the answer, I'm afraid.

Are you going for ordinary teaching jobs? This year I have had LOADS of interview, but kept not getting the job. feed back wad akways good......until I contacted a school which had failed to interview me at all. They said, 'to be honest, we wouldn't employ you. You've got more qualifications than the head. Who would want to line manage you?'
I then applied for promotions and quickly got a job. It's not what I wanted, but I guess I can see the issue.

[Curioushorse]

p.s. really good luck. I despaired several times. It leaves you feeling very low. You'll be great.

[runningmummy1]

Have a look on the resources section of TES NOT for ideas but to find what was teachers tv, they had some great lesson ideas for numbers and brilliant interactive whiteboard starts- hands on will be the key, I did a year one fraction with a giant pizza and they were the tomatoes, to find half of a number. Didn't get that job though.