Changing jobs - questions

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

I've posted before about how unhappy I am in my current job. I spoke to the HT about the issues and was fobbed off. I have now come across a similar job at a nearby school and want to apply. Having done Teach First and stayed on at my training school, I have never actually applied for a teaching post before. My question is how open I should be with my current school about the fact that I am planning on leaving. Would it be very bad manners to just hand in my resignation without having discussed the fact that I am considering leaving? In relation, the application form asks for two referees, and references are normally taken up before interview. You can indicate you don't want this, but surely that defies the objective?

How have other people dealt with this? The position starts in January, so I would also be leaving my current school mid-year, which I feel a bit shitty about. Only towards my two A level kids though, don't have any other exam classes which is part of the problem.

[noblegiraffe]

You tell the school before you apply so they are not surprised by the reference request. This is perfectly normal in schools.

You do not tell the new school not to ask for references as they’ll think you are hiding something dodgy and not hire you.

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

Thanks for your reply. Won't it completely ruin my career prospects at my current school if they know I am considering leaving? One of the reasons I am considering leaving is precisely because I feel I have been sidelined since returning from maternity leave. If I am not successful with this application, I will stay in my current place, and would then like to build my career there if I can be arsed. And regarding the new school: could I not just ask them to take up references after interview?

[skunkatanka]

For Safeguarding and right to work reasons they are supposed to take up references before interview. Your interview will be a full day too so you'll have to tell your boss in order to get the day off.
Tell them you've applied. It might shake them into realising they don't want to lose you!

[CuckooCuckooClock]

Unfortunately you have no way of keeping applications for other teaching jobs a secret from your current HT.
If you have already spoken to your HT about being unhappy in your role then he/she shouldn’t be too surprised that you are applying elsewhere.
Good luck!

[Fallulah]

Teaching applications are a different world to other sectors - you have to tell them because they take up a reference (be it a full one or a phone call) before asking you for interview, and you will need a day’s cover if you get an interview. It’s polite to tell the head you are applying so that none of this comes as a shock to them.

It’s normal, schools don’t suit everyone and it’s natural to want to move on, particularly if you’re early in your career. I don’t think they will be surprised given that you’ve already spoken about your concerns. Ideal people would leave in July and not mid year, but these things happen.

If you don’t get it or decide that the school you’ve applied to isn’t for you, then you could have another conversation with your current school about how to move forward.

[Fallulah]

Ideally* sorry.
Also you need to resign by Oct 31 - I think - to be able to leave at Christmas.

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

Thanks. The consensus does seem to be that informing the HT is the polite thing to do. Will have a chat with a trusted colleague (my former mentor) about it tomorrow just so I can say I didn't just take some internet randoms' words for it I have a feeling the head didn't like me raising my concerns and has gone a bit cold towards me since, so this could be the final nail in the coffin, but who knows... back up plan is to start TTC DC2 and then job hunt on mat leave It's all a bit scary, I have never really left a job because I didn't like it, this is my first proper career job!

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

Yes, it is 31 October. I think the new school know that though. Deadline is on Friday, so should just about be able to manage it all on time.

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

Typically, I had a lovely day in work today! Did bite the bullet and met with the head. They were extremely supportive and offered to help me if I needed it. They didn't seem at all surprised. Not sure what to make of it, but it's done now and I can always change my mind if I want to!

[LoyaltyBonus]

Many school much prefer a candidate to visit too, so to give yourself the best chance you need to ask your head to allow that time.

Good luck!

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

Would that be before the interview? The ad doesn't mention it at all. All ads at my current school do, so I just assumed it wasn't encouraged at the school I'm applying to.

[Littlebluebird123]

Even if it wasn't mentioned I would expect the candidates to visit. Always looks like they're actually interested in the school/role rather than just applying for anything. :)

[noblegiraffe]

How do candidates visit? My school barely lets you out for an interview.

[LoyaltyBonus]

It's probably more common in Primaries and I suspect a lot of candidates lie/go sick but the head at my last 2 schools wouldn't consider interviewing anyone who didn't bother visiting and at my current school you stand a much better chance if you've visited.

TBF all these heads did allow time off for their own staff to visit other schools

[SansaSnark]

When I was a PGCE student, we were explicitly told we weren't allowed time off for school visits prior to interview and it would have been very hard to lie, as obviously other schools have placement students in and links with the university. It's also likely to exclude anyone who's moving to a new part of the country.

Maybe it's the norm in primary, but I find the preference/requirement for people to visit a bit strange!

[annie987]

Yes always visit. When I’m shortlisting it really helps if I put a name to a face. If a candidate hasn’t visited, I will wonder why unless there’s an obvious reason such as relocating.
If you can’t get let off teaching, can you pop to the other school after teaching one day?

[Theoverstretchedmultitasker]

They sounded very keen on me visiting, and my HT has released me for this. Hoping I'll be able to arrange a mutually convenient time!