Teaching job application questions

[SummerDays95]

Posting here for traffic, just a couple of niggling questions no one in real life can answer right now!

I'm applying for an English teaching job in a secondary school. The advert says full time, but I called and they said they would consider part time for the right person. Do I mention anything on my application about this, or do I wait for the interview? I have written that I'm currently part time, but no space on the form, unless I write it in the personal statement?

Would you include a TEFL qualification, or is that seen as a bit of a joke?

When writing my gross salary, do I write it as..'£29,664 (pro rata)' if I'm part time and actually earning £17,000?

In 'other paid employment' should I put mcdonalds and the local newsagents? It says continuous employment needs to be shown since leaving education, but I went straight into teaching and just did those jobs while at college/uni, so are they relevant at all?

In my personal statement, should I include outside stuff like running in marathons etc.? I can link it to teaching but don't want to waffle.

Thank you to anyone who can answer these questions!

Hi op, you might find some good responses on the TES forum, it's specific to teaching so you might get more responses from teachers. Good luck!

Firstly, are you only applying if it is a part time position? Or can you work full time if they require it? If it’s only part time then put it on the application form.
Definitely include your TEFL qualification, all qualifications should be included, as they show a desire to learn and improve.
If the other employment was long term, part time as a student do include it, as it will show skills that are useful in teaching, for example the ability to be organised, work under pressure.
As for your personal statement, definitely include all hobbies, interests and achievements. The initial application form is for you to sell yourself as the person right for the job and get an interview. Good luck.

As for your personal statement, definitely include all hobbies, interests and achievements.

Professional interests and achievements, I'd agree, but not hobbies or marathons. There isn't enough space and you need to actually show how you meet the person spec.

All qualifications should be on, but work history only really needs to be since leaving education. Skills can be discussed in the statement and attending university covers what you were doing at the time.

Thanks both. @Beebumble2 I would only want it if it was part time. Do I write this in the personal statement?

If you've called and they've said a part-time post may be an option, I would put a sentence alluding to this in your covering letter. Just done the very same myself. Good luck!

Do I mention anything on my application about this, or do I wait for the interview?
Put it in your letter / statement. Mine said something along the lines of “I am currently in a part time role and would prefer to continue continue on a reduced timetable because…’

Would you include a TEFL qualification, or is that seen as a bit of a joke?
I wouldn’t bother, unless this is relatively early in your career and you want to show breath of experience, or this is a school with a large number of students with EAL.

When writing my gross salary, do I write it as..'£29,664 (pro rata)’?
Yes

In 'other paid employment' should I put mcdonalds and the local newsagents? It says continuous employment needs to be shown since leaving education, but I went straight into teaching and just did those jobs while at college/uni, so are they relevant at all?
Again, depends how much experience you have. I don’t list student jobs now, but I used to when I was starting out (because they can be used to demonstrate transferable skills)

In my personal statement, should I include outside stuff like running in marathons etc.? I can link it to teaching but don't want to waffle.
I generally have a short paragraph about me. Theoretically, the panel shouldn’t use that to make a decision though, so it depends how much space you have left.

BTW, The Staffroom on here is usually v helpful for these sorts of queries.

Good luck!

Yea to putting the TEFL qualification - schools are crying out for this skill as cuts have meant lots of fabulous TAs are no longer available for EFL kids

Thanks all. Just wanted to clarify @frenchfancy81 that it's not a covering letter, it's more of a 'explain how your skills and experience meet the criteria, keep it to 2 pages' sort of thing. Still put it in maybe nearer the end?

I no longer itemise pre-teaching employment and my CV doesn't even specify the first three schools I taught in, I lumped them all together as it was all taking up too much space - in your case, it depends how recently you worked in those posts. I've been teaching since 2001 (but left school in 1986).

Under safer recruitment guidelines all employment or gaps in employment need to be there.

Hobbies and interests can definitely swing an interview if you can link them to offering an enrichment activity e.g. a C25K club, helping with cross country training for school team, if you can only do PT then yes list that, if you are open to both PT/FT options - say nothing.

EFL is very relevant - link it do to being able to differentiate and support EAL

Thanks all, just doing final touches and then will probably stare at it for a few hours! I have only had one teaching job, but have been there for 7 years, so it feels a bit sparse if I don't put anything else in. I don't think I'll mention the running as I haven't started up a club or anything. I was going to but then covid hit, so I don't think it would look too good to them! Just trying to work in the part time line casually...

You cant apply for a teaching role with a cv as it doesnt meet the requirements of KCSIE

What are you applying for?