Who to use as a reference if you have only one line manager?

[Nant90]

I am a teacher (SLT) and have to provide two references. Obviously one will be the head, which is fine, but who do I put as the second? I have been at my place for over 20 years and many people who have line-managed me in the past have now gone and we are not in touch. In my current role, only the head and deputy are above me. Others are on the same level as me and don't really know what I do. The deputy also doesn't really know and is also one of the reasons I want to leave as he is pretty toxic so I don't want to put him.

What do I do?

All the references where I work are from HR, not personal ones. Can you get a HR one and a personal one from the head?

HR surely?

Can you not just put a colleague if not specified? I have two line managers, one useless and a bit of a knob, the other I would give up my job for if he left, as would 99% of the workforce.

If I found myself needing a second reference, I'd go with HR, they have absolutely no idea who I am, just a number to confirm start dates/end dates....etc. Likely the same for you.

If in a similar to your situation, I'd go with the head and HR.

HR? You mean someone at County Hall to whom she is a name on a list?

What about the chair of governors? Depending on the kind of governors you have, I suppose.

(and thinking back to my experience of shortlisting teaching staff: it's your application that will talk about what you do. Your reference will just confirm that)

Thanks all - will probably put HR then as we do have someone in that role ion school who sort of knows me in that she knows my attendance stats and has access to my CPD records so I imagine that will do.

Yes, I know what you mean as I have also been involved in shortlisting. It annoys me as you have to agree to references being asked for before interview in teaching so you have to tell your Head when you apply, yet certainly at my school we never ask for them before interview. I know why it's like that but it's bloody annoying!