Ringing headteacher for teaching application

[watermelon9w]

Hi,
I want to apply for a teaching job in a local school.
Due to Covid, visits are not allowed so in the advert it says that interested candidates can call the headteacher for a chat and then provides a phone number.

However, it's half term and I find the whole ringing up on the phone and asking questions about the school a bit awkward (as in I don't even know what I would ask), unlike a school visit in which you can comment and ask questions as you walk around.

Do I just ring on Monday, despite it being half-term? And what type of questions would I ask over the phone.
The job advert closes on the 2nd week of half term.

Any tips?
Do I just ring? Or would that be rude?

If it's half term will anyone even be there? Our schools don't break up until Wednesday.

@allAuntieDolly that's what I'm unsure about. The schools here broke up on Friday and the job advert was listed on Thursday and closes the week after next which is still half-term

Are you an NQT?
I would ask about opportunities for professional development, I phoned a head a few weeks ago as no visits allowed they told me all about the school and the kind of candidate they were looking for etc

It's not holiday for another week in a lot of areas. It might be the last week of term, depending where you are. I'm assuming you would know, OP, but if it's across an LA boundary it might be different.

@Teach234 yes NQT but I have been a supply teacher for a year

@ElizabethinherGermanGarden Definitely half-term here

Phone, for heaven’s sake! How do you think you’ll manage as a teacher, when you have to phone parents etc?

@Cherrysoup Of course I can phone - I am asking for advice for questions and whether the half-term is appropriate time to ring?
Dear me, some people get uptight for no reason.

You can't guarantee someone will be there to help you but it's definitely worth trying. You could always try the headteacher's email to express your interest and potentially arrange a phone call if the email address is available on the website.
Good luck with your application.

It’s not half term, it’s the Easter holidays, but that’s besides the point. Many schools don’t break up till Thursday, but I presume you know your area’s holidays.

My HT wouldn’t physically be in school next week but would answer emails. I’d be tempted to email, express an interest in the role and ask if it would be possible to arrange a quick Zoom/phone consultation before the closing date.

The numbers there so just phone they will either answer or you can leave a message and they will phone you back

If you are in the UK it is now The Easter Holidays. I would have thought a teacher would have known

Don't call it half term on the phone! Half term is the week holiday in the middle of each term. This holiday is the Easter holiday between terms. I know I sound like a twat but it really gets on my nerves. Christmas, Easter and summer and end of term hides

Is there an email instead if you feel more comfortable doing that? I agree it seems odd to tell you to call when people are unlikely to be in. Maybe they will expect you to leave a message and they will call you back to arrange a time. Let's face it, if you called, the receptionist would take a message and arrange a phone meeting with the head rather than you speak to the head there and then even if school was open.

Not a teacher so might be rubbish advice, but I'd never anticipate a headteacher would be immediately available to take my call whether term time or not. Assuming they or admin staff answer, I'd open with "is it possible to arrange a phone call regarding the advertised post". Alternatively drop them an email as previous posters have advised.

And some people ask daft q. If the end date for applications is the week after next (Easter holidays, not half term as it’s the end of a full term, yes, I’m being pedantic) then phone.

I find the whole ringing up on the phone and asking questions about the school a bit awkward (as in I don't even know what I would ask)

Why awkward? There are tons of questions to ask. Read their website, make notes, write questions eg can you clarify this for me, could you expand on what is meant by etc. Blimey, I had 2 pages of A4 on one job! Obviously I didn’t ask everything, but I wanted to know if I’d be a form tutor, who the line manager for my department was etc.

It wouldn’t be a “chat” though. It’d be a first interview! You certainly wouldn’t be getting an unbiased view of the school.
Unless you have specific questions you want answered then I don’t think I would bother.

@Howshouldibehave Half-term is just what I say as do the teachers in the current school I work at, I don't really see it as a big deal that I didn't say 'Easter Holidays',
and yes half-term has definitely started around here;
Yes I might email on Monday and ask if it would be possible to arrange a phone call - thanks for the advice!

Don't call. Just submit your application

@user1471505494 Oh my goodness, I didn't realise mumsnet was such a 'bitchy' site - I have come on here to ask a question not to be lectured on calling the Easter holiday, half-term.
I really hope you're not a teacher with such a blunt attitude and getting angry over minor things.
Big deal whether I said half-term or Easter holiday - if you have a problem with it, start your own thread as this thread is not about whether you find saying half-term annoying.

What are the opportunities for professional development?
How is pupil and staff wellbeing monitored and maintained?
What support is in place for any LAC children and has there been a noticeable difference in levels LAC children are working at with support implemented?
How is diversity acknowledge and celebrated across the school on a day to day basis?

A head teacher is unlikely to have finished work yet for the Easter holidays (it’s not half term, it’s not half way through a term it’s the end of a term). More so in secondary than primary.

You can ring and leave a message. Most schools will have an answer machine. Administrative staff will likely pick messages up during the week. The head will likely go in at some stage too.

I will no longer be commenting back to the half-term and Easter holiday debate as I did not make the thread about that

I assume you are interested in the job? Then get the names of the holidays right or it makes a bad first impression.

@Wolfiefan I think that is what I hate about the phone call. When you visit a school, you can really get a feel for the ethos, atmosphere and what the staff are like.
I have read the website, prospectus, policies, Twitter page etc. and now I am genuinely thinking what I can ask over the phone as I feel I have the information. The only bonus would be a walk around the school but obviously that is not possible.