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?

@Ploughingthrough Yes I'm thinking of just sending my application in and keeping my fingers crossed :) As I said before, I feel I'd be ringing for the sake of ringing and, therefore, wasting the head's time.
I think a visit to the school is really beneficial but I feel a phone call would just be reciting information I can read as I can actually see it in action over a call.

*can't see it in action

On the advert it says that tours around the school will be given to those who are shortlisted for an interview and then just says:
'You can call us for a relaxed discussion about the school' and then just says who the head teacher is and the number.

Yeah if you have no question for the head (ie you've found out all the info you need) then just fling an application in. In the real world Headteachers are super busy, might be recruiting for a number of roles and dont really want to chat on the phone with a potential applicant unless it's a genuine question.
Just do your research and apply for the job, making it clear in your letter why the school appeals to you. Good luck

Just apply.

You can ask questions at the interview (I hate this bit because it really is all on the website these days, maybe pick a couple of recommendations from the last Ofsted and ask how they are implementing improvements).

If you don't like it you can always say no if offered the job.

I would definitely call for a relaxed discussion as it says. It will make sure they know who you are and give you a bit more of a feel for the place. Plus it's the school who suggested it. I would, however, consider it as part of the interview process and try to make a good impression.

How funny that IVe just posted on the thread about people who don't know that you don't call the holiday at the end of any term half term and this is one is at the top of the thread list.

When I was a school governor involved in teacher recruitmentIit would have stuck out like a sore thumb if we'd had an applicant who didn't know the difference.

If you can't think of any questions for a few minute long introductory call maybe it's not the job for you.

Look at the last ofsted. What were the biggest challenges for the school and how long ago was it.....can you ask a couple of questions around how they are meeting these targets?

Is this a primary school role? If so ask if there are any additional skills they think might benefit their team of teachers? (Do you play instruments? Do you have a degree in computer coding, history etc)
Can they tell you any more about the sort of person they feel will fit into their team.
Can you ask if they would be happy to support an NQT and what mechanism there would be in place- e.g. mentoring etc

As others have said the shortlisting will be done by taking your application form and matching it to the job spec. Those that best meet the criteria will.get an interview. But your covering letter may help them to tick of areas in the person spec which they can then either ask you about at interview to gain more info....or will be in the back of their mind when interviewing you.

A good chat with the head to establish rapport (and to make sure they are the sort of head you want to work for) goes a long way.

Good luck.

Just ring. If they aren't available they won't answer.

You can ask what you'd normally want to find out from the school visit?

@maddy68

Don't call. Just submit your application

Yeah this!

Doesn’t affect my decisions but only ring if you have actual questions that can’t be answered in the mountains of information available about our schools.

Also, if you did ring and spoke about half term now I would definitely wonder about your experience. Not angry or frustrated, it’s just incorrect.

That’s unfair flying

But then I hate the farce of school visits and so on.

OP, schools generally don’t change their adverts. They won’t have been thinking that it’s the holidays - just submit your application and good luck.

Unless you have something specific to ask, then no don’t ring for the sake of it. It’s the Easter hols and headteachers will want a rest. It won’t make any difference to your application - at my school we put similar on current adverts, but only to give people the chance to call if they want to know something, not to make them feel they have to.

Good luck if you apply. Most info you will need should be on their website also.

If you want the job, call.

Just say to him and her, just looking for a brief chat as I’m so excited to apply for this, I’ve read all your policies etc.

I’m really keen to know what you’re specifically looking for, your aims for the school, your personal experience etc and just chat to them and make a good impression .

The people who are competing against you for the job will do it. Not calling when they specifically invite you to, shows a lack of interest.

It really doesn’t bluntness

I'm a Headteacher. Definitely call! Read the website first. Then phone to chat and see if you feel like it's a place you'd like to work. I'm never too busy to talk on the phone to a parent or job applicant.

The people who are competing against you for the job will do it. Not calling when they specifically invite you to, shows a lack of interest

This.

I agree with Bluntness by the way. If you want the job then call.

Lots of great questions in this thread.

Op, have you already applied for a few jobs?

[quote watermelon9w]@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.[/quote]
Just say that then, that you have looked at everything in the public domain about the school, but are interested to hear about other things you would usually experience if a visit was allowed. Also ask as an NQT what support you would have, is it 2 years now?

I don’t think I like the ‘what support would you give me’ question.

It seems a bit demanding and as if the person concerned is going to be a bit of a pain (I don’t mean the OP is! Just that it might come across that way!)

In general I dislike the ethos of visit the school first though.

As others have said & you've disagreed with OP, you won't create a great impression if you say half term holidays, shows a real lack of understanding. Half term holidays are literally that, half way through the term. This is the end of the term and they're called Easter Holidays. Also very strange that you don't know what questions to ask.

I wouldn’t have a clue what to ask. I never do.

I always politely say thank you, I think everything has been covered during the day. Is there anything else you want to ask me?

And I have been teaching for eighteen years.

@Toomanymuslins

I don’t think I like the ‘what support would you give me’ question.

It seems a bit demanding and as if the person concerned is going to be a bit of a pain (I don’t mean the OP is! Just that it might come across that way!)

In general I dislike the ethos of visit the school first though.

It's fair for an NQT role imo.