To not understand the teacher shortage when I, a teacher, can’t get a job

[JimRoyle]

I’ve been teaching (primary) for almost 10 years.

Temp contract this year due to relocating. Applied for countless permanent jobs, had lots of people look over my statement. 2 interviews and 2 rejections but so many I haven’t even heard back from.

Now jobs are all gone and a decade into my career I haven’t got a job.

I’m unemployable because I’m nearing the top of the pay scale.

I don’t understand what the point of a pay scale is unless schools have the money to pay it.

I’m heartbroken and feel totally lost. I can’t believe children will be taught by inexperienced/unqualified teachers because schools can’t afford to employ teachers who have been teaching for more than 6 years.

Please let’s make a change on Thursday 😔🙏

Any private school vacancies?

Rolls are dropping in primary at moment - shortage is mainly in secondary in certain subjects

It was so much better when you could take your pay scale wherever you went. As you say - your pay scale is the problem. I feel for you. Perhaps do supply with the hope of being offered a permanent position when they see what you are like.

Can you upskill to teach KS3/4 ideally maths or science?

It's hard to get jobs from supply as the agencies then try to charge the school a finders fee which deters them.

Does your CV mention required pay? And if so, does it need to?

Everything is money. Doctors are replaced with PAs because they are cheaper. Nurses replaced with HCAs because they are cheaper. Medical sevretaries replaced by temps, police replaced by pco's, the list is endless

I’m unemployable because I’m nearing the top of the pay scale.
This is the answer. Schools are bullying out teachers at the top of the pay scale and employing younger, cheaper teachers.

The pay scale is probably a factor but isn’t it secondary schools that have the shortages?

It’s mostly secondary schools that have the massive shortage. Especially certain subjects like maths.

I’m in a similar position and the application forms I have filled in have all asked for current pay band. It’s ridiculous.

Teaching is one of the few professions that experience makes you unemployable, because you become too expensive. An NQT is a far cheaper option for schools.

I’m having exactly the same issue and it’s horrible. 15 years of teaching with 10 of those in middle leadership and it’s got me nowhere this season.

The teacher recruitment issues seem to be very location specific and where I am there’s been very little even advertised. Budgets are definitely a factor too because SLT posts are just being absorbed which then stops the middle leaders moving into those roles and the trickle down just isn’t there for vacancies.

I don’t want to leave teaching, but at this stage I am going to have to look very seriously at what I can find in other sectors because I need a job!

You have my sympathies. It’s horrible.

It’s atrocious.
I was working in a double RI school which was advised not to take on NQTs or teachers lacking in experience - that year they employed 3 NQT/inexperienced teachers and managed out 3 fantastic long standing teachers because they were on the UPS.
Dreadful decision (although lovely new members of staff!).
My sons school are reducing the amount of forms they have which will push the form group sizes up. No money so now one of the tutors is leaving they won’t be replaced.
Make a difference tomorrow please people.

Which typically pay less and increasingly opting out of tps

Agree with this, I work in a school and we try everything before we use an agency as the fees are so high.

Ah right. I was thinking if it's on a CV it's putting people off before they even meet. I'm not a teacher so I don't understand how it all works, but to get the job you want is it something you can suggest you'd be OK to take a little less than your current banding? I don't know, maybe thats daft. And it shouldn't be that way. But I'd be wanting stability.

My friend had a very similar issue, she is a super experienced teacher, had been teaching in international schools for a number of years but also had significant teaching experience in UK, has taught across the year groups, art specialist, amazing references etc. When they came back to the UK she was going from interview to interview and there were so many candidates for one role and 90% of them were NQTs who invariably got the job - it took her ages to secure a temp role - they've gone back to teaching abroad as so disillusioned with teaching in UK.

Well due to the lack.of funds experience is not valued. Schools would rather employ a slightly cheaper ECT instead.

Schools don't have to honour former pay. When you interview they may offer you a lower band.

This is another reason teachers are leaving the profession.

Teachers don't apply with a CV it's always a bespoke detailed form for every role you apply for and it's expected the personal statement is tailored to the role you are applying for.

Teaching is such a weird profession with their rigid adherence to pay scales. In virtually no other industry is there zero flexibility whatsoever over salary. In any other profession a role would be advertised, possibly with a salary range, and it would be up to the parties to negotiate a salary. You could choose to take a job at a a lower than desired salary because you need a job. A school could choose to pay more to attract a particularly desirable teacher. It’s so bizarre to anyone in the private sector.

It’s the faffiest application process ever. Long winded forms for each school, alongside covering letters, and references taken up before interview as part of the safer recruitment process. DH works in HR/recruitment for big city firms and was mind boggled by it.

They’re not doing it on purpose though. It’s because their budgets are so incredibly tight.

Can you move to rural Scotland? Seriously, you’d be snapped up here.

Same in nursing! A couple of my friends are graduating this year however cannot get a job due to none being vacant. Yet the nhs is extremely under staffed!