Job interview coming up need time off

[Happyface246]

Hi everyone I work in a school - I have a job interview coming up which requires me to take half a day off - do I phone in sick or tell them? For context im thinking of leaving as the person I’m working with isn’t being replaced and I’m concerned there is too much work to do. The heads as far as I know aren’t aware that I’m going for a new job. I haven’t told them yet as was going to see what the interview was like to see if the new place was somewhere I wanted to work. I’m afraid if they find out that I went for an interview it will create ‘bad blood’ . Thoughts please. Thank you.

Tell them. Schools are a different world. You should tell them when you apply, it's considered rude not to in schools

as above, schools aren’t the corporate world. There’s always movement.

Absolutely tell them. It's completely normal.

If you are going to another school, safer recruitment means references will be taken up prior to the interview.

Absolutely tell them, they'll find out either way.

Thank you. Do I tell them why or make up something?

You need to tell them. There is likely a policy which allows you to take time off for the interview. There is in the NHS so I imagine all public services operate similarly. There is nothing quite like lying and being found out that creates bad blood.

Tell them.
It will be fine.
I got paid leave for an interview (school support staff).

A school is a different matter. They will contact your head for references pre shortlisting as part of the safer recruitment practices. You need to tell the head you are interviewing.

At this stage don't tell them why.

Hi X would like to ask if I can please you for a references as I am applying for x job.

You have to tell them. Unfortunately this is the trouble when you work in a school that nothing is ever secret and you will need to say why you are off. The only alternative is to see if the interview can be arranged later, at the end when you finish at school.
Definitely do not call in sick, if they find out then you could face disciplinary action.

I’d echo the advice to tell them if this is a school to school move. If you want a fairly neutral way to frame it, say that with ‘Sarah’ leaving you’ve reflected that your current role is definitely going to change so you’ve considered whether you want that change or change provided from a new work place and so applied for something and have been given an interview.