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Original poster

When applying for teaching jobs should I

37 replies

beetroot · 25/03/2006 15:28

Have a long history of professional theatre work.

Trained as a teacher and am thinking of going back to drama teaching for a while.

On my CV my education work is minimal but there is some stuff. workshops co teaching etc.

My theatre work has bignames on it. (madonna, maggie smith, judi dnech etc) sorry not boasting ....

Do you htink this would put people off? Head of Drama might think I was to big for my boots, Why wjoudl I want to teach type thing?

I have recently written for two jobs (both which I was made for) and have noteven got interviews.....so not sure why....

Ideas please.

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jmum6 · 25/03/2006 15:33

Did you put all the above onto your application? If not then do so - bet schools would love to snap you up

Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 15:35

so far i have put all of the theatre stuff I have done. However, no interviews yet. NOt sure what I am doing qwrong tbh.

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Feistybird · 25/03/2006 15:35

I would see it as a positive.

zippipetitspieds · 25/03/2006 15:38

Perhaps you aren't getting across that you can teach or that you really want to..I would be wondering why you are giving up a successful career to go into teaching Smile

robinpud · 25/03/2006 15:38

Make sure that you can show how the theatre work will be useful in the classroom, ie draw out the links if possible e.g. "Whilst co teaching workshops I have used a variety of teaching styles...."
There are a lot of key phrases you would expect to see in a letter of application from a teacher which would show that you are up to date with current classroom practice and ideas so make sure you mention them. If you need hints then CAT me
Perhaps those 2 schools didn't think they were good enough for you! Are you able to visit and get your face seen.. just in case your cv is threatening to a Head of Drama!

BadHair · 25/03/2006 15:42

Definitely emphasise the teaching work you have done, and any other experience with working with children (particularly your own). If the work you did with the big name people is directly relevant, then yes, include. Just use the title, year and venue of the production without using the actors' names - any Head of Drama worth their salt would be aware of who was in the production without it being stated.

FWIW I used to work for a household-name media company in London. When applying for jobs up here in sunny Shropshire it appears to be more of a hindrance than enhancement as the smaller employers think I'm too much of a high-flier. Which I'm not.

zippipetitspieds · 25/03/2006 15:44

Why are you giving up a successful career to go into teaching? Grin

Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:01

Zippi, two reasons. I have moved outof LOndon and the jobs are not as easy t ofind down here. I would be spending alot of time in LOndon if I continued. and I got bored.

I have been relating my theatre work to teaching as much as posible..ie whle working of xxx (writer) play I discoverd that ...while on xxx (writer) blah blah

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Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:03

Badhair. That is escatly what I am worried about. That the hod might think I was too much of a high flyer or that they might be threatened.

Would one go and see the school before being asked for interview???

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zippipetitspieds · 25/03/2006 16:06

errm they aren't very good reasons!

robinpud · 25/03/2006 16:08

Have you been out of teaching a long time? Would a returning to teaching course be useful? Have you done any supply work you can put on a cv? Are you up to speed on current issues- planning, assessment, inclusion, etc etc

Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:09

what else do you want zippi??

I cannot do my job outside of london and as I live 3 hours away i would have to stay inLOndon for weeks on end. I started doing some work with kids while I was down here and live dit (having hated it while I was training)

Ideally i wouldlike to do both. HOwever I think I need to get back into a school for acouple of years and see how I get on.

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Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:11

Robin, I have so far only applied for private schools as I think they might valie my past career and I dont have the up to date stuff training on the things you are talking about.

I was considering doing some supply in the state sector and also thinking of doing a refresher in the gcse aznd a level exam work.

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zippipetitspieds · 25/03/2006 16:12

I can see that teaching would be convenient but I'm not getting you would love to do it?

Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:14

actually zippi, I would love to give it a go again. I got a first for my teaching at uni but the theatre was my dream.

i think i have alot to offer as a teacher now

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BadHair · 25/03/2006 16:20

Same reasons as me!
Don't go to the school before interview - that would definitely seem too pushy and frankly, a bit odd. You could look up their website, assuming they have one, and make sure you mention it if you do get an interview.
Have you thought about seeing a careers advisor? They can advise on CVs and interview techniques - your local job centre should be able to put you in touch with one.
Alternatively, have you thought of starting your own children's theatre business? Not necessarily the full StageCoach thing but perhaps just after school clubs and individual coaching? If you were prepared to cite the people you've worked with you'd have the stage mothers lining up to bring you their offspring! Could you do something like a series of workshops to supplement the national curriculum drama activities?

robinpud · 25/03/2006 16:21

I think the problem will be that you are a bit of a gamble Beety. I teach in the state sector so really don't know much about the private sector. All I can say is that every job has a person spec and each candidate's application is considered against the spec. Those who meet the criteria are interviewed. I wonder if there is more competition for jobs in the private sector so they can take experienced teachers over someone like you who might initially need a bit more support before really being the best long term prospect. I would think that possibly you have just been unlucky with these first two and not to worry overly. But if this is really what you want then I would look to get something on the cv which shows prospectuive employers that you are back in the swing of teaching and committed to a career in education rather than wishing you could stay in theatre. Like zippi says you need to ooze the joy of teaching from every pore of your being so that it literally drips from your application onto the reader!

zippipetitspieds · 25/03/2006 16:22

Can you try getting into schools through offering workshops, helping in drama classes etc, put on a production ?

Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:27

hmmm...

I guess what I woudl love todo is gointo school and direct shows for them...

I do this at my sons school andlove it.

May be I need to do a bit more of this and some supply.

And carry on co teaching through the exams to get some experience.

what a carry on. I thought it woudl be easy...

My CV has beenlooked at by two teachers and the grammmar adn spelling gone through with a tooth comb.

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Original poster
beetroot · 25/03/2006 16:28

my enthusiasm drips off the application form..i will try Grin

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tamaman · 25/03/2006 19:04

beety, I hesitate to give you ye olde advice from years gone by because it may longer be relevant, but just in case... I went to a private school in Somerset where Drama was an optional extra. There was a big emphasis on exams- we did ESB and Lamda, mainly, with some Guildhall. We also took part in the Bath Festival every year. I wonder if they might conceivably be looking for reassurance that you were confident about getting kids through exams like that?

Blandmum · 25/03/2006 19:08

Are you going to be happy to be paid on the unqualified regester? (I'm thinking you don;t have a teaching qualification? sorry if wrong)

This would mean you being paid arounf 4-5K a year less than people doing the same work as you. That would stick in my craw!

Celia2 · 25/03/2006 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

julienetmum · 25/03/2006 23:04

We employ drama teachers.

We look for a combination of professional and teaching experience. The ability to direct and co-ordinate productions and a commitment to teaching.

We tend to go for people who are not going to leave at the first opportunity of a job so someone who had been there and done it all but now wanted to settle down would be ideal

Many of the things we look for can only be found out at interview not in a CV but I would look for your covering letter to say why you wanted to teach, what experience you have working with children, any particular strengths (directing/stage combat etc etc)and whether you have any experience in exam teaching/knowledge of LAMDA/GCSE/A Level syllabus.

It would possibly be worth you writing to any stage schools in your area and offering to go on their dep lists.

Original poster
beetroot · 26/03/2006 16:17

MB excuse me but I have a BEd Hons 2.1!!!!!

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