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Original poster

Halfway through my job interview and I've walked out

41 replies

Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:01

To come home and have a bit of grub!

It's like the bleedin' apprentice! 10 candidates - 1 job, who's going to the final? We even had a task to do ffs!

It's quite funny really seeing everyone eyeing each other up, trying to determine how much exp the other has. I'm up against quite a crowd, the job is for Learning Support Assistant for SEN in Secondary. One was a language therapist who worked in schools and 2 already work in the school and know the staff really well.

We've had a briefing etc and my proper interview is at 2.30.

But I've already had doubts about the Head of Learning Support. Whilst showing us around the school we came to the sports ground where a group of kids were playing tennis. He says; "Now there is one lad there who has severe autism and his LSA is working with him to make him feel included. I'll just point him out to you, look at the lad with the red hair and long sleeved top" So much for confidentiality! How the kids be included if the Head of Learning Support is singling them out as examples? And as he was saying this we were stood beneath the open windows of a classroom full of children.

I really wanted to mention it but he is one of the interviewing panel. I made my thoughts known to the other candidates but I should probably keep my trap shut with him. Not overly impressed however. He then referred to this lad's name throughout the rest of the day.

OP posts:
Tortington · 12/06/2007 12:03

bum shit and wank. so sorry.

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:06

Huh? No mate, I don't mean actually walked out! I am free to come home before my "proper" interview whilst the others are having theirs. So I'm having my dinner.

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Pixiefish · 12/06/2007 12:08

In defence of the LSA she is treating you all as professionals who wouldn't repeat anything she said. She shouldn't really have done it and especially not under the open window but she probably just slipped up.

Good luck for your interview

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:10

True, but should children be pointed out in that manner? Why not just say "amongst the children playing tennis there is one boy with autism who is being supported by his LSA to be fully included in the subject."

I was shocked that the Head of the Dept could single out a child for everyone to stare at. Surely that defeats the object of inclusion?

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Cappuccino · 12/06/2007 12:13

was she actually singling out the child to stare at or was she showing you the work that they were doing with special needs children?

I certainly wouldn't mind an interviewee at my dd's school being told 'there is Cappuccini No 1, as you can see her SSA is working with her on her fine motor skills in this lesson'

it just shows the breadth of the work the school does, doesn't it?

I can't understand what the problem is unless she was being snide or giggling while saying it

Tortington · 12/06/2007 12:16

oh in that case - good luck hoorah

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:17

The lad was just playing tennis, he wasn't used as an example of anything really, the Head of the Dept was just saying "Look, there is a child with autism".

Anyway, I'll try to forget about it and concentrate on showing him as much cleavage as is possible during the interview .

(Oh and the lady interviewees are all wearing teacherish clothes - long hippy type skirts, sandals and beady necklaces. That just amused me a bit!)

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Cappuccino · 12/06/2007 12:19

'And as he was saying this we were stood beneath the open windows of a classroom full of children. '

it's far better imo to be honest with other children than to try and pretend they won't notice that someone is different - they're not stupid

whispering would have been worse

why is autism something to keep such a secret?

lulumama · 12/06/2007 12:21

have a nice lunch and hope it goes well for you x

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:21

It's not. But singling the lad out to tell us he had that is making an issue out of it. No child likes to be singled out.

Inclusion means that they are, as far as possible, treated like the other kids. I wouldn't expect my dd to be singled out at school for being the quiet one. That just reaffirms her status as "shy".

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Pixiefish · 12/06/2007 12:23

In honesty- at school you assume- righly or wrongly- that people who are there are there for the common cause. You might easily forget that no one had actually been appointed yet and it was probably just a slip of the tongue.

Get flashing that cleavage and all the best

Pixiefish · 12/06/2007 12:24

Also the head of LSA was probably proud of the lad and wanted to show the good work that the school do with SEN pupils and as you were there for a similar position I think it was a valid point for her to make

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:24

Probably right.

Well I'll wear my short skirt, take off my knicks, undo a few shirt buttons and we're away!

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Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:25

She is a he by the way.

Just in case you think I'm a lezzer.

The Head of Dept is a he.

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chatee · 12/06/2007 12:26

Good luck Rhuby-hope you get the job, it is a really good school although not very family friendly about having time off for sports day/celebration assemblies etc...

ps: I was under the impression that there is not one job but more than that hope that gives you more inspiration

PandaG · 12/06/2007 12:27

All the best fo rthis afternoon Rhubarb

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:28

Huh? Have you read the advert then?

I dunno, me and others assume we are all vying for one post. As we were leaving to get lunch we were wishing each other good luck and one girl said "yeah but I don't really mean it because I want the job!"

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chatee · 12/06/2007 12:29

saw the advert but also have contacts at the school, one in the sn dept

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:30

Really

Who? Who? Have you put in a good word for me? Have you? Ring 'em up and tell 'em to ditch the others, they're crap, and to have me instead!

MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

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Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:31

They did say they covered for each other quite a lot?

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chatee · 12/06/2007 12:33

i'm sure you will be in with a good chance- unfortunately it won't be anyone interviewing you that i know.....
iirc she said there were between 4-6 posts depending on how stingy the lea are with statements-knowing our lea -very stingy!!

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 12:38

Oooh thanks for that!

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chatee · 12/06/2007 12:39

am just going out for a speech therapy assessment with ds, will have my fingers crossed for you....let us know how you get on...
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fimbo · 12/06/2007 12:56

Good luck Rhuby. Are you still working at the moment for that woman you hate?

Original poster
Rhubarb · 12/06/2007 13:03

Yes and she is still being SUPERCOW.

Cancelled an event that I organised at the weekend because she didn't think I had enough things for the Tombola. When a large part of the event was actually trying to publicise what the charity does and the services we offer to a place that we don't manage to get to very often. I saw it as a good opportunity to reaffirm our status in that community. But she pulled the plug on it on my day off.

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