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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Another rejection. I can't see myself ever getting a job again.

16 replies

HumphreyCobbler · 12/02/2011 20:26

I was one of 50 who applied for a maternity cover. The last mat cover I applied for had 70 applicants.

I am at the top of my pay scale but left in order to stay at home with my children. No one is going to employ me when they could have an NQT at ten grand less, are they?

There are no actual jobs advertised at all.

At least I am getting supply work, but I want to have a proper job where I can actually teach children, and progress in my career. I am a good teacher

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IlsaLund · 12/02/2011 20:49

HumphreyCobbler - I feel so sorry for you. I have a permenant post but I know that where i live they are like gold dust.

Infuriatingly our school employed an NQT (permenant contract) 2 years ago and she is appalling. Immature, lazy, entirely self centred and difficult to work with.

When she was interviewed the other candidates were not NQTs and I am fairly sure that the final decision was largely financial.

Just want to add I am not saying all NQTs are like this, but in this case I feel she got the job because she was cheaper, not because she was the best person for the job.

IlsaLund · 12/02/2011 20:50

Ahhh - permanent

TheMonster · 12/02/2011 20:50

I'm a secondary teacher and I am in the same boat. It would cost £15 grand less for an NQT. It's extremely frustrating.

dixiechick1975 · 12/02/2011 20:57

That must be soul destroying.

Can you not agree to work for a lower rate on the basis you have been out of teaching for x years and are rusty?

You cannot be paid the same pay as an up to date teacher of your grade surely?

How long does your qualification last before you have to retrain.

I think in my profession you are ok to be out up to six years then have to do a returners course.

lostinwales · 12/02/2011 21:00

Dh (primary teacher)had a permanent contract but they still made him redundant last year after the council lost £5 million in Iceland. He now has a 'permanent' contract doing three days a week and has been again threatened with redundancy. It's all a crock of shit at the moment isn't it. I'm in a similar position to you with my job albeit in a different field, there is nothing more demoralizing than loving your job, being well trained to do it and be unable to 'cos of 'funding'. My only hope is that things will start to get better in 18 months time. Meanwhile instead of working more now my children are in school I have ended up enrolling on an OU course to do something completely different, as being at home on my own with the children in school all day was killing me.

IndigoBell · 12/02/2011 21:00

Schools need a balance of NQTs and experienced teachers. There will always be schools who need expereince and not NQTs. Also schools who recognise there is good reason why you are worth 10K more than a NQT.

IndigoBell · 12/02/2011 21:01

There's a huge baby boom about to hit primary school next year. Our LEA has to find 20 extra reception classes over the next 2 years.

So jobs have to come up.

Original poster

HumphreyCobbler · 12/02/2011 22:12

Thanks everyone.

It IS frustrating. I have kept up with stuff going on and paid for courses during the time I have been away. I have volunteered at schools during this time too.

You have no choice over your rate of pay. The qualification lasts for ever. I have been away for four years.

Good news about the baby boom. I think my best bet is being known and valued in a school, so I am glad that I am getting my face around the local area.

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ninah · 12/02/2011 22:14

good luck humphrey!

Original poster

HumphreyCobbler · 12/02/2011 22:18

Thank you

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fluffles · 12/02/2011 22:21

i know how you feel, i'm not a teacher but am in education and my contract is ending in july and all other similar organisations are making redundancies or in a recruitment freeze.. no idea what i'm going to do

Changeisagoodthing · 12/02/2011 22:24

Are you applying for jobs with tlrs or assistant head. Often much less interest than main scale teacher.

RustyBear · 12/02/2011 22:33

It seems to be the complete opposite situation when it comes to head teachers though - there are 9 primary schools looking for heads in our borough; one of them is advertising for the 4th time, at least one of them got no applicants at all.

We have just advertised & had about 10 or so enquiries, but still waiting to see if any of those turn into applications.

It seems that no-one wants to be a head teacher these days, so maybe that's why there are no vacancies for senior teachers...

Changeisagoodthing · 12/02/2011 22:38

About 50 per cent don't recruit 1st time for headships.

As high as 70 per cent for catholic schools in some areas.

Sassyfrassy · 12/02/2011 23:19

It can be really hard to get back into teaching in primary right now. My tip would be to apply for jobs in school that are down on their luck so to speak. Schools in special measures will have a hard time to recruit and retain good teachers and are not allowed to take on nqts. It's very very hard work but a good way in.

Also, you might find that schools with a bad reputation arent always as bad people think.

Original poster

HumphreyCobbler · 13/02/2011 09:51

I was wondering about deputy head posts but felt that being out of work for four years would put that out of the question.

I would go for a school in special measures, or a school down on its luck without a second thought. Perhaps one will come up soon.

I wonder if they are going to carry on training teachers at the same rate, given the current situation? It seems hard to train for three years with no prospect of a job at the end of it .

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