Appropriate person to ask for a reference on an application form?

[scribblehead]

Hello. I'm applying for a teaching assistant post. I've been a SAHM since 2008, before this I was a teacher. The management team where I last taught has entirely changed and the new head/ deputy head etc have never worked with me. There are still teachers at the school who know me and there is a nursery nurse who I worked very closely with. Is it appropriate to ask this nursery nurse for a professional reference through the school or is the done thing to ask the head teacher and let them ask other staff members for input? Any other advice appreciated too!

Watching with interest as I'm a year behind you - was a teacher, left in 2009, now SAHM, hoping to become a TA but entire SMT has changed at school though some teachers are the same.

Hi Galena. It's quite scary having been out of the system for so long although exciting to think about getting back into school. I'm definitely not ready to teach fulltime again though, it took over my life before I had kids! Hopefully someone knowledgable will pop up soon to advise on referees.

I'd go for the nursery nurse who actually knew you personally.

I would ask someone who knows you - it doesn't have to be a head teacher.

Thanks for the advice.

I think the HT needs to be kept informed, if you are approaching particular members of staff, or ask the HT to do so on your behalf. What about admin staff or Governors; did any of them know you?

I guess there are the two kinds of referee - professional, who knew your working practices, and personal, who can vouch for your honesty, reliability etc.

I was a TA/voluntary helper for around twenty five years, so GOOD LUCK!

Thanks Ferguson. I hadn't thought of checking who the governors are. The admin team haven't changed but would probably just remember me as that mad woman who was always cursing the photocopier! I think I 'll send an e-mail to the school secretary asking if it's ok to put the schools details down for a reference and reminding them of when I worked there and who might remember me.

... weird. My name has changed back to an old one! I must have clicked something with my big sausage fingers. I'm typing on my phone and it's very fiddly! I keep popping into different screens by accident.