Reference from head teacher

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Hi, need some advice. I am currently on the Cache course Supporting teaching and learning in schools. (Level three). I work at the school on a voluntary placement for two mornings and one afternoon as part of my course. I am also a Midday, which I have been employed as for nearly two years. I want to start applying for TA positions in other schools. Would it be acceptable to ask the head for a reference before I start applying? Would schools usually ask for a reference before considering interviewing you? I have one further reference contact which is the manager of our local playgroup where I parent volunteered and was a committee member and treasurer, so they are the two referees I would be using.

Teaching is strange - completely normal to ask for references before interview and to tell current HT when you apply for a new job. In fact my first HT was pissed off because a colleague didn't tell him she'd applied for something, not pissed off because she'd applied elsewhere.

Yes absolutely normal. In fact probably expected.

I did that course last year and have been in employment since September. I asked my HT and my course tutor for references.

Good luck.

Thanks for messages. I will speak to head next week. The protocol is clearly very different to how things are done in industry. I feel a bit clearer as to how to proceed.