Reference for teaching

[BoysRule]

I am applying for a teaching job and have only had one teaching job in the past 6 years due to having my two dcs.

One reference is my last teaching job which is fine. However, the other one is more tricky. The staff at the previous job have mostly left (it was 7 years ago) and the current head didn't really have anything to do with me when I worked there (she was asked to provide a reference for a previous job I applied for but said she felt she didn't know me well enough). I had a difficult relationship with the head whilst I was there and don't want to track him down to ask him for a reference.

A close colleague is still there but is PPA cover and music teacher now - is she senior enough to provide a reference? Otherwise I am on the PTA at my dcs primary school - could I ask the chairman to give me a reference? Obviously they couldn't answer questions relating to teaching - only fundraising events!

Not sure what to do - any advice greatly appreciated. I didn't get a job I applied for a few months ago and I don't think it helped that I could only get one reference.

Thanks

Sorry can't advise but watching with interest. I recently applied for a job at a lovely school (didn't get it, but the people were very approachable so I felt I could ask them).I explained that my situation was similar. The HR person said that was okay, the second could be a character reference as it is more about safeguarding to have two.

Thanks for replying - I think that sounds sensible, it must happen a lot with women returning to teaching after children. I think I will go for a character reference.

And I would think a PTA ref would be fab!

I used a Governor as my second referee last time.

Can you put two referees from your last job? Entirely standard to give Head and immediate line manager.

I used the head of my local primary (where i was on the pta, ran german club, helped with gardening club, read with year 3 - she probably gave me the reference to get rid of me!).

They basically want to know that you were not in prison, and will accept any reference from someone that can vouch for your presence.