Offered job. Then not offered job?

[catcalledmarvin]

I've been doing supply, both day and longer term but I made it clear to all the agencies that I wanted a full time, permanent role.

Round our way in the middle of the year schools don't advertise on TES.

So I got a full time, permanent job to start at Easter, I was very excited about it, I was offered the job verbally, as confirmed by the Head in person and the agency.

I hadn't heard back since, as it was to go through the agency we were waiting to hear back from the school to find out how they planned to employ me i.e. via the agency to start with and then full time, thus reducing their fees or full time from the start.

Today I heard, via the agency, that their academy trust had decided that the recruitment process hadn't been followed properly so I would be employed until July and would have to reapply for September.

The school is in a remote location, I teach a shortage subject and they have struggled all year to recruit but I am experienced and expensive.

I had a proper interview, lesson observation and all the usual stuff. I don't honestly know how their process wasn't followed.

At first I was upset and now I'm angry. I've turned down fix term roles until July and been doing day to day supply instead, which is poorly paid by comparison because I couldn't commit to anything longer term as I had this job to go to.

I don't want to reapply for September, that was never the agreement and there's always the danger they will employ a much cheaper NQT instead if one even applies.

I have said they employ me from now i.e. Monday until July or not at all as I've turned down more lucrative, longer term contracts in favour of the prospect of this job.

This evening I've become paranoid that I've done something wrong, although my references are good. As someone who has interviewed other teachers in the past it had all the makings of a proper interview.

I just don't get it.
What's really going on here?

That should be fixed term roles, not fix.

It sounds like an issue between the agency and the academy trust. Call the head direct on Monday and ask what's happening. Maybe ask for advice from your union too.

The agency say it's the Head who got the recruitment process wrong. That's possible as she is very new but seems unlikely to me. I suspect, as I say, that I'm expensive and they want to try for someone cheaper for September.

Either way, I contacted some local agencies immediately I heard, there are plenty of other schools in the area who need cover in my subject until July. They are immediate starts which will pay me more than daily supply.

I have no inclination to work for a school who will mess me around like that on something so important - what other things would they do?

It is a shame for the students who have been taught by many different non-specialists throughout the year but I have to put myself and the needs of my family first.

I assume this also means that they avoid paying you over the summer?

I'd go with another school. If this school is treating you like this before you sign on, imagine what they'd be like as employers.

Yes Matilda they avoid paying me over the summer though the agency works out a day rate as an aggregate of my salary so anyone on their books gets paid more during term time to compensate for at least some of the holidays.
In my case it would work out to be just about the right amount until September if I began a contract now, hence my willingness to take a different job beginning now.

And again, I agree with you. If they do this now then what are they going to do in future? When the dust has settled and I don't feel as raw I'm sure I will realise I've had a lucky escape.

Can't you just bypass the agencies?

Schools around here never advertise hthroigh the TES as it's so expensive, but there's a local website that they all use. Just find what it is and apply for a full time job that way?