Honest opinions wanted. Am I too expensive?

[catcalledmarvin]

I've applied for a few jobs for September.
I have an interview at one school next week, they contacted me to ask me to apply as I had done some supply there and they liked me.

Some adverts are clearly aimed at NQTs so I give them a wide berth.
I am UPS3.

I was discussing my job applications with a former colleague who said 'you're too expensive, you'll get to an interview, there will be a couple of NQTs and they will just employ them instead. You'd be better off waiting until October half term to apply because the schools advertising then will be desperate, you probably won't be up against NQTs and you'll stand a greater chance of getting a job'.

This has knocked my confidence a bit, I'm an outstanding teaching, well qualified and with good references.

Is my former colleague right?
Should I just sit tight where I am? even though I don't like it
Or should I just keep applying, even though writing each application takes ages?

All honest opinions welcome please.

Are there any jobs looking for someone to fulfil a leadership role? Unfortunately the advice given to me was move schools before becoming too expensive as schools can't afford you even if they want you! However there must be some that need leadership? X

Funny you should say that Bambino I was in a TLR post but that particular post in that school was going to make me ill. Eventually I left and have been doing supply.

I would like to take on responsibility again, just not the post I had before.
Trouble is that I don't want to return to my previous TLR post for now.
Ideally I'd like to be a HOY or similar pastoral role but these seem to be a closed shop and go to existing teachers in many schools.

I've had to take a drop down the pay scale twice as I was ups 3.Very annoying. In the current school I've been 'allowed' to go through threshold to Ups 1, with a patronising letter from the governors congratulating me on the advancement of my career.

I was going to say, these days they wouldn't have to offer you UPS3 would they?

They could offer you the job but say it was a main scale role and offer you M6 (or less). I thought that was how performance related pay worked?

It certainly wouldn't be the case at my school. In fact, last year of a field of about 16, we only shortlisted one NQT (at least three others applied); the rest of the shortlist had all been teaching for 5+ years. The final choice was between an NQT or a colleague on UPS3. We chose the more expensive - proven - teacher. Don't give up! Despite all the doom and gloom at the moment, schools still need good staff.

Agree with ATruth. I'm UPS2 and I thought the same for a while but I was in a long term supply role in a dept which appointed very experienced teachers over NQTs twice. Track record counts for a lot, even in the skintest of schools.

There is no pay portability any more-you may find they offer you a job. but it's paid way down on the main pay scale.

We offered to a ups 3 candidate but on MPS, what is your subject?

Unfortunately, yes. If a school has an enthusiastic NQT with good references, most will employ them over someone who is on UPS3.
Those who just want to teach, and have proven themselves with experience plus all the evidence to get to UPS3, are not usually a popular choice as they cost more. With shrinking budgets, it's not likely to be a situation that will get better.
Trouble being, you don't know which one is 'the one' where they will give you the job, unless you apply.

I don't think this is necessarily true anymore. With so few teachers, I think schools are looking to appoint the best. Certainly my school, which is as skint as any other, is appointing and would prefer experience over cheapness. That's not to say NQTs don't have their own positives, of course.

This happened to me a week ago. But I lost out to a student. I feel knocked back. I don't want any leadership responsibility so now wonder if anyone will ever employ me again.