Should I take this job or not?

[OneOfTheGrundys]

I went for a job yesterday. I got through to final two. Not offered the job I went for but they want me in a slightly different capacity, one that I'm not massively keen on.

However. I loved the school and the SLT. It's part of a trust that is expanding and other positions may open up closer to home and in the field I'm interested in. No guarantee though obviously.

The HT emphasised how impressed they were etc etc but in doing so she focused on and emphasised parts of my background and experience that I don't really feel are 'me' any more iykwim. What she liked about me isn't where I want to go in future.

I'm really torn. Wwyd? I have to let them know on Monday.

Teaching is hard. Choose a job you love rather than one you can put up with.

You are right there! I'm just unsure whether I should start off with something I don't really want then move sideways once in.
Or doing something my hearts not in could break me before I get the chance to move.

Will you enjoy doing what you will be doing straight away? If not dont do it. It doesnt have to be your dream job but next week if you are doing it day by day will that be ok?
Do you already have a job?

Ask for time and apply for other more suitable jobs in the meantime?

Was this your first interview?
You might go to another and love that school just as much.

Remember there is a recruitment crisis.

I think more time and a bit more info about hours and so on will be necessary.

It's not my first interview but I already have a job so it's not desperate. I see lots schools in my current job and this one, despite just emerging from special measures, I just really liked. The staff and kids were just really friendly and the atmosphere was great. It felt like a happy place! Not something I've noticed much in the schools I've visited recently...

I say take the job. I was in the same position last year, wanted job A but applied for job B on a whim. Got job B. Wasn't sure about taking it as I would have really preferred job A but it would get my foot in the door so I accepted job B. 9 months later I love job B and the team of people I work with. I think it probably is the team of people who make the job so good. I'm glad I went for it. And if a job A position comes up again in the same school I'd try and go for it.

Personally I think the right school is more important than the right job, so if you had that gut instinct that they were your people I would take it.

How niche is the job you really want? Will exactly the right thing definitely come up elsewhere quickly?

Difficult. I went for a job in a role I thought I could grow to enjoy and then move across. I don't love the role and I can't move across.

Personally, I think the SLT make a school so would be tempted to go for it. What's the role?

I think I would be tempted to tell them what you have told us, that you liked them and the school, but feel that you have moved on from the role they are offering, (and couldn't do it justice, or something like that), but that if a job came up in the direction you do want to go in, you would most certainly be interested.

Thank you so much for your points!
I've been in a PRU for 3 years and our staff has been 'restructured' to the bone over the last 6 months. I love my team and my own job's not at risk but I will have no development if I stay there.

The job I want to move to appears very rarely. What I've been offered is the exact hours of teaching I need in a core subject. The trust is opening a new school in September 19 too-so opportunities will open up there.

I really appreciate your views. I find this board one of the best, sanest online forums, populated with measured, experienced, kind posters. Thank you.

And yes-I've not warmed to a staff so much for a long time. Every single member of staff had a smile, a 'good luck' or a hello.

With the additional info in your later post I reckon a move might be good, especially since the hours suit, but sensible to assume that an internal move once working there might not be possible.

Yes, an internal move cannot be relied upon at all. In the current environment there's fewer and fewer of the posts I'm looking for available (specialist support role in MS).

Thank you again.

Yes I agree with Dozer.

If you're in the SW that job is coming up in my school.

SE Low
Good to know they do come up though!
Yes-I think I might be wobbling towards a move. So long in AP has made me wary of the wide world of MS I think. Having breakfast with my DM tomorrow and she's good for advice too...

Is it a resource base job you are after? They really can be the best of both worlds.

Yes-intervention and nurture group work really. I've done similar in the past and loved it but left that (dream) job when we relocated. I loved it-hard work to come by in the current climate though.

Yes you are right, nurture groups are very rarely staffed by qualified teachers these days and much of the SEMH intervention work is done by learning mentors and ELSAs, in primary anyway. Most bases these days cater for autism. However, I find my SEMH background very useful in mine!

I have seen a couple of jobs teaching Y7 in a 'primary model', which must be basically nurture group work.

Yes that's it but there's not much of it here... I think a SEMH/EBD background is good anywhere at the moment. Specific specialist services in our area are hugely oversubscribed and have been cut right back unfortunately.

Returned to the school today-offered 0.8 core teaching job with a pay rise from current role. Which I've accepted. Nervous now about getting back in to mainstream after years in AP. Yikes! Tell me how to cope please.

I'm thinking cleaner for starters.