Help with job application please.

[mayathebee]

Hi,

I am just finishing my PGCE and I am about to apply for my first job but I'm a bit confused by the application form and would love some advice. There is a large space on the form for a supporting statement with a word limit. I have written a supporting statement and I showed it to our career advisor at uni (an ex-headteacher) who said that I should submit that as my application letter and just write 'see application letter which contains all supporting information' on the form. He said that was the standard way to do an application so you don't repeat information and shortlisting is really done on the letter.

I mentioned this to a teacher at my placement school who disagreed and said that I shouldn't leave parts of the form blank and that I needed a supporting statement and letter but agreed I shouldn't repeat info (but couldn't tell me what goes in the letter and what goes on the form).

I'm confused now. Why have the box on the form if you aren't expected to complete it. It is a Roman Catholic school and the application form has the Catholic education service header rather than the school's header if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any help - I'd love to get this job so I don't want to mess up the application.

Fill in the form! Letter completely unnecessary. Career advisor is wrong.

Good luck

I agree-fill in the form in the further they've asked you to.

Good luck!

I would have form and letter! When I am recruiting I definitely read both carefully. Maybe use form to give details of what you have done during pgce, whilst letter would be more focused upon meeting job spec. I would also recommend somewhere talking about your ideas of pedagogy and something about managing a life/work balance...good luck!!

That can all go in the personal statement though. There is no need at all to include a letter if they have not asked for one. They want the form to include everything i would say.

I agree, complete the form. Use the person specification as a guide. Aim to answer every point with examples.

I got a job at a Catholic school recently (though as a TA, not a teacher) so if you would like an example of a supporting statement please do PM me. I'm happy to share!

Have applied for and been shortlisted for three teaching jobs this year.

You complete the supporting statement, responding specifically to the person specification to indicate how you meet the criteria. The selection process is carried out against that criteria. Each point you answer directly gets you a mark. More marks greater probability of being called to interview.

Letter merely a covering letter; just saying submitting application, where seen and 'look forward to the opportunity of discussing application further.'

Best wishes

Thanks all, I got caught up planning lessons and forgot to check the thread again but I appreciate all the advice. I've had a few people look at my statement/letter so I think it's okay. It's just deciding where to put it. Most of you seem to agree with putting it in the form and just writing a short covering letter. I would do an application letter too samlovesdilys but i genuinely can't see what i can add that isnt in my statement already. I also messaged a teacher friend when I wrote this post and she said put it in the letter rather than the form so it seems different people have different approaches. I'm hoping it won't be the difference between getting an interview or not!

In that case, speak directly to the school and confirm with them how they want you to complete the application.

If you are worthy of an interview, it won't matter which way you do it.

Thanks again! I'm probably overthinking it because there have been so few jobs in my area and this would be ideal. To be honest, the fact I'm not Catholic (or christian) is likely to be the biggest issue, not my application form.

This is interesting. I've always done a long, detailed covering letter and simply written 'see letter' in the supporting statement bit. This is what almost everyone has done when I've been involved in shortlisting too.

You don't need to be catholic

You just have to read prayers and say grace before lunch and attend Mass (assembly) plenty of bible stories as well

But agree the form should be meeting the specific job role

The covering letter should be more personal - I am enthusiastic, willing to learn we stratages - contribute to additional clubs - flexible working hours etc

I would say fill in the form. It is much easier to compare people if all their information is in the same format. I would be put off my someone who kept writing see letter, presumably you can copy paste information.

I have filled in the form with a shorter statement split into personal, qualification and experience/skills- I have matched this to the job spec. Then i have a 1.5 page letter of application. I hope that covers everything.

One last question. What do I put for faith/denomination. I was brought up Methodist but I would say I am agnostic. Do I put agnostic or non religious or do I put Methodist as that's how i was raised so those are the religious traditions I am familiar with?

It's so confusing isn't it and one of those things you can get badly wrong through no fault of your own just due to the interviewer's preference. I am applying on the Catholic application form and the head told me to write a letter and write see cover letter in the supporting statement box. We'll see if that makes it to interview.

As for the religion I would put Methodist rather than nothing.

Religion box is just the councils way of making sure there is an even spread of employees - same as disabilities and ethnicity etc

It has no bearing on the job application

Astro if it is for a job in a catholic school it probably is relevant.

I'd put Methodist (all the lapsed Catholics will tick catholic ). I work in a Catholic school and when recruiting the Head considers someone being a practicing Catholic to be a good thing and it might tip the balance for someone of everything else was very close (especially if they wanted to be a Eucharistic minister or run a prayer group). Apart from in the RE department it doesn't play a big role in recruitment decisions though. Be prepared to be asked at interview how you would support the Catholic ethos of the school. You will almost certainly be expected to facilitate prayer with your form group each morning and in some schools at the start of every lesson, you'll be expected to attend mass every so often with your classes
and support charitable activities and Lent. I'm not Catholic either and it's fine. Good luck!

It's not relevant - I work in a catholic school and they can not turn down on religious reasons - most of the staff aren't religious - some are muslims - a few christians - a fair mix