Moving from supply to fixed term/ permanent.

[Alwaysneedgin]

I'm an NQT and have been working on supply in a school for several months. The post is going to be made permanent but hasn't been advertised as yet.

The head has made it clear that they want me to stay, but the job is going to be advertised externally.

Meanwhile, a job has come up at another school -where I've taught previously. I've told my head that I'm applying for it. HT is supportive but isn't happy and has told me they would be disappointed if I were to get the other role.

What I don't understand is, if the head is keen to appoint me, why would the role be advertised externally? Also, how much of the choice of new staff comes down to the head?

I'm also aware that there's every chance I might not be successful in either job, I just really don't want to go back to day to day supply!

Headteachers can usually get round the protocols if they want to. Our LA says all posts must be advertised, and we joke about a post-it in the corner of the staffroom. Oh look, a vacancy on our website. Oh it's gone. We've appointed HoY10's nephew.

That said, most posts are advertised with the idea of getting the best person for the job. the latest fast-track appointment was for a Physics teacher and we struggle to get those.

I would apply for everything going and take the best offer - it may force the Head's hand, and if it doesn't, there's every chance you wouldn't have been appointed anyway.

What I don't understand is, if the head is keen to appoint me, why would the role be advertised externally?

Because it’s the rules...

I believe the job has to be advertised externally. That doesn't necessarily mean they have to interview external candidates

Most jobs have to be advertised externally, but there is a difference between the advert spending an afternoon on the school website and three weeks in the TES. Where is the job you are currently in going to be posted?

I don't know, we'll have to see. My plan ATM is go for anything that I really want to apply for but not too look further afield until my current role has been advertised/ appointed for.

I thought it would be, but wasn't sure

Every school I've worked in has taken fixed term to permanent without interview and have also kept on supply and given a contract if we've liked them.
There's a way to do it if they want to.

What i'd take from the situation you're in is they would be happy to employ you but want to just make sure that they've scouted out enough good candidates to check if there's anyone stronger.

*What I don't understand is, if the head is keen to appoint me, why would the role be advertised externally?

Because it’s the rules...*

No it's NOT!! I come from industry, where jobs are rarely advertised - the vast majority go to internal people being promoted, and then through work colleagues who know other work colleagues in other firms. My husband's company (engineering) never advertises. The only thing it does sometimes do, is milk round interviews for new graduates.

There is this weird urban myth in teaching where a lot of people seem to think that a post has to be advertised, even though I've worked in schools where people have been promoted with no interviews.
This urban myth suits head teachers because they can use it as an excuse to avoid promoting people or taking on people they don't like, whilst at the same time pretending they do want the internal person, as is happening in this case - it's a very cowardly management tactic, but useful for the HT, because it keeps the OP hanging on, who may possibly not apply for other jobs in the hope of getting the internal one, even though the HT obviously wants to widen the field.

The OP may get the job, but there's every chance that the HT prefers an external candidate. Apply for other jobs OP - don't let the HT control you.

Please, all teachers out there - jobs don't have to be advertised!! In the "olden days" some LAs may have stated that all schools have to advertise posts, but that will have been an LA rule, no a law.

I can't give any more detail without outing myself unfortunately but I do believe that they would like to keep me on.

However, I can't wait around as there's no guarantee I will get the role. It is being advertised externally and you never know what will happen. I've started applying for other things and what will be, will be.

Oooh forgot to add, I don't think I'd be classed as internal as I'm a long term supply through an agency.