Is it too late to negotiate contract terms in the interview room?

[Glittermud]

Just that; I am applying for a fixed term position (1 yr) but am looking for a permanent contract. It's in the school I am currently supply teaching in and I have been encouraged by my HoD to apply.

But what is the etiquette for addressing the contract length? I will only accept the position if it is permanent, but feel uncomfortable about expressing that in the 11th hour. Is it something I should explicitly express in my cover letter?

The position is probably advertised as fixed term due to funding. HT and the governors will have calculated what they need/can afford this coming academic year but this might change for the next one.

There might also be issues with other staff returning from mat leave etc halfway through the year so they might not be sure there will be a position in a year's time if that makes sense.

I would talk to the HT about any possibility of the position being made permanent before you apply. It's unlikely they'll be able to turn it into a permanent job at the end of the interview as it wouldn't be the HT's decision alone and it would look bad if you turned the job down then at such a late stage.

HTs generally only advertise fixed term contracts if they have to - either to cover an absence or, as PP has said, because they can’t guarantee funding for the role beyond the fixed term.

You need to have a conversation with the HT and make it clear that you are only interested in a permanent contract. They might be able to find the funding for this (especially if they’ve just had an unexpected resignation), but don’t take it personally if they can’t, and politely withdraw your application. Absolutely do not waste everyone’s time by interviewing for a job that you have no intention of accepting under the advertised terms.

I doubt you'll be able to negotiate that in an interview. They won't have the funding to offer permanent to anyone. Hardly anything is ermanent nowadays anyway. Even when it is, permanent doesn't mean permanent. Sorry

I agree with what has been said regarding funding being the reason for fixed term.

If you are currently on supply though then why not take the job of offered even if it is fixed term? You would have guaranteed income for the year and be in one school and you never know what might happen over the next year in terms of staffing which may mean the role would become permanent? And if it doesn't, you can look at other roles for the year after?

A fixed term contract has a good chance of becoming permanent if you prove yourself. If your Hod has suggested you go for it you are in a good position, further staff movement should allow transition to permanent.

Why are you so set against fixed term? You need to see it as a means to an end.

What you can do is ask why. "You are only seeking a one year appointment. May I ask the reasons behind that?" Once they answer, you can then decide what to say next. They might volunteer that they too are hoping for it to become permanent or they might have good reasons why it cannot become permanent.

@noblegiraffe that's interesting - we have such problems with recruitment that we just don't get a decent calibre of applicant unless we advertise permanent roles.