After NQT year - reapply for contract?

[PaperFlowers4]

DH is doing his NQT year, passed probation, everything going well. He’s just been informed today that he has to re-apply for the position for September.

Is this standard practice? He was under the impression that the contract would be renewed or they would offer the position automatically. because of this he is worried that they might actually want to get rid of him.

Aside from the request to reapply for the position, there are no other reasons to believe they wish to get rid, but a friend of his who also teaches told him that she kept her position after her NQT year without having to re-apply, and this is why he is concerned.

It depends on the school, they may be looking to pick up another NQT instead, they may have a policy of throwing their nets wide to get the best candidate. Has he been acing all his observed lessons?contributing actively and positively within the school? Has he talked to his mentor about this and asked if there is anything he should be aware of?
You can’t really assume anything safely now, in the current financial climate.

He needs to check his contract-is it a one year contract? If not and it’s permanent then he shouldn’t need to reapply. However, many schools do this as it’s hard to get rid of crap teachers. If there is an issue then he needs to contact his union.

Did he apply for a one-year comtract? Perfectly possible.

Standard around my way for NQTs to be hired on a one year contract and have to reapply for their jobs at the end of the year.

It’s bloody awful practice.

If he had a year's contract, it's perfectly usual.
If the school didn't put the position out for interview they could be accused of not following procedure.

It’s terrible practice and there is no legal reason for it. ‘Procedure’ isn’t a reason here. Schools only have to externally advertise deputy and head positions. My school has appointed teacher positions using internal only adverts before when there have been several temporary contracts ending and fewer permanent jobs after that. This is perfectly legal.

He needs to check his contract - if it is a one year, fixed term then they can make him reapply (although I don't think this is at all fair and far too many schools are doing this).

If not, and the contract is permanent then he shouldn't need to reapply (and I don't think they can make him). He would be best advised to speak to his union.

FWIW I had a fixed term contract once, worked my socks off, did really well, lots of praise from SLT etc. Then was told around Easter that the job would be advertised and I could apply heard on the grapevine that a lady who previously worked there and who has about 20 years experience was looking to come back and basically they wanted her.

I saw a job advert that closed well before theirs, applied and got it so I resigned. Unfortunately for them, other lady then changed her mind about moving school and didn't apply for the job. We teach a very shortage subject and no one else applied either so that really struggled to recruit. I still can't help but feel smug

Moving was the best thing I did as I got.promoted quite quickly after and love my school. So tell him not to despair - there may well be better opportunities out there!

It is very common for NQTs to be on a one year contract- in some ways it’s kinder. In a previous job I was responsible for NQT mentoring and the head would frequently decide that some of the NQTs were not for us long term. Often there was nothing wrong with them or they were just making the sort of mistakes that are perfectly understandable but she wanted them out. At least with the one year contract she didn’t try to sabotage them actually passing the year, I have heard of that happening in other schools.

Ummm in our school most NQTs are on a 1 yr contract (in fact most new staff are) but if they want them to stay the contract is automatically changed to permanent before the year finishes and if they don't want to keep them then they are asked to reapply and go through the interview process again. I'd suspect if they really wanted your husband to stay they wouldn't need him to reapply.

Don’t bet on it circle, my school has lost loads of great NQTs that their departments were keen to keep because the school policy is to make them reapply regardless of performance. They then got better jobs elsewhere.