School won’t give references!

[ps1991]

I have been offered a new job (maths teacher is SEN school). I put my current HOD and Head as references but my current school will only give one reference. This is my first school and I did my teacher training at the school so I can’t put my training mentor as the current school will only allow one reference! It’s years since I left uni so don’t want to put a tutor down. Can I put a former colleague as a reference? She wasn’t in a more senior position to me so I know it isn’t ideal, but I don’t know who else to go for.

Why won't the current school give more than one reference? Seems a bit odd of them!

I would contact new school, explain the situation and see if they are ok with you putting your former colleague.

My school does this, it’s so that the head can control the reference.

Yes, contact the new school and explain the situation.

I have used a former colleague as a reference. She was just another teacher in my dept so not senior to me but knew me as a professional.

I don’t know why the school have done it, they did it to my friend who left the school too. They’re a bit funny when people leave

When I had an interview last year I put down the current head (as standard safeguarding procedure) and the previous head who had left the school two years prior to be a head elsewhere. The school I was applying to contacted me asking for a third reference as they didn’t want two from the same school. I thought that was overkill, but can understand their reasoning. Our head doesn’t allow us to write references for each other whilst we still work together any references for current colleagues can only come from the head. Two referees from one school is bad practice, as they could easily be dishonest/misleading if there is not a positive and safe culture within the school.

I would ask an ex-colleague who has now left and gone to another school. I’ve written lots of references for ex-colleagues in this way. Or is there anyone you’ve met professionally through school/exam board moderation for example who has known you for at least two years and would be able to do this for you?

Your title is slightly misleading, as they are not refusing to write you a reference as an organisation, they’re refusing to write you two from the same place.

Any volunteer roles

Would the place you trained at give you a reference?