Would it be silly?

[Shhhnow]

I’ve been a teacher for 14 years and have been working in a school for a few years now that has no prospects for me to progress. In my old job, I used to lead our EYFS unit and I loved it! I moved because of family commitments and have been teaching in year one for around 4 years in the school I’m working at currently. I feel very stuck. Nobody wants to pay UPS3 for a teacher. The only way I can move on is if I climb up but with time ticking by, the experience that I had previously seems to be becoming less relevant. I’ve seen a job opportunity for an assistant head at a school nearby and wonder whether I’d look stupid applying? It’s a new school and so the intake is only a couple of years in from reception which means that I could learn and grow with the school.

I don't think you'd look stupid. You've got a case that you stepped back for a few years, and am now ready to step back up again with your years of experience being an asset to a school.

It might be tricky coming up against someone who is currently a phase leader as they have more up to date leadership experience, but you don't know what they're after.

Try focus on what you're package is and all the great things you offer.

Give it a go. You'll be fab

Thank you both xx It’s scary when you e been away from it for a while. I know that I can do it and I know that I’d do everything I could to do the job properly, it’s just selling myself! X

Did you apply op? I wanted to say that I don't think you'd look stupid at all - you've had leadership experience during your career and it sounds like a great opportunity. Don't doubt yourself, an application won't hurt!

Go for it OP. I took a step down a few years ago and it didn't prevent me from moving back up when an opportunity that felt right came along. Will keep everything crossed for you!

@StayingHere I’ve applied! I phoned today too to organise a tour and the secretary told me how lots of people have shown an interest in the role and so I can’t imagine I’ll be successful but it’s worth a try!

@Shhhnow great, you've got to be in it to win it! I'm sure you've as good a chance as any.

I went to have a look around the school today. Just me and the head for an hour. He’d just come off a zoom call to ten other applicants- there was a choice between a zoom tour or a face to face. It was amazing. Everything he wanted, I could offer. He wants someone who can help develop the curriculum- that’s my job right now. He wants someone who will mentor his NQT- I’m the teacher training student mentor. He wants someone who is experienced in KS1 and EYFS- I’ve lead EYFS and currently teach year 1 and have taught year 2. All his beliefs, I believe in. It was like two jigsaw pieces coming together. Here’s hoping!

Please let us know how you get on. You sound just what they are looking for.

Sounds like the stars are aligning op! Fingers crossed for you, keep us updated.

Thank you 😊

You sound like the perfect fit! Do let us know how you get on

Thank you @MrsHandles! The closing date is next Tuesday and so it’ll be the longest wait to find out if I get an interview!

Hi everyone, the closing date was today at 9am and so I’m assuming I haven’t got an interview as I imagine that they’d have spent the day shortlisting. The interviews are meant to be on Thursday and Friday this week. I’m gutted but I suppose what’s meant to be is meant to be x

This might be an obvious suggestion, but have you checked all email folders? Junk etc? Seems silly that they haven’t shortlisted you if you met all the criteria

@MrsHandles I keep refreshing my inbox but there’s nothing 😞

And my junk!

Such a shame. Don’t be too down, something will come up

@MrsHandles thank you x