Are applications crazy everywhere?

[watingroom2]

My friend just told me they had 135 applications for 2 jobs...

Makes me wonder if I have any chance!

I know of two local primary schools that had 2 vacancies each and both had applications of over 100. I guess it depends on the schools and the area. These were both very popular schools.

You don't know if the applications are any good, though. We recently advertised a secondary science role and got nearly 30 applicants (which is a lot for science) BUT apparently nearly half of them were "not great". Quantity doesn't equal quality, and if you can stand out, you will find a job.

Are you applying for your first teaching role?

Too few jobs for too many trainees, and ECTs at the end of one year contracts round here so far this year. Not to mention people who just fancy a change of school.
Schools should be spoilt for choice when appointing.

No I'm old with lots of experience - but in the last job I applied for -interviewed for (was advertised as TLR and UPS .. or NQT) went to an NQT... (It really REALLY frustrated me that it was advertised for UPS .. if they didn't want one!)

I do have a job.. which means its not too bad- But I was wondering if all jobs were as popular ...

We have not seen any uplift over normal. West County location too, which is always popular and you would think more so with the apparent exodus from London.

Perhaps it went to the NQT because they were the best fit? I do a lot of interviewing, and the idea that a younger person can't be a better candidate is tiring. Yes, experience matters, but nqts today also have different teaching styles and often can get an incredible level of engagement in the classroom, even in an interview lesson. Unless you're continually and actively engaging in CPD, and keeping up with educational research, which I know many at our school just don't do,it's very possible that NQTs simply have a lot to offer.

I hear you @EllieNBeeb ... but in this particular set up it felt already decided.

I don't want to go into details as it may be outing - but it was the most unprofessional interview I had ever been to (lucky escape I feel) everyone I have told about the process was quite shocked particularly when the only piece of feedback I was given was about a question that should never have been asked!

often can get an incredible level of engagement in the classroom, even in an interview lesson. Unless you're continually and actively engaging in CPD, and keeping up with educational research

What research and CPD leads to 'incredible levels of engagement in the classroom' specifically?

I hear you waitingroom

I left my job in November to start maternity leave (I wasn’t returning to that particular job, so only get SMP - never mind) and at the risk of sounding up my own bum, I always get shortlisted for interviews - until this year!

Fortunately I got a new job back in early March. But yes some schools are dreadful at interviews.

I think ellie is trolling this board.

What about being a bit frustrated by people sitting around doing the same thing for 20 years without trying to better their skills or knowledge is trolling? My school is full of teachers who still just lecture at children and insist on speak when spoken to. Teachers actually complain that kids are asking too many questions or trying to have a dialogue. It's not NQTs who are making kids hate education.

Ellie, you’re really being very rude to and about a poster who has done you no harm at all, it’s that which made me think you were trolling. I was quite surprised when I did a search and discovered you had a posting history.

There are some brilliant NQTs, no one is disputing that. The problem is that they are often appointed not because of their brilliance but because of their cost, which is frustrating for experienced teachers because obviously getting a job is harder!

That’s been an issue since I started teaching, which was 2003, so it’s nothing new.

Take heart OP, my school were looking for experienced teachers.

@Babymeanswashing
Well said! There is no other profession where anyone would seriously suggest that someone new to the job would be a better option than someone experienced. I’m not saying that there aren’t older teachers who haven’t progressed in 20 years or that there are relative newcomers who aren’t excellent practitioners but these are the exceptions in my experience. I have friends who are headteachers who openly admit that they opt for NQTs purely for financial reasons. Not sure why @EllieNBeeb is disputing this when it’s hardly a secret!

Nope. We had three for two English jobs.

insist on speak when spoken to

as opposed to talking over the top of me and others? Hell, yeah.

Where are you piggy, in a general sense?

When I was HOD we were lucky to get seven applicants- most recent was sixty seven!

Bedfordshire which is always a recruitment blackspot. We very very rarely get more than about 2 people for a post. SLT and middle managers usually internally recruited .

In the teachers groups lots of people have had the same issue due to an influx of PGCE students due to covid as people had lost their jobs or wanted a career change.

But that wouldn't come through til next year?

If they got onto the September 2020/2021 course it would though piggy

Yes, but the covid bulge is due next year.

Still not seeing it in my neck of the woods!

@Piggywaspushed

But that wouldn't come through til next year?

People lost their jobs in early/mid 2020 so started PGCE’s in September 2020.

Not many. It takes time to apply for a PGCE and there is a deadline!

@Babymeanswashing

I hear you waitingroom

I left my job in November to start maternity leave (I wasn’t returning to that particular job, so only get SMP - never mind) and at the risk of sounding up my own bum, I always get shortlisted for interviews - until this year!

Fortunately I got a new job back in early March. But yes some schools are dreadful at interviews.

@babymeanswashing and @baws thank you ... I was wondering if i'd fallen into a parallel universe!

@EllieNBeeb made a few incorrect assumptions about me. I didn't see the deleted post - i'm probably glad not to.