How to interview without school getting wind?

[YawnyOwl]

This is for future reference... But how do people attend interviews without telling school "oh I need this day off for a job interview" which could clearly make things awkward? Is the standard to pull a sickie? I've never done that but current school would be brutal if they found out I was considering elsewhere (I'm not yet, but will in future I think...)

You can't pull a sickie. You ask for the day off.

It is hugely, hugely unprofessional to not let your school know in advance.

We'd pull a job offer if we found out you'd not engaged properly with your leadership team ahead of application: if you can't even go for a job professionally there's no hope at all for any other aspect of the job once you're in it!

Please reconsider your stance, regardless of how happy/unhappy you may be at your current place.

Not to mention that your current employer would probably consider it misconduct, and that would affect references.

They seek references before interviews anyway and for safeguarding you need a reference from your current head.

You have to tell the school. It’s totally different to other industries but very much the expected protocol in education. I believe you have the right to paid days off for interviews under the Burgundy Book.

You have to tell the school. Did no one cover this in your training?!

Your school will know when they are asked for references before interview, you can’t have secret interviews in education (at least if you’re staying in the sector)

Thank you... That sounded right, but I spoke to someone who advised me to do the opposite.. I'm not looking for a job, I just wanted to know for the future

And thank you @tbumble628 but as you haven't currently offered me a job I don't have to worry about you rejecting me for it just yet

Safer recruitment rules mean that references should be sought befor interview so you can’t really keep it from your current employers.

A few years ago, my then employer made changes to my working conditions after a school I applied to sought references and I stayed there a bit longer (until the head left).

My employment lawyer friend thinks it’s totally weird that this is how it’s done in education, but it is. I’m guessing whoever told you not to tell your employer doesn’t work in education.

I just rang my boss and told her that I absolutely loved working at her school but the interview I wanted to attend would be an amazing opportunity for me to expand my experience. She appreciated the honesty and gave me a good reference.

As others have said, they seek references before interviewing. You have to put your head so no way around it.

It's cringey, especially when you want to go to your school's "rival" and even worse if you don't then get the job. I'm pretty sure that's scuppered what little chances I had of career progression at my current school. But yes, it's the way it's done 🤷‍♀️