The only profession where experience counts against you!

[Feart]

I need really need to get out of my current school but I’m not being shortlisted for any jobs despite teaching a secondary shortage subject and there being several vacancies advertised. I’m UPS3 and it’s doubly hard seeing the MPS teachers in my department getting so many interview that they are having to withdraw from some. I know there’s probably no solution but I’m just feeling really fed up.

If you want to leave try supply. If you can keep bums on seats, you won’t struggle for work. I found my current position that way - rocked up for a day’s supply and a, still there 4 years later! My experience was valued and Paid for without question.

I’ve done supply before and got work every day, the pay is just so low that I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills. It’s too risky at the moment.

What type of roles are you applying to? If it's standard teacher vacancies you may be up against it sadly.

Would you consider applying for a TLR position? We have recently advertised for a 2nd in faculty and a KS4 leader and only got 2 applications for each post. We couldn't fill the KS4 vacancy as both candidates withdrew the day before. This is for a secondary shortage subject.

Quite a lot of TLR posts still being advertised.

I hope something comes up soon!

Yes I would consider that and I was advised to by my line manager. I do have some previous experience of running a department but sadly without the title or extra money! I am just applying for standard teaching vacancies at the moment so you might be right. There aren’t any TLR positions available for my subject in this area at the moment but I think maybe you’re right and I should try that.

It’s a ridiculous problem in the sector now

I am in exactly the same situation, only I am on M6 and can't get shortlisted either. I am in an area saturated with NQTs/ECTs too. Had no problem getting interviews back when I was an NQT. I've had people look over my application and cover letter and they said it looked great. I know I am a good teacher, with successful results etc. So it must be that we're just too expensive now and schools can't afford to take on experienced teachers. Someone said that it might be better waiting for positions advertising for January start when you're less likely to be up against NQTs/ECTs. Good luck anyway. Sorry you're in this situation.

@Lucy882206
Sorry to hear that you are in the same situation. I’ve done the same with my application and cover letter and have been told it’s good as well. I know I get good results and have won awards for schools etc, it’s just so frustrating that none of that seems to matter. I will try again from September for a January start to see if that’s any better.

Sympathies. I've applied for umpteen teaching jobs over the past year or two. I'm 50, on UPS3 but haven't worked full time since 2004 and have mostly done supply, tutoring etc, so as you can imagine, I wasn't the most attractive prospect . Every school said I was great in interview and lesson, but gave the job to someone cheaper with more recent solid experience.

I'd given up hope and was planning on applying for entry-level admin jobs or shop jobs etc, then last week I got a job in my absolute dream school . I'm soooo glad I didn't get any of the previous jobs - it feel like it was meant to be! The right thing will come along, OP. It's partly just luck (in terms of who else applies).

I am looking again after my next realistic promotion was not even advertised but instead handed to a 3 year in teacher who has no experience but is cheap and an absolute yes person and friends with the dh. Obviously as UPS and with 3 times the experience I don't deserve the job and someone who hasn't even taught the keystage ever does. Plus it was relayed to me that it would be a good experience for me to support them. For no extra? Fuck the fuck off.

I know that THEY know i'm stuck at 50 and expensive. But i'm so fucked off i'm tempted to resign before 31st even without anything to go to. Or just get any job. Anything outside of teaching and just leave regardless, whenever.

Teaching is not kind to older teachers. However my wonderful colleague has recently secured a new role in a lovely school and she is UPS3, she well and truly deserves it. There is hope out there.

It's so difficult isn’t it? I did actually manage to get an interview this week but I didn’t get the job. I wasn’t given any feedback. To be honest I didn’t get a great vibe from the school and the process was badly organised so I probably had a lucky escape but it was a lot of effort for nothing. Preparing the lesson and questions took hours and my confidence is shattered as a result. I then came home to a letter from another school I’d applied to saying they weren’t able to shortlist because I was the only candidate! That’s a new one! I’ve obviously now missed the deadline to find something before September now so I have to prepare myself for at least another term in my current school with a bullying head.

Its not just the teaching profession where this happens - my DH had trouble getting IT jobs paying the same rate once he reached 50 as they could hire younger, less experienced people who were quite happy to do the same job for £20k less.