Outdated application questions and requirements

[ImSorryMsJackson]

Has anyone else noticed application form questions/requirements that are outdated? I'm working on one for an independent school that asks if I am a member of the GTC. I was a member at the start of my teaching career, but the GTC was wound up in 2012 and there is now no direct replacement. It puts me off a bit that this question is still on the form as I'm not sure if I should I say yes or no to this redundant question.

Another niggle for me is that the application requires a handwritten letter of application in addition to the application form. I'm not exactly sure what a letter of application is in this case as the application form has a section for a suitability statement. I'm wondering if these a red flags.

My head teacher openly admits she likes a handwritten letter so she can see grammar and spelling (without help from autocorrect!) and handwriting. She’s really picky about it!

It all seems a bit slack of the school, and I think it would make me wonder if what other ways have they failed to notice new changes/developments? Are they using that new-fangled group work yet I wonder?

Yes I thought this would be the reason for asking for the letter to be handwritten - which I don't mind. But what to write in the letter that isn't already stated in the application form is beyond me.

Yes that's the fear, especially with independent schools.

On the plus side, old-fashioned teaching is wonderful, I was a teacher a long time ago before lots of reinventing-the-wheel initiatives took over. It might be lovely to not have to follow all of the state sector crap so much in schools these days.

In the 'suitability statement' (or similar section) I always wrote 'Please refer to attached letter of application.' Never had any problems.

I have never understood this. Anyone with half a brain who knows that they have issues with spelling and grammar is going to write it electronically first and then copy it! Even more pointless in this day and age with AI!