Asking for references before interview??? Help!

[AmberLemur]

Ok so I currently work in a private nursery and have applied for a job in a primary school as a teaching assistant. On the application it mentioned asking for references before the interview. With working in a private nursery it’s a small team I’m really not comfortable with the thought of going to my boss who I genuinely really get along with telling her Ive applied for a job I need time off for the interview oh but by the way I might not even get the job so il be forced to stay! It’s awkward and embarrassing.
so anyway on the form I ticked that my second reference could be contacted prior but my currently employer could not.
fast forward to now I’ve been invited to a interview and on the email it says “Please be advised that references will be requested for all candidates upon receipt of confirmation of attendance.”
is there any way around this??? If not any tips on how to approach this with my current work? It’s not that I don’t want to work there it’s just this new job suits my living circumstances better.
also if anyone could advise me on working out actual take home pay compared to pro rata I’d appreciate it.
thanks!

The thing is with schools is you'll know if get the job on the day, some schools like to have references to help with the decision making process.

Yeah I do understand why they do it like this it’s just the thought of going back to my current job and telling them I didn’t get the job I find it embarrassing.
although I do get on with my manager she will 100% make it awkward for me espically if I then say I didn’t get the job I worry I won’t get any overtime etc moving forward.

I think it a very unfair way of recruiting especially when some heads take colleagues moving on so personally.