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Original poster

Surely they'll know I've lied?

25 replies

SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 17:04

Help!! I work in a school as a TA. I have a job interview on Tuesday mid-morning at a different school. They obviously know that I work during that time, are they expecting me to call in sick to attend? Is this normal? How can I claim to be an honest person if I've lied to be there? What if they ask me where I've told my school I am?! I'm not comfortable with it but I don't know what else to do. What does everyone else who works in a school do? Any suggestions welcome :/

OP posts:
BumWad · 26/01/2016 17:05

Can you take A/L? I wouldn't be off sick. Or just be honest and tell them you have an interview.

Jinglebells99 · 26/01/2016 17:07

I think you are entitled to ask for time off to go to a job interview? So I would tell your current employer where you will be then you won't need to lie?

Original poster
SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 17:08

Yeah, that would be ideal, but I don't get any annual leave. I work term-time, so there's no allowance for that at all.

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museumum · 26/01/2016 17:08

I'm not a TA but in this situation i would ask to do the interview in my lunchbreak or after the end of the teaching day or even before it.

I would say that I couldn't let my current school down. I would hope that would stand in my favour.

icklekid · 26/01/2016 17:09

Yes you just have to tell them it's an interview - have you not put someone from school as a reference?

Original poster
SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 17:11

If I say I'm I would like time off to attend an interview and I don't get the job, I'll have pissed off my colleagues and they'll treat me as though I've already left, or as though I'm definitely leaving, or worse still, I'll lose the job I've got!

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Original poster
SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 17:12

Interview has to be at that time or during school day as includes some classroom time with the children.

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Original poster
SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 17:19

I have got someone from school as a reference but ticked the box "please do not contact before interview"

I was offered an interview at a different Sch before Xmas and I explained that I wouldn't be able to attend during school time because... And the response was a very blunt "well, that's that then." Fortunately it wasn't my first choice application, but still :/ What is the expectation here?!

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TeaStory · 26/01/2016 17:25

The expectation is that you tell your current school that you have an interview. This is the norm for teaching staff as well.

icklekid · 26/01/2016 17:28

Don't tell your colleagues then just the head or your line manager. You won't lose your job. If need be tell your colleagues you have a doctors appointment or something. Unfortunately it is very normal for interviews to only be avaliable during the day

ImperialBlether · 26/01/2016 17:32

In most schools the head teacher, at least, has moved around several schools to get to that position, so will know that applying for a job elsewhere isn't a reflection on the school you're in. It's quite normal to ask for time off for an interview; don't worry about it. Good luck!

GraciesMansion · 26/01/2016 17:33

It's perfectly normal for interviews for school jobs to be during the day, you just have to tell your head teacher like everyone else does.

OurBlanche · 26/01/2016 17:34

Just tell your line manager. I used to tell the rest of the dept that the person off for an interview had rung in sick - but HR recorded it accurately.

It is normal and any good manager will support you in progressing your career - or just getting a better life fit.

Good luck.

h0rsewithn0name · 26/01/2016 17:35

Please don't lie. I worked in a school that dismissed a TA for doing this. Because of safer recruitment the interviewing school will be in contact with your Headteacher, whether you like it or not.

You may as well get it over with. If they ask why you are looking, tell them that the new school is offering great CPD opportunities. If you don't get the job then your headteacher will start to think of you as career minded and think of progression opportunities for you.

Littlef00t · 26/01/2016 17:37

I think compared to other sectors, it's normal to inform your manager that you're looking so they accommodate interviews. Yes it means it could cause friction, but you don't have much choice.

ItchyArmpits · 26/01/2016 17:40

Just tell your school you're going for an interview. Everyone else does.

Think about it. You lie, you go to the interview. You get the job! Hooray! They take up your references. The school you work at promptly realise you lied (interviews are always in school hours because they want to see how you interact with kids) and they mention that in the reference. New job lost.

rollonthesummer · 26/01/2016 17:43

You have to tell your current school! They will have heard of people going to interviews before you know...

ItchyArmpits · 26/01/2016 17:56

Moreover, chances are good that quite a few people in the school you are going to have acquaintances/friends in the school you currently work in. Don't leave a mess behind you.

TheNormalOne · 26/01/2016 21:23

I'm a school business manager. Just speak to the HT and tell them when and where the interview is. There's nothing to worry about - people move on, it's a fact of life.

When people go for interviews at my school, the HT will tell me (and probably the Deputy) but it doesn't go any further than that.

Although you've ticked the 'Do not contact referee' box, I'm afraid school's make up their own rules and the HT of the new school could easily pick up the phone for an off the record conversation. I'm not saying this is right but it certainly goes on.

Original poster
SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 21:46

Wow, TheNormalOne, I guess I must be a bit naive - I shouldn't be surprised by that. I wouldn't be too upset so much if my HT found out that I had applied somewhere, but asking to go to an interview shows real intention. If I don't get it, hmm. Awkward :(

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Original poster
SuperAwes0me · 26/01/2016 21:54

I'd really like to go and explore the opportunity, without having to share that with anyone. I really don't want to lie though, it feels wrong to me. I hate calling in sick when I genuinely absolutely have to, I don't like letting people down. Aargh, just playing the convo in my head asking HT if I can leave people in the lurch to see if this other school is better for me... However diplomatic it is both sides in the moment (best case), I can't see that not having ripples for me :/

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TheFallenMadonna · 26/01/2016 22:00

You have to tell your Head. Teachers have their references taken up before interview even. Entirely standard in education.

GraciesMansion · 27/01/2016 12:35

You're over thinking it. The head teacher won't give it a second thought, it happens all the time. People have intentions to move on, it doesn't mean anything other than they're looking for a 'better fit'. I suspect the head teachers will talk on the phone anyway, even if you asked for formal references not to be taken up yet.

dotdotdotmustdash · 27/01/2016 23:29

I had a TA interview a few weeks ago at 9.15am (my boss did know as we had budget cuts and my hours were being reduced). By 2pm they had called her to ask about me and by 3pm they left me a message and offered me the job. You'll find that senior teachers will pick up the phone and ask questions very quickly. People move jobs for all sorts of reasons, they'll understand.

flowery · 28/01/2016 12:50

As others have said, it's different in education. Your HT will be perfectly used to staff going off and having interviews elsewhere, and sometimes they get the job and sometimes they don't. It's normal.

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