How to I find referees?

[DumbledoresGirl]

I haven't worked full time for 11 years. I did one brief part-time job 5 years but don't think I made much of an impression.

reecently, I have applied to be a SATs marker (I used to teach) but Edexcel, the examining body, can't get any of my referees to respond (that is, my last job - they insisted on one referee being my last job) and the one I did 11 years ago.

In desperation I looked up both schools. Neither school is led by the same head as when I worked there but dh assured me they had to keep references on file. So I emailed them and asked them to at least respond to Edexcel with my basic reference on file.

Today I got back an email from the school I worked in 11 years ago. Fortunately, someone there remembers me and says she will do me a reference, but she said they have no reference on file for me. So what will I do about getting the school I worked at 5 years ago to give me a reference if they do not keep these things on file?

Oh and BTW, because I am so down today, can I please boost myself by quoting to you from the email I got? This is purely to boost my very low self-esteem so please don't criticise me for doing this.

The lady who contacted me wrote: "I certainly remember your time
here and witnessed the quality of your excellent teaching and input."

I haven't had a compliment like that to make me feel good about myself for so many years. and

DG, what about a relative or a friend who can at least respond about your 'enthusiastic nature', your 'fabulous organising skills' etc.

My friend was out of work for 10yrs and I did something like that for her (and she got the job!)

Well, I have one or two friends (not to mention relatives) who are in the teaching profession so I suppose they could give me a reference, but Edexcel specifically asked for a referee from my last employer. Dh says all employers are obliged to provide former employees with a reference, but I don't know if this is true, or even what the time limit would be on keeping references on file. My last job was 5 years ago and was only a part-time job for four months. Leave aside the fact, as I said earlier, that I don't think I impressed them very much.

I wish I had pretended that job had never taken place now so I could go to friends for references, but it was highly relevant to the post of SATs marker (I was employed to get children through their SATs) so I thought it would help my application.

Any working types out there who might know about this?