Is the School office open during 6 weeks holiday ?

[Tashcj]

Hi

After what’s been an awful year for me I’ve recently been offered a job (that I really want and need) and all I’m waiting on is a reference from my last place of work which was at a school. It’s been nearly 3 weeks now and they haven’t returned the request they had it just before they broke up for half term. I only worked there for a year part time but left on good terms.

Ive emailed again and the company has chased them up but do you know if emails are opened during half term ? I’m so worried they will withdraw the job offer without this they have received my other two good references back but say they need the one from my last place of employment before I can start : (

Any advice appreciated thank you

I work in the office of a primary MAT. Our out of office message was switched on the last day of term with the message not to expect any reply until 1st September. .

I was in the office a few days this week but didn't turn the phones on so anyone calling got v/m.

I'm sorry, but in a primary school you are highly unlikely to get any response until September.

Oh sorry yes obviously not A levels at primary school 🤣

The safeguarding lead will be checking emails in most cases it’s the head or deputy head of the department.

I would message a friend who works there and see what they advise.

I work in a large high school all-year-round. I'm actually on annual leave (last week and next) but am monitoring school email address even when not in. I popped in last week to deal with an email about an ex student. It was for a stewardessing job for the summer and was marked urgent. It only needed confirmation of qualifications and attendence though. You might get lucky if someone is monitoring email.

Contact them on their Facebook page

Different for different schools. I’m a local authority maintained school.

Yes, many of my staff are in during the holidays and also checking emails from home. Child protection means we do. Case conferences don’t stop for the school holidays, though we can delegate to the deputy designated safeguarding lead.

For your role, it is likely the headteacher will write the reference. Good shout above about trying the headteacher@ using the school format. Again under Child Protection there should be an email address on the website of the Designated Safeguarding Lead - often the head teacher.

Is it an academy? Maybe try the trust? And see if they can pass it on.

Look at another school email address and guess how the heads might be?

[email protected] or something?

Update!!

I have just had an email from my new employer saying my reference had been received from the school on Friday afternoon I’m so relieved 😅

Thank you for all your kind replies I was so stressed thinking I wouldn’t get the reference back in time, I’m hoping this will be a fresh start for me xx

I was about to suggest you contacted the local authority direct but I see it is not necessary.

Good luck to you in your new job.

Great news. You can always rely on the business manager to get something done