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Original poster

Ready to give up applying for teaching jobs 😩

31 replies

RealAquaCat · 07/04/2025 16:04

Hi!
So I qualified as a primary school teacher back in 2020. I’ve had absolutely zero luck in applying for jobs over the years and ended up working in a preschool as no teaching jobs ever responded to my application.
I’ve since progressed to being the preschool room leader, but I really want this year to be the year I land my first teaching job.

To my surprise, after applying for at least 15 jobs in the last month I was offered 2 interviews. Both interviews were in 2 stages - first was a teaching observation, and if you pass that then you come back for the formal interview. Last week I had an observation and didn’t get invited to interview, and then this morning I had an observation and once again have failed to be invited to interview 😞

Do I just give up? It’s not even like I can volunteer in any schools to build up some more teaching experience as I work full time Monday to Friday. I tried so hard and thought I did really well in the observations, and to spend 5 years applying for jobs and to not even pass an observation when I’m finally being offered interviews, it’s so disheartening and so stressful. I don’t want to get into supply work either as work isn’t always a given, and I’m a single parent with a mortgage to think about.

Can anyone offer some advice, thank you ❤️

OP posts:
Fleakster · 07/04/2025 16:14

Have you had feedback? Get feedback then see if you can sign up to do a professional development course that focuses on your preferred area? Don’t give up!

Ukholidaysaregreat · 07/04/2025 16:17

Will your University offer support with job applications and interviews? Get feedback from the interviews you have had. The interview set up is quite a false one and can often lead to gob shites who can think of their feet getting employed whilst steady, slower characters get passed over who would be excellent reliable colleagues if given a chance. I hope you are not too disheartened.

Puppupandaway · 07/04/2025 16:26

At my dh’s school, the ect jobs nearly always get given to the students they have had on placement that year. So you may be just making up the numbers being selected for observation, knowing full well they probably won’t be selecting you. Is there the option to drop down your hours at the preschool so you could do a day of supply? Then you’d get your face seen and will have a foot in the door if a job comes up. If not, you just need to keep applying until you fall lucky.

Ohmyplanetaryfriend · 07/04/2025 17:52

Schools are desperate for teachers. You need to ask for feedback as obviously something is fundamentally wrong!

Sesame2011 · 07/04/2025 17:56

Ohmyplanetaryfriend · 07/04/2025 17:52

Schools are desperate for teachers. You need to ask for feedback as obviously something is fundamentally wrong!

Not necessarily.

OP, where do you live? My partner is the same, qualified a couple of years ago and had no success getting a job. She applied for a position at the school she did her final placement in. 400 applications, 15 interviews (of which my partner was 1). She was told she scored 4th overall and given great feedback. But only 1 vacancy.

Dreamhaus · 07/04/2025 17:57

Ohmyplanetaryfriend · 07/04/2025 17:52

Schools are desperate for teachers. You need to ask for feedback as obviously something is fundamentally wrong!

Nope, in many areas primary teaching posts are rare as hens teeth, it'll probably get worse as people cling to their careers even if they're miserable with the cost of living crisis. In some areas it's hard to secure a permanent job teaching in secondary too, but you're right in other places they're desperate.

OP I'd ask for feedback.

PinkStarsandBlackWalls · 07/04/2025 18:02

400 applications for 1 teaching job? I had no idea it was like this. There are so many primary teaching jobs around me.

Sesame2011 · 07/04/2025 18:06

PinkStarsandBlackWalls · 07/04/2025 18:02

400 applications for 1 teaching job? I had no idea it was like this. There are so many primary teaching jobs around me.

Yeah unfortunately where we are (Scotland - Central Belt).

My partner said that it used to be something like 75% of graduates go into teaching jobs and now in Scotland it's like 5%.

PinkStarsandBlackWalls · 07/04/2025 18:10

Sesame2011 · 07/04/2025 18:06

Yeah unfortunately where we are (Scotland - Central Belt).

My partner said that it used to be something like 75% of graduates go into teaching jobs and now in Scotland it's like 5%.

Show quote history

Wow. I guess Scotland pays better now too.

Minnie798 · 07/04/2025 18:17

A family member of mine got their first job at the school where they completed their final placement. Was this not an option? Will you need to complete the 2 years NQT ( now ECT? ) . Could you try e mailing the head of all the schools within travelling distance?

miserablecat · 07/04/2025 18:28

PinkStarsandBlackWalls · 07/04/2025 18:02

400 applications for 1 teaching job? I had no idea it was like this. There are so many primary teaching jobs around me.

A friend of DH (secondary languages teacher) said those sort of numbers when he was applying for a job. (We're in hertfordshire)
He has a job but wanted one closer to where he lived

Original poster
RealAquaCat · 07/04/2025 20:28

Ohmyplanetaryfriend · 07/04/2025 17:52

Schools are desperate for teachers. You need to ask for feedback as obviously something is fundamentally wrong!

One of my friends is a deputy head, the last time a job came up at her school there were over 100 applicants for the one job. Sone secondary school subjects are crying out for teachers, but in most areas there is an abundance of qualified primary school teachers but jobs are scarce. I’ve been applying for jobs up to 30 miles away as there simply aren’t many

OP posts:
Original poster
RealAquaCat · 07/04/2025 20:29

Minnie798 · 07/04/2025 18:17

A family member of mine got their first job at the school where they completed their final placement. Was this not an option? Will you need to complete the 2 years NQT ( now ECT? ) . Could you try e mailing the head of all the schools within travelling distance?

Edited

Unfortunately because Covid hit just before my final placement my cohort finished our PGCE from home, which made it a lot more difficult 😞

OP posts:
Emotionalsupporthamster · 07/04/2025 21:34

Are you applying for places in a desirable location/region where there are lots of teaching graduates? We had to move out of the central belt for my DH to get his first permanent teaching job. Are you able to be mobile?

QueenOfWeeds · 07/04/2025 21:38

Have you compared your current salary to a TA salary? Would it be possible to get a TA job and then build relationships within a school, aiming to do your ECT year the following year? I imagine most schools would be delighted with someone with a teaching qualification being a TA, and sometimes there is a higher turn over. It would also give you exposure to how other people teach, which may in turn help you at interview during the observation stage.

YouLookinSusBro · 07/04/2025 21:59

QueenOfWeeds · 07/04/2025 21:38

Have you compared your current salary to a TA salary? Would it be possible to get a TA job and then build relationships within a school, aiming to do your ECT year the following year? I imagine most schools would be delighted with someone with a teaching qualification being a TA, and sometimes there is a higher turn over. It would also give you exposure to how other people teach, which may in turn help you at interview during the observation stage.

I agree with this. From Sept my DC school are having mixed year group classes due to not being able to recruit enough teachers. Not an issue with class size as its a small school but there is obviously demand in some areas. I'm sure A qualified teacher working as a TA would have been snapped up in this situation.

Original poster
RealAquaCat · 08/04/2025 07:09

Emotionalsupporthamster · 07/04/2025 21:34

Are you applying for places in a desirable location/region where there are lots of teaching graduates? We had to move out of the central belt for my DH to get his first permanent teaching job. Are you able to be mobile?

i can’t move but I am willing to drive a considerable distance if needs be, luckily I have childcare before and after school if I need to do a mammoth trek before and after work! I do live close to a city but there are some rural areas not to far away, maybe it’s worth me having a look at those

OP posts:
Original poster
RealAquaCat · 08/04/2025 07:11

I’m room leaded at my nursery so a TA would be a bit of a pay cut, it’s definitely something I’m considering though as I could always top up my wage in the holidays by doing supply with a nursery staff agency

OP posts:
Coffeeheaven · 08/04/2025 07:20

Can you sign up with a supply agency and do some supply teaching? That way you get more teaching experience and you get known by the schools. There are downsides to supply but you will then get to teach and it might be a foot in the door to something permanent.

Fastingandhungry · 08/04/2025 07:52

Daughter and her fellow graduates have the same issue, no posts being advertised and now £50k debt, she even has additional qualifications and has now decided to go down the masters route and try for supply in the interim.

OneAquaGoose · 08/04/2025 07:56

I came on to say the same as @Coffeeheaven. I would do this rather than work as a TA. If you’re a TA, schools will quite often only ever see you as that.

I live in a university city that loads of students stay in after graduation so the job market is fiercely competitive (250+ applicants per job). I did supply for two years and got a few longer term contracts as a result. I got my name and face known. Don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth. If a school sees on your application that you worked at the school in that local authority for half a term, they will often pick up the phone and ask for their opinion on you. Perhaps it shouldn’t happen, but it does. Head Teachers talk to each other so if you make a good impression with one, you’re going to be favourable.

The other advantage of supply is that you gain masses of experience across the year groups and in different schools. If you’re not doing this, you are deskilling and Heads will spot this on your application form. If they see that you’re not currently teaching, they may question why and think that you’re not set on the career.

mynamechangemyrules · 08/04/2025 07:59

I’m so interested in the locations for this thread… I have worked across the ‘home counties’ and primary schools biting your hand off to work there… I’m from south wales and no jobs there at all in primary, fierce competition.

I now work in SEND schools (absolutely fab career move) and our TAs are all paid HLTA salary and many have become teachers from starting as TAs so you’d be snapped up here. Worth looking at your local SEND school?

SomethingFun · 08/04/2025 08:07

Teaching is stressful and poorly paid for what you have to do, is it worth it? If you are room lead, is there scope for you to go into nursery management? If this work isn’t that well paid - what could you do instead that has better prospects?

I used to teach and I would never recommend it to anyone unless you were getting paid to train and could easily find a job. Letting people get £50k into debt to be a teacher without roles for them is criminal.

yellowsun · 08/04/2025 08:16

It was really hard for those who didn’t get the full training experience due to Covid. It definitely put teachers at a disadvantage as they missed out on so much practice time. If you are committed to being a teacher, I do think the only way is become a supply teacher. Primary supply is in huge demand where I am- we regularly can’t get enough! This would give you the chance to get some up to date practice and can often lead to jobs. The other option would be to see if there are any HLTA roles where they cover PPA - we’ve had a teacher do this as a stepping stone and they are now a class teacher. It’s more money that a TA.

I would be happy to give you any feedback on your letter of application if you’d like any.

Yuja · 08/04/2025 08:32

Could you apply for maternity? Those posts are less popular and then the school knows you for any future openings. If no future opening then you’ve got some experience on your CV