School reference

Honest1980 · 2025-05-18T12:02:14+00:00

Hi. I have accepted a job in a school, admin role. Does anybody know what questions are asked as part of the reference request ie, is it just standard job description, dates of employment, sickness record etc? Thanks.

DongDingBell · 18/05/2025 15:11

School references are generally a law unto themselves and unique to the environment they are in.
However, I got a job in a school on what was probably a written paragraph (I've not seen this reference, but it was from a volunteer position) and a company reference that will literally be dates and titles, so st least some schools understand not all references will meet their expectations.

Congrats on the job offer.

Original poster

Honest1980 · 18/05/2025 16:50

DongDingBell · 18/05/2025 15:11

School references are generally a law unto themselves and unique to the environment they are in.
However, I got a job in a school on what was probably a written paragraph (I've not seen this reference, but it was from a volunteer position) and a company reference that will literally be dates and titles, so st least some schools understand not all references will meet their expectations.

Congrats on the job offer.

Thanks so much. I've only been in my current role just over 2 months. A week into it it was announced that they had to make 50% cost reductions (it's an NHS ICB). So if the reference asks specific questions of my line manager I'm not sure how she would answer. Especially because I've had issues about being micromanaged (by someone else) and they constantly emailing me that I've not done this or that right (very minor things such as not saved letter in correct format). I'm desperate to leave and just worried.

OP posts:

AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti · 18/05/2025 19:47

They should be pretty details due to Safer Recruiting requirements for school roles.

AXCS · 19/05/2025 20:10

I’ve recently been successful at interview for a school office post. Currently I work in the NHS but just handed my notice in for my new job.

i believe once of my referees was asked basic things like how long they’ve known me, would they hire me again, bit of a character character reference in relation to the JD, and there was a scoring element average, good, outstanding etc against criteria such as professionalism, attitude etc. but I think schools can vary a bit more than other larger organisations!

Original poster

Honest1980 · 20/05/2025 07:20

AXCS · 19/05/2025 20:10

I’ve recently been successful at interview for a school office post. Currently I work in the NHS but just handed my notice in for my new job.

i believe once of my referees was asked basic things like how long they’ve known me, would they hire me again, bit of a character character reference in relation to the JD, and there was a scoring element average, good, outstanding etc against criteria such as professionalism, attitude etc. but I think schools can vary a bit more than other larger organisations!

Edited

Thanks so much. Was your job for an admin role in school? I always thought references were pretty basic but like someone above said schools are different!

OP posts:

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 20/05/2025 08:06

It will likely be a form dates / role/attendance / timekeeping/ any safeguarding issues / teamworking / ability to undertake job description

Original poster

Honest1980 · 20/05/2025 11:23

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 20/05/2025 08:06

It will likely be a form dates / role/attendance / timekeeping/ any safeguarding issues / teamworking / ability to undertake job description

Thank you

OP posts:

AXCS · 20/05/2025 17:41

Honest1980 · 20/05/2025 07:20

Thanks so much. Was your job for an admin role in school? I always thought references were pretty basic but like someone above said schools are different!

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Yes it’s admin in a school 😊