Rejected for a job from my child’s school

[Girlymiddleagedmum]

Bit of a curious one and I wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience. I’m a trained primary teacher and I’ve been working as a supply TA since June 2025 across a few local schools. I’ve had good feedback everywhere I’ve been, especially around SEND support. I’ve also done quite a bit of CPD on neurodiversity (autism, ADHD, inclusive practice etc.), and I volunteer at my daughter’s school for forest school too. So I’m known and have good relationships with them. On the PTA. I also work as an exam invigilator at the local high school.
There were three LSA roles advertised at my daughter’s school recently and didn’t get shortlisted for any of them. The feedback I got was very generic — nothing specific or useful. A good friend of mine, who’s an ex‑teacher and SENCO, helped me with my statement and she was genuinely shocked I didn’t even get an interview.
A few people have said it might be because I’m a parent at the school and they don’t want any more parents working there — they already have two. No idea if that’s true, but it does seem to be something people mention.
Just wondering if anyone else has found their child’s school harder to get into job‑wise than other schools. Is it just one of those things?

Just another thought, you have done so much as a volunteer at the school. All schools have a budget, so you doing so much work for them free, they get an extra person without paying them. If they give you the job, they would lose that extra person!

Well I wouldn’t be helping them out with forest school or PTA stuff anymore. And wouldn’t give a reason.

Surely the pay is as advertised. Doesn’t matter how over qualified you are

Many teachers are becoming TAs as they don’t want the pressure that comes with teaching but still want to work in schools with the kids and so take on the marginally less pressured TA role (at least the hours are better)

It is quite possible they didn’t want to lose your free hours

Whilst I agree with this, it still doesn't mean that schools will see things that way!

I feel like it was a few factors weregoing against me. I’m a parent and they don’t want to be seen as hiring too many parents, I might be overqualified as a teacher, or under experienced as a TA/LSA.
Also I took a few years out to be a stay at home mum only returning 2024 to an admin position. So they could see that as a big gap. Plus just before I had my kids I was in another admin position after leaving teaching. So they might have seen it as a red flag about whether I will stay.

Schools take the easy route when hiring and my application might have been seen as too complicated and too many issues.
But I will apply to other schools who won’t see my as parent and see how that goes.
Why is it so hard for parents to get jobs that fit around their families nowadays!

I’m not sure it’s this ad I only volunteer one afternoon a week

People have mentioned it might be a great idea to work in your own child’s school

I don’t think it’s this as I only volunteer one afternoon a week.

I think the opposite All teachers kids/know were bullied

It might be logistics. There were 2 teachers and several LSAs who had children in the school and they didn't like them to be in the same year group so the logistics were sometimes difficult. It was especially hard as they liked to keep the year 2 and year 6 LSAs the same due to the high success rate on SATs.

An LSA who had been in year 6 for 8 years suddenly couldn't be in year 6 or year 4 where her other child was. Do they move her back for one year after her eldest has left?

You clearly have a lot of experience so hopefully you will be able to find something else but it is frustrating as you potentially have a childcare issue depending on how far the other school is.

I left for a reason and won’t be going back to teaching especially now I have a family. But I still love working in schools: You need to look into why so many teachers are leaving the profession and then you’ll understand more.

If you know someone high up internally, they will tell you.
Or you will eventually find out when the new person turns up.
I have a friend this happened to and three times it had gone to someone who was known to the school- already working there.

But you know what, you will find something- keep on applying.

When our school has employed previous teachers for a TA/LSA role, it hasn’t worked out. Maybe we’ve just been unlucky because the teachers were already stressed but it seems they thought it would be an easier job. It’s not. Just shorter hours and much less pay. These people didn’t even last a term. Could it be that?

The more you say, the less attractive your CV is looking.

We have quite a few parents working at our school but have also had some same parents interviewed multiple times when you just know they’re not going to get hired - because they don’t fit.

You will find a role eventually.

I think you're overhanging this.
You applied for a job that's very in demand, you likely weren't one of the strongest applicants, you've got a patchy work history, your dc being at the school doesn't give you extra points or anything.
What do you think might be at play? Some sort of conspiracy to keep you out?

It is disheartening I agree .I would imagine they have a lot of applicants though.These positions fill very quickly.Maybe keep trying at other Schools as well.The fact you are a parent may go against you as they may feel they have enough and it may be against policy if seen to have too many parent helpers

Yep. Why would they buy the cow when they can get the milk for free? Apply at other schools and see what happens OP.

Correction meant to say it isn’t always a good idea to work in your own child’s school

At the school where I work you are unlikely to have got shortlisted either. An LSA needs to be able to work around the whole school depending on which child/children need support at any given time, we have a very strict policy that parents employed by us cannot work in the same year group, let alone class, and with budgets as they are this would mean an entire year group potentially losing support. There are times when it's 'all hands to the deck' and to have someone unavailable is simply not sustainable. For teachers it is much simpler as they can be moved to different year groups in order to avoid their children.
I also agree with PPs that these jobs are highly sought after and there are always a lot of highly qualified and experienced candidates. For the last few LSA jobs we advertised, only people with at least three years paid experience were interviewed.

I was just asking if anyone else has experienced the same. I don’t think being a parent gives me extra points. Seeing if people agreed or had any other ideas. That’s what this forum is for. Mums supporting other mums. I know they aren’t meant to decide with personal reasons but they probably do. It’s all about who you know nowadays and if they think you’ll be a good fit. Not always experience.

I thought this too. As it’s a small school and I have two kids there. So that would restrict two year groups of where they could place me. I think it’s a combination of lots of factors in the end. It’s just a shame as it would be lovely working in the same school and a lot easier and cheaper in terms of childcare (breakfast club). I’ll just keep looking.