Applying For A Job

[Guest]

Hi all just wanted to sound off and get a little advise really if you dont mind?

I am currently off work at the moment - I have been under a great deal of stress in my current school - in my opinion the school is not in a great place and it falls to a few people to do things they should have to to keep it going and I was being put upon in many ways whihc I should have been. I have decided that I need to get out of there and look for something new - at the moment I am FS leader with responsibitly for Nursery and Reception and we work closely with our new children's centre staff and Lead teacher. I have just seen a job advertised for assistant head of a nursery school and children's centre very near to where I live - i have to travel quite a way to school as well whcih is more pressure each day. I suppose what I am asking is do you think it is worth me applying for this - will they think being FS leader is not enough experience to be an assistant head and am I being silly applying for jobs at the moment? Thanks for reading i would really just like some people's opinions really. Ems x

[Rea]

I dont know how these things work ems but its always worth a shot. If you're not happy where you are it cant hurt to have a go at something else, you might be just what they're looking for. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Cait]

I'd say GO FOR IT!! be enthusiastic and show them you can do it! As a Manager I always find that enthusiasm plays a huge part of what I'm looking for in people and willingness to learn.

[mundia]

Hi ems, sorry to hear that things aren't great in your current job. I would definitely think about the job you have seen, ask for the details and see if you match the person specification. There are a number of things that will be different in a nursery school from managing a FS area within a primary but it may be just the challenge you are looking for.

I would also recommend that you go and have a look around the school/CC and chat with the current head, this will give you an idea if it the sort of place you feel you can work.

 

If after you've seen the person spec and had a visit, you decide that you'd like to try, then go for it.. you've nothing to lose and possibly lots to gain.

 

Good luck, let us know what you decide

[Tink69]

You should apply otherwise you will always be wondering "what if" You have nothing to lose

 

Good luck

 

Tink69

[Susan]

Mundia has offered you good advice.

 

My only caution is that you might need to mention to the HT about your current "off work" status, as although that should not stop you from applying for another job, I have been in a similar situation and was asked some very strange questions--in hindsight I think they had phoned my HT although the reference position was clearly stated that they would only seek refs after interview.

 

It could be worth you seeking advice from your union.

 

 

Good luck.

[Guest]

Hi ems

 

I would say go for it, most definitely. At the end of the day from being a leader of a department in a primary school, the next logical step up the career ladder is a move to assistant head.

 

If you are unhappy in your current job then it is definitely time to move on. It is really important to visit the place before applying as then you will get to feel the atmosphere within the school. Try to visit during the school / session times as well as I feel it really helps to build a picture of what it is really like.

 

I have just got a new job (moved from being FS coordinator in one school to the same position in another) and I have been off work since 7th January. The only time I mentioned it was when I phoned to arrange a visit and said I could come whenever as I was currently off work. When I got called for interview the head asked to come and observe me so I explained I was off work and he said that it couldn't be helped and not to worry. My current head mentioned that she would more than likely be asked to give absence history as part of the reference. The first thing the head asked in interview was 'how is your back today?', no other mention of the length of time I'd been off in any negative way. When he offered me the job he asked about next steps (have meeting with occ health next wk) but it was not an issue as far as he was concerned. So don't let the fact that you're off work put you off.

 

Let us know what you decide!

[Guest]

Thank you so much for your replies - i have decided that I should probably go for it so have rung to make an appointment to visit the school and once I have looked around if I feel it is right for me I am going to apply and see what happens! Thank you so much for reading and posting a reply its good to hear others opinions. Ems x

[Cait]

Thanks for the update, let us know what you think of it and how you get on!