Primary Teacher UK

Jobs struggle in Scotland

Hundreds of new teachers stand little chance of finding a full-time permanent job in Scotland, a study has suggested. Scottish Government statistics indicate there were 607 advertised vacancies in February, down almost 13% on last year.

Figures earlier this month indicated almost 1,600 of the teachers who qualified last summer did not have full-time permanent jobs. Ministers said vacancies did occur throughout the year and jobs would become available as older staff retire. But the EIS teaching union said it was concerned that many new teachers may leave the profession.

Interview Questions

I've had my list of interview questions on the net now for a while and thought that I would try I would make the file more useful by allowing anyone else to add to. This way we could hopefully build up a more complete list of questions that you may be asked at interviews along with possible suggestions for answers.

The list of questions is now available on Google Docs where it can be viewed. If you would like access to edit the document please email me and I will send you an invitation. Editing the document is just like editing a Microsoft Word file so don't feel like it will be too difficult or you might mess it up.

Let's work together to help each other.

Link: View the Interview questions on Google Docs.
Link: Email to add your own Interview questions.

Job Hunting

Finished teacher training and still looking for a job?  The TES, although excellent, is not always the best place to look.  Looking at the individual authority will give you much better results.  Putting an advert in the TES costs schools money, the LA advert doesn't. Here's a quick comparison:

Primary jobs in Warrington on TES: 1
Primary jobs in Warrington on LA page: 8

You can use the TDA page to find direct links to your local authority and their teaching job pages.

The TES does have some resources for letter of application writing, job applications, pay scales and interview techniques which may just help you clich the job that you want.

Matt, who becomes a NQT this year, also put together a great collection of links for those applying for jobs.

Interview Questions

With a lot of students about to start looking for jobs I thought that I'd post my list of interview questions for download.  The list is in no way concise, it's just questions that I've asked, or been asked, while at interviews.

If anyone else has any lists then I'll be pleased to combine them.  Matt, who is now looking for job having finished his final year, also put together an interesting post for those students going for their first job.  The post has links to some other websites with interview questions and tips for when you're in an interview.

Here's my two tips:

1. When applying for a job make sure that you write your letter of application to fit the personal specification.  Many heads tick off each part of the spec as you mention it in your letter of application.  The more ticks you get the bigger the chance of being shortlisted. 
2. Once you get your interview be confident and show how much you enjoy teaching !

Link: Download Interview Questions

PTUK guide to job applications

There'll be one thing on the mind of student teacher alike over the next few months - securing a job in an ideal school for September 2007.

I've put together a short job applications guide to help make people aware of some of the excellent resources online to help them apply for a first job/job change.

General

There are two excellent documents that are free (thanks to Edge Hill University) to download and contain loads of useful information. The first is called 'How to apply for a teaching post' and can be downloaded here (PDF). This contains information on application forms, CVs, application letters, personal statements and more.

The second is called 'Interview questions for primary and early years teachers' and can be downloaded here (PDF). This document contains advice on preparing for interviews and interview lessons, preparaing a portfolio, and it contains a substantial list of potential questions that interviewers may ask.

The TES FAQ contains some frequently asked questions related to job applications, students and NQTs.

CV
There are tonnes of sites that contain information on how best to write a good resume. The eteach jobs site contains some useful tips on producing an effective CV (click here) and also has a student/NQT zone (here)

CV consultants will appraise your CV for free (more information here). I emailed them my CV and received a phone call back a week and half later from one of their staff who briefly discussed the good points of and ways to improve my CV and offered me a professional personalised CV and application letter for around £69.

Portfolio

Sara Bubb, from the Institute of Education, provides some portfolio creation tips on this post on the TES - well worth a read.

Job applications

TES jobs (here) is an excellent site that contains a feature that can be set to send you a text and an email you when a job is advertised in the area in which you are looking. Register with TES jobs for free here.

Eteach is smiliar to TES jobs and contains a browsable database of job vacancies. As mentioned above, the site contains loads of job relating information and advice.

It's also well worth looking for jobs advertised on Borough websites, such as http://www.harrow.gov.uk and http://www.enfield.gov.uk/.