We are grateful to John Howson and Routledge for the opportunity to publish a series of excerpts from the book. 

Taking Control of Your Teaching Career
John Howson
Routledge
£15.99

Click here to purchase this book via the TES bookshop.

Based upon John Howson’s popular column in The TES, the book outlines the possible career options open to teachers who:

* have just finished their Induction Year;
* are considering taking on a leadership role;
* are looking to take time out of the classroom; or
* want to come back to teaching. 


Job hunting: tips in dealing with the application process


Applications

Can I apply online for jobs these days?

Although applying online is not yet common practice, more and more schools are including job application forms on their websites. The advantages of electronic applications are that you don’t have to type out the same information every time. However, beware of using a standard letter of application; it should always be personalised to meet the requirements of each post you are applying for. Remember, however many posts you have applied for, this is the first time each individual school will have had anything to do with you.

Why do some schools ask for the letter of application to be handwritten?

This is a relic of the days before computers, when legible handwriting, both in the classroom and in reports to parents, was an essential requirement for teachers. These days, with IT taking over, I would have thought it was a much less important skill.

I have a criminal conviction for criminal damage, although committed when I was still at school. Should I mention it on my application form?

Yes, as it should be detected by the Criminal Records Bureau check. Owning up allows you to put it in context, especially if it is the type of offence that these days would only receive a fixed penalty rather than a visit to court. By completing your training and then working in schools you have demonstrated that the offence should already have been considered several times and not regarded as a barrier to your becoming a teacher. However, new rules to be introduced will tighten the regulations even further. 

Interviews

Can I ask to visit the school before the interview?

Much may depend upon how many applications a school is expecting to receive. For main-grade posts in areas where many applications may be received, it may just not be practicable. However, there is much that you can find out online these days about a school. Maybe someone in the TES Staffroom will be able to offer some opinions about the schools ...

What can I expect?

How much notice do I need to give when changing teaching jobs?

Generally for those who are not heads, it is two months if leaving at Christmas or Easter and three months if leaving in the summer. Some schools will allow you to leave earlier by mutual agreement.