Friday March 12th
Interview at Kings' today - quite a grilling from Head of Dept, Assistant Head and Governor. However prepared, experienced and good you are at interviewing, to be sat in a chair 12 inches from three people asking you questions is quite challenging.
There is obviously a set list of questions for Hampshire schools as I got many of the same as my interview at Perins. I thought I did well and they seemed to like my answers which was confirmed when THEY OFFERED ME A PERMANENT JOB. This has been a critical goal since I started on this journey almost two years ago (well, there's a surprise). The big bonus is that it's a Maths and Business Studies job which I hadn't planned for but karma is a wonderful thing
Drove up to More House for the rest of the day where I had no lessons to teach or, as the staff call it, a "no contact" day. Sounds like we are in a combat zone. Hmmmmm
Showing posts with label job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job. Show all posts
Day 329 - 14 Lessons In 4 Days
Thursday March 12th
I was mightily relieved to get through my first week of teaching and discovered some necessary survival short cuts along the way. I have taught 14 lessons in 4 days. I normally teach 12 in 5. I haven't felt as rushed as I do at Kings' and being more pragmatic in my lesson planning has helped - beginning, middle and end is what I need.
I haven't been as adventurous as I would like nor has everything worked but would definitely give myself a B for week 1. I need to take a few more risks next week as there's no point being safe with the short time I have. I have adapted remarkably quickly given that I was thrown in the deep end. Self congratulatory pat on the back.
They have now asked about 5 times if I want a job there. It is tempting as I could see myself enjoying it but the travel would be onerous and I suspect, given it is a boarding school, I would get sucked more into life after the school day ends than I or Mrs N would want.
I was mightily relieved to get through my first week of teaching and discovered some necessary survival short cuts along the way. I have taught 14 lessons in 4 days. I normally teach 12 in 5. I haven't felt as rushed as I do at Kings' and being more pragmatic in my lesson planning has helped - beginning, middle and end is what I need.
I haven't been as adventurous as I would like nor has everything worked but would definitely give myself a B for week 1. I need to take a few more risks next week as there's no point being safe with the short time I have. I have adapted remarkably quickly given that I was thrown in the deep end. Self congratulatory pat on the back.
They have now asked about 5 times if I want a job there. It is tempting as I could see myself enjoying it but the travel would be onerous and I suspect, given it is a boarding school, I would get sucked more into life after the school day ends than I or Mrs N would want.
Day 299 - Job Karma
Tuesday February 9th
The reason I am not in my second school today is that Kings' failed to send off for my CRB check. This is to ensure that I do not have a prior record of interfering with children. Fair enough and fair enough that More House won't let me be in a classroom alone with children until they see the document. A few red faces in the admin office this morning.
I also turned down the Perin's job which they were not happy about. Late on Friday, Kings' decided they were going to advertise a teacher role for a Maths and Business Studies teacher from September. My karma has kicked in again. When will it run out? This explains my two minds on the Perin's job.
In hindsight, Perin's seems a great school with much less pressure than Kings', driven by smaller numbers (1100 v 1650) and a less strict uniform and behaviour code. The latter definitely results in a less tense atmosphere around the school. However, I can't see myself moving to a job outside Winchester where, once again, I would lead a completely separate life to the rest of my family. I like what I have at Kings' and want to keep it.
The reason I am not in my second school today is that Kings' failed to send off for my CRB check. This is to ensure that I do not have a prior record of interfering with children. Fair enough and fair enough that More House won't let me be in a classroom alone with children until they see the document. A few red faces in the admin office this morning.
I also turned down the Perin's job which they were not happy about. Late on Friday, Kings' decided they were going to advertise a teacher role for a Maths and Business Studies teacher from September. My karma has kicked in again. When will it run out? This explains my two minds on the Perin's job.
In hindsight, Perin's seems a great school with much less pressure than Kings', driven by smaller numbers (1100 v 1650) and a less strict uniform and behaviour code. The latter definitely results in a less tense atmosphere around the school. However, I can't see myself moving to a job outside Winchester where, once again, I would lead a completely separate life to the rest of my family. I like what I have at Kings' and want to keep it.
Day 298 - Are You A Firm Candidate For The Role?
Monday February 8th
What a day.
Interview - I go to my interview at Perins School still in two minds. This was not the plan. It's set up like American Idol. There are 6 of us and we have a tour of the school, an "informal" interview with the Head and Deputy Head and finally, a 30 minute lesson to teach. This is all before lunch and then they get rid of 3 and the other 3 go on to final interviews with the lucky winner being offered a job at 3.15pm.
I have to say this is the hardest selection process I have been through with the possible exception of my first job at Beecham 20 years ago. When I compare the process for getting my SVP role, there is no comparison. The difficulty of the interview process is inversely proportional to the salary involved!
So the first question the Head asks me is whether I am a firm candidate for the role. This is the worst possible question to ask me so I was honest with her. Bad decision. My lesson went OK - it was full of energy and sizzle but not sure how much substance. Must have gone OK as I went through to the last 3.
My final interview was with a panel of 4 firing questions at me. I thought it went pretty badly and I had been found out for the fraud I am. Apparently not as they offered me the job.
Then I found out I wasn't going to More House on Tuesday.
What a day.
Interview - I go to my interview at Perins School still in two minds. This was not the plan. It's set up like American Idol. There are 6 of us and we have a tour of the school, an "informal" interview with the Head and Deputy Head and finally, a 30 minute lesson to teach. This is all before lunch and then they get rid of 3 and the other 3 go on to final interviews with the lucky winner being offered a job at 3.15pm.
I have to say this is the hardest selection process I have been through with the possible exception of my first job at Beecham 20 years ago. When I compare the process for getting my SVP role, there is no comparison. The difficulty of the interview process is inversely proportional to the salary involved!
So the first question the Head asks me is whether I am a firm candidate for the role. This is the worst possible question to ask me so I was honest with her. Bad decision. My lesson went OK - it was full of energy and sizzle but not sure how much substance. Must have gone OK as I went through to the last 3.
My final interview was with a panel of 4 firing questions at me. I thought it went pretty badly and I had been found out for the fraud I am. Apparently not as they offered me the job.
Then I found out I wasn't going to More House on Tuesday.
Day 279 - Tangled Webs
Wednesday January 20th
Back to work today but, because of the school closures, both my Year 8 classes were taking exams so I had no planning to do at all. It made for quite a relaxed day and I caught up with a few things.
Soon I will need to face the prospect of applying for a job as there is no current vacancy at Kings'. I am feeling quite relaxed about it but Mrs. N is not. I suppose the thought of going to another new school from September is not particularly appealing having put so much effort into getting to know staff and children here.
I broached the idea of teaching Business Studies to my mentor but backtracked very quickly when a look of horror crossed her face..."but why would you want to do that if you want to teach Maths?....". Ah, it's a long story. I do need to spend some time with the Business Studies department and see what's going on with them. I know a bit about that stuff.
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