6th February 2011 Q7

NOW!

LEA Database, LEA pools, speculative applications, word of mouth, me, mentors...

www.tes.co.uk

What now?

1)Go onto the website and have a look around. Many will have a vacancies section. 2) Request an application form/further details

Ensure that you follow instructions when requesting information and application forms; for example do not phone if they ask you to write. If you phone, remember this is the school’s first impression.

3) Read everything twice. Scrutinise the website. Search for the most recent OFSTED report. Look at tables.

A letter of application always needs to be tailored for the job.

Read between the lines to discover the ethos of the school and current school priorities.

If you are applying for multiple jobs save each draft separately.

Take a look at the information and the two letters of application that I have received for the post of RE Teacher at the Lewis Academy.

-Give these a gut-instinct mark out of 10.-How might you improve these letters of application? Annotate the letters.-Spot the deliberate mistakes. -What questions might a HOD wish to ask on the basis of these letters at interview?

Lewis School requirements

My experience

Knowledge of the EdExcel specification

While I am currently teaching the OCR specification for RE, I have used the Ed Excel specification in my SE1 placement. I have applied to be an EdExcel examiner in the forthcoming examinations to gain greater experience.

Ability to work with SEN pupils

I differentiate effectively in all my lessons, as commented on in my School Experience report. I have worked effectively with TAs to provide personalised learning for pupils, using data to assist monitoring progress.

Length? Making your application stand out from the

crowd? What to include and what not to include? Presentation Style Task: Sort out the cards

into three piles:

1) I would be happy to include this in my letter of application 2)I definitely would not mention this in my letter of application3) This could be used carefully

Task: In pairs (or separately) write a letter of application for one job from the RE job pool on the table. In each envelope will be the school’s application pack, an application form, advert and job description (where available).

You will have between thirty to forty minutes to construct the letter of application. Please do this on a separate piece of A4. Start with a job description summary.

Get the name of the Head teacher correct Send a covering letter with your letter of

application and application form/CV Don’t send a CV unless requested Check and double check you have sent

everything and that spg is perfect. Make sure you are using good quality paper,

but cream, embossed 200g paper is not necessary!

Photocopy application forms that request handwriting only, and practice writing in your finest, clearest writing. Use black ink.

Before taking up any post you will be required to register with regulatory bodies and successfully pass suitability checks, details of which can be found on page 22. However, these are not the only ways that employers and prospective employers can find information about you.

Many individuals benefit from the networking opportunities available via the Internet, however, the NASUWT has represented members where information has been gained from social networking sites and used against individuals. It is advisable for you to review and constantly monitor the detail of information you make available about yourself via any Internet site that could potentially be accessed via a third party.

(You should be monitoring all your social networking sites anyway).

www.teachersunion.org.uk/cyberbullying.