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Staffroom Confidential

Teachers’ tips

Last issue Wendy asked for tips on finding and applying for a new job.

Explain yourself

When making an application remember that whoever will read it does not know you and so be sure you explain things fully and give examples.

Sophie, London

Target setting

 Give yourself a realistic target of what you want to achieve and when by. I found this really helped when I looked for a new job and it made me more focused and determined. I even did the old-fashioned thing of making a list of pros and cons and where I wanted to work and didn’t. Result: a nice new job I love!

Alex, Yorkshire

Tell them why they need you

Go through the job specifi cation in the application form point by point and say how you can fulfi l each demand of the role.

Richard, Scunthorpe

See your strengths

Try to look at yourself through the eyes of someone else to see your strengths – sometimes we can underestimate ourselves!

Rita, Corby

Examine your motives

Before you start looking, be sure why you’re looking for a new job. Be sure it is for positive rather than just negative reasons. You will be more successful if you are feeling good about your reasons.

Mark, Derby

Go to page 16 to read about the NUT’s new guide on ‘How to obtain your First Post’.

Next issue

A new member of staff is making me the butt of her jokes in the staffroom. It’s been fairly harmless so far, but it’s really starting to get on my nerves. Help!

A funny thing happened… in our school assembly

Sara, by email

I had been walking around the hall talking to form tutors and checking uniforms as pupils were settling down for my assembly. The bell went, silencing the pupils, so I walked to the front of the hall to begin. Just as I was about to start, one boy said: “Miss, can I whisper something to you?”

I said: “I’d rather you didn’t as it’s not really very nice to whisper in front of other people”. He said: “Oh, well you have a green Post-it Note stuck to your skirt.”

Nice of someone else to let me know before I walked all the way to the front of the hall. We all had a good giggle!

Kate, Essex

During my year of teacher training, my fellow trainees and I were asked to lead an assembly. Quickly rising to the challenge, we decided to tackle the age-old issue of bullying and self-esteem. The grand fi nale was to be a dance to the popular song of the time Reach for the Stars by S Club 7.

Cheered on by the pupils, we were in full fl ow when suddenly I over-shimmied off the stage and nearly ended up seeing stars! (If only I could have passed it off as an attempt at crowd surfing...)

Sarah, Reading

My reception class was due to sing ‘There were six little teddy bears’ in the manner of Ten green bottles. My infants were overwhelmed with shyness and I sang all six verses by myself. All my colleagues agonised for my embarrassment, except one who rocked with silent, hysterical giggles!

Dorothy, Middlesex

Next issue: A funny thing happened… in our Christmas production. Send your anecdotes by 4 February.