When to apply for your first teaching post
Local authority recruitment cycles kick off every September, when students are starting their initial teacher training (ITT) year or finishing off their BEd. Your course provider will probably host a teaching recruitment fair. This is a golden opportunity to talk to local authority recruiters and find out some useful facts: for example, when and how to apply for jobs (do they run a pool or database system, do they accept online or paper-based applications?) and what kind of induction support and training is on offer in their area.
The first time you’ll get exposed to a potential employer is when you do your placement – it’s worth bearing in mind that schools keep a lookout for promising student teachers and may encourage you to register with their local authority application system.
Pools, databases and school adverts
Local authorities often recruit newly qualified teachers (NQTs) via pool systems, which commonly open for applications in December and close in February or March. It’s probably best not to apply as soon as the pool opens, but rather to wait until you have completed your first term, when you will have the benefit of your experience (including your first placement) to support your application. If you’re successful you will be invited to attend an interview – if not, you should be offered feedback and you may be invited to sign up to an electronic ongoing vacancy list. Some local authorities operate an applicant database through which schools have direct access to application forms and can therefore contact candidates directly to invite them to an interview. Schools sometimes advertise specific jobs independently in a variety of educational publications. You can find out details of the application process by looking at individual local authority (LA) websites. The NUT publication First Post also gives details of the application process for primary and secondary teaching in every local authority area.
Start thinking early
Although you shouldn’t apply before you’re ready, it is a good idea to start thinking early on about the kind of school and location you want to teach in. When you’ve decided where to target your applications, be sure to find out when closing dates are as late applications won’t be considered. This is also the time to check when interviews will be held – if you know you’ll be away on the crucial day, you can let the local authority know and they will be able to assign you an overflow date if you are selected for interview.
Be prepared to move
It’s worth being flexible in terms of where you’re prepared to work to increase your chances of finding a job. If you’re looking to teach in London don’t just apply to a single local authority – register with neighbouring boroughs to which you could commute.
