Applied to be Superintendent for Certificate Exams - when will I hear?

fader123

I applied back in January to be an exam superintendent. This is my first time applying. Haven't heard anything back yet. Starting to make holiday plans now and just wondering when people normally hear whether they have got a position or not?

sitstill

fader123 wrote: »

I applied back in January to be an exam superintendent. This is my first time applying. Haven't heard anything back yet. Starting to make holiday plans now and just wondering when people normally hear whether they have got a position or not?

I received my appointment letter last week.

Was this your first time to apply? I'd suggest you give them a call and they can check out what the story is for you.

doc_17

I received my annual rejection letter last week.

rainbowtrout

Give them a call. They are probably waiting to hear back from people to confirm if they are taking their offer or not, before they send out more offers. They were begging people in June last year to take on centres they were so short. A friend of mine was offered 3 schools and told to take her pick.

sitstill

doc_17 wrote: »

I received my annual rejection letter last week.

Just out of interest, how many times have you applied unsuccessfully now?

man_no_plan

sitstill wrote: »

Just out of interest, how many times have you applied unsuccessfully now?

All the talk is they cant get people!

deiseindublin

doc_17 wrote: »

I received my annual rejection letter last week.

You can't be Dublin based for sure.

If you ring up SEC they will tell you what the cut off is (measured in years experience) for each county.

Millem

I got my letter last week and closing date for response was yesterday!

Last year was the first year I had to collect papers in the national show centre. There were no shows last years! A reserve in my centre got a call around 5 o clock last year.

I am marking in the next few weeks and we were told at marking conference that 13 examiners have dropped out. Advising examiners now have to act as examiners to mop up the excess!

happywithlife

Millem heard the same last year too. I accepted superintendent this year even though I swore after last year I was out but my current contract will pay me over the summer whereas last year I just about broke even for superintendent after paying childcare. But I am waiting to know where I am and what centre- if it's a LC centre i will be pulling out as can't justify the extra expense - got caught last year with LC centre and a candidate who had an extra 20 minutes per exam - totally messed up my childcare arrangements - I can manage JC Times but not LC. Such a balls we don't find out till the Tuesday our actual timetable
Re the marking - doesn't surprise me. Corrector have been treated like crap the past few years. I know an LCA Assistant advisor who has been roped into other modules this year as they hadn't enough and couldn't get anyone to do it

pandoraj09

happywithlife wrote: »

Millem heard the same last year too. I accepted superintendent this year even though I swore after last year I was out but my current contract will pay me over the summer whereas last year I just about broke even for superintendent after paying childcare. But I am waiting to know where I am and what centre- if it's a LC centre i will be pulling out as can't justify the extra expense - got caught last year with LC centre and a candidate who had an extra 20 minutes per exam - totally messed up my childcare arrangements - I can manage JC Times but not LC. Such a balls we don't find out till the Tuesday our actual timetable
Re the marking - doesn't surprise me. [B]Corrector have been treated like crap the past few years.[/B] I know an LCA Assistant advisor who has been roped into other modules this year as they hadn't enough and couldn't get anyone to do it

How have correctors been treated like crap??? Silly comments like this put people off correcting.

mtoutlemonde

pandoraj09 wrote: »

How have correctors been treated like crap??? Silly comments like this put people off correcting.

Yes I agree with this. It is a time consuming job with high stress levels. I've done it the past years and have had no problems and anyone I know have had no problems. Everyone should try it sometime to get an insight into how their subject is corrected. You're not going to be a millionaire with the pay but that is dependent on subject but the more work you have to do the more you'll get paid. If you're on part time hours or unemployed during the summer - it will be worth it - the only disadvantage is you won't be paid until October.

Also I can't see the problem with advising examiners being 'roped' in to examine other modules. There is a shortage of examiners and the number of candidates doing LCA would be far less than the LC or JC. I'm sure they weren't brought to Athlone against their will.

spurious

For starters:
Poor conditions at marking conferences
Big pullback on expenses allowed.
Change in mileage allowance from home to 'centre'.
Less money.
Shortening of deadlines for returns of papers.
Increases in numbers of papers given without extra time allowances.
More than one or two re-adjustments of marking schemes, each of which results in a re-mark of papers to date.

mtoutlemonde

spurious wrote: »

For starters:
Poor conditions at marking conferences
Big pullback on expenses allowed.
Change in mileage allowance from home to 'centre'.
Less money.
Shortening of deadlines for returns of papers.
Increases in numbers of papers given without extra time allowances.
More than one or two re-adjustments of marking schemes, each of which results in a re-mark of papers to date.

Admittedly, I can't argue with all of that but it's worthwhile in terms of your teaching. I see over on VFT a poster giving out that they only got €2 per paper and working for €4 per hour. It's a choice you make - do it or don't.

spurious

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Admittedly, I can't argue with all of that but it's worthwhile in terms of your teaching. I see over on VFT a poster giving out that they only got €2 per paper and working for €4 per hour. It's a choice you make - do it or don't.

I would very much agree it's worth doing at least once.

It's the real penny-pinching that galls. Like making people pay for a scabby cup of tea when some of them have driven four hours to make an early conference start - completely unnecessary and very disrespectful of the very people who are helping them out of a hole.

The shortening year by year of the time limits for returning corrections is worrying, if it continues at the rate it is going in subjects I am familiar with. All it does is rush people which results in errors.

r93kaey5p2izun

Saying do it or don't do it and dismissing issues is all well and good until they can't get enough correctors - already becoming a problem. All but one of my colleagues who corrected have given it up. Deteriorating terms and conditions was a big factor but actually ridiculous demands in terms of being expected to be contactable at unreasonable hours was the last straw for several of them. Their reports of recent demands have certainly put many, including myself, off.

mtoutlemonde

spurious wrote: »

I would very much agree it's worth doing at least once.

It's the real penny-pinching that galls. Like making people pay for a scabby cup of tea when some of them have driven four hours to make an early conference start - completely unnecessary and very disrespectful of the very people who are helping them out of a hole.

The shortening year by year of the time limits for returning corrections is worrying, if it continues at the rate it is going in subjects I am familiar with. All it does is rush people which results in errors.

We got tea and scones and subsidised lunch - probably won't this year. Yes the penny pinching is a pain especially the distance from either home or school - that one annoys me. Yes the shortening of returning corrections will lead to mistakes but it could be brought up at conference. I could only do 40 scripts last year so when that was done you were finished for the day.

rainbowtrout

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Admittedly, I can't argue with all of that but it's worthwhile in terms of your teaching. I see over on VFT a poster giving out that they only got €2 per paper and working for €4 per hour. It's a choice you make - do it or don't.

Those kind of people sicken me, and I detest them being the voices of teachers. There is no subject paying €2 per paper. No job in the country is quoted at the after tax rate. It's quoted at the rate per hour/ per piece/ salary. Take home pay is an entirely different matter.

So they are not working for €4 per hour.

I would say all of the reasons listed above by spurious are reasons to be pissed off with correction, but generally not the pay per paper, particularly at LC level.

E.g. the top rate of pay is as far as i know HL LC English/Irish. Examiner gets both papers and gets paid €31 per pair corrected.

rainbowtrout

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

We got tea and scones and subsidised lunch - probably won't this year. Yes the penny pinching is a pain especially the distance from either home or school - that one annoys me. Yes the shortening of returning corrections will lead to mistakes but it could be brought up at conference. I could only do 40 scripts last year so when that was done you were finished for the day.

Were you correcting a foreign language by any chance? Serious shortages there last year, I'd imagine you were being buttered up to retain you.

mtoutlemonde

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Those kind of people sicken me, and I detest them being the voices of teachers. There is no subject paying €2 per paper. No job in the country is quoted at the after tax rate. It's quoted at the rate per hour/ per piece/ salary. Take home pay is an entirely different matter.

So they are not working for €4 per hour.

I would say all of the reasons listed above by spurious are reasons to be pissed off with correction, but generally not the pay per paper, particularly at LC level.

E.g. the top rate of pay is as far as i know HL LC English/Irish. Examiner gets both papers and gets paid €31 per pair corrected.

I share your views. I never see anything constructive over on VFT - it's all negative. I would never ever post anything over there. I'd wonder if the mods really are teachers as they post all kinds of tripe over there.

Now back on topic - I have corrected for the last few years and have been paid more than what is stated above. I have enjoyed the experience as I have gained loads from it. It's only three weeks work.

Crazyteacher

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Those kind of people sicken me, and I detest them being the voices of teachers. There is no subject paying €2 per paper. No job in the country is quoted at the after tax rate. It's quoted at the rate per hour/ per piece/ salary. Take home pay is an entirely different matter.

So they are not working for €4 per hour.

I would say all of the reasons listed above by spurious are reasons to be pissed off with correction, but generally not the pay per paper, particularly at LC level.

E.g. the top rate of pay is as far as i know HL LC English/Irish. Examiner gets both papers and gets paid €31 per pair corrected.

I think that post on voice for teachers was referring to mock corrections ? And they knew what they were signing up for.

r93kaey5p2izun

The post on VFT is about mock corrections not SEC. I can't agree with complete dismissal of that poster's concerns either. That it was NET pay was clearly stated - you can insist gross is the only number that should be quoted but once it's made clear which figure is being discissed I don't see the need for such outrage. As for knowing what you sign up for - to an extent yes, but someone correcting for the first time would not have a clear idea of how many papers they would get through.

rainbowtrout

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

I share your views. I never see anything constructive over on VFT - it's all negative. I would never ever post anything over there. I'd wonder if the mods really are teachers as they post all kinds of tripe over there.

Now back on topic - I have corrected for the last few years and have been paid more than what is stated above. I have enjoyed the experience as I have gained loads from it. It's only three weeks work.

Don't follow VFT for a long time, it was just pissing me off with whinging ignorant idiots that didn't know their basic facts.

I've been correcting for 16 years, I'll be doing it again this year. It's a slog, but I earn a good bit of money from it and it pays for a nice holiday each year.

mtoutlemonde

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Were you correcting a foreign language by any chance? Serious shortages there last year, I'd imagine you were being buttered up to retain you.

Yes I was. The new system made the exams a breeze to correct - no post office, scruid 60, phone calls or totting up - all done for you. There were shortages but it was they went around implementing and their correspondence with correctors.

mtoutlemonde

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Don't follow VFT for a long time, it was just pissing me off with whinging ignorant idiots that didn't know their basic facts.

I've been correcting for 16 years, I'll be doing it again this year. It's a slog, but I earn a good bit of money from it and it pays for a nice holiday each year.

As always, I'm in agreement with you!!! I really don't know what some people expect to earn.

Crazyteacher

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Yes I was. The new system made the exams a breeze to correct - no post office, scruid 60, phone calls or totting up - all done for you. There were shortages but it was they went around implementing and their correspondence with correctors.

Sounds great. What subject will they be correcting like that next?

mtoutlemonde

Crazyteacher wrote: »

I think that post on voice for teachers was referring to mock corrections ? And they knew what they were signing up for.

It was but still relevant here - people not happy with the rates they're being paid.

mtoutlemonde

Crazyteacher wrote: »

Sounds great. What subject will they be correcting like that next?

Well the system that we downloaded had JC maths on it - so maybe that. I really recommend it. I was finished a few days before deadline.

mtoutlemonde

Amani Tart Legume wrote: »

The post on VFT is about mock corrections not SEC. I can't agree with complete dismissal of that poster's concerns either. That it was NET pay was clearly stated - you can insist gross is the only number that should be quoted but once it's made clear which figure is being discissed I don't see the need for such outrage. As for knowing what you sign up for - to an extent yes, but someone correcting for the first time would not have a clear idea of how many papers they would get through.

Well it is stated in confirmation letter and they should be able to know that the papers will be in the hundreds not class tests. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed in my first year but had a very encouraging supervisor and once the first hundred were done - I was flying it. Correcting class tests don't pose a problem anymore

Crazyteacher

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Well the system that we downloaded had JC maths on it - so maybe that. I really recommend it. I was finished a few days before deadline.

I was finished a week before my deadline too , correcting manually

r93kaey5p2izun

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Well it is stated in confirmation letter and they should be able to know that the papers will be in the hundreds not class tests. I have to admit, I was a little overwhelmed in my first year but had a very encouraging supervisor and once the first hundred were done - I was flying it. Correcting class tests don't pose a problem anymore

I was referring to mock corrections (as was discussed on VFT) and how many you would get through per hour rather than over all - it's hardly surprising that some may be surprised by how long it takes for their first time, that's all.

Mekekka

Have any of you who have corrected done HL LC English? Got a call about whether I was willing to do it (had applied to correct OL LC English) so am mulling it over...

mtoutlemonde

Mekekka wrote: »

Have any of you who have corrected done HL LC English? Got a call about whether I was willing to do it (had applied to correct OL LC English) so am mulling it over...

Well if I was you, I would definitely do it for a year - I'm sure you can always drop back. I know it was a lot of work but I wouldn't say a lot more than OL - so I may be wrong. It would be brilliant for your teaching. I went to an in service lately showing how my paper is corrected at HL LC and it was very beneficial.

rainbowtrout

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

It was but still relevant here - people not happy with the rates they're being paid.

It's a private business and the pay is crap. Have only corrected for DEB, a long time ago now and they only ever quoted the after tax rate. The problem there was that they were only paying tax at the 20% rate for correctors, when (for me anyway) it should have been paid at the 41% rate. Very sneaky and underhand in my opinion. Revenue picked up on it and hit me with a bill for unpaid tax for about €800. It was the first time I was aware of it as I didn't realise they weren't paying the full rate. I got on to DEB straight away and got them to pay it. I was one of only two correctors for my subject at the time for them, so they needed me more than I needed them.

I also insisted that if they wanted me back the following year that they pay the 41% rate and my net pay to be unaffected. They agreed to all of that. But I do wonder what other teachers got stung in the past.

Millem

rainbowtrout wrote: »

It's a private business and the pay is crap. Have only corrected for DEB, a long time ago now and they only ever quoted the after tax rate. The problem there was that they were only paying tax at the 20% rate for correctors, when (for me anyway) it should have been paid at the 41% rate. Very sneaky and underhand in my opinion. Revenue picked up on it and hit me with a bill for unpaid tax for about €800. It was the first time I was aware of it as I didn't realise they weren't paying the full rate. I got on to DEB straight away and got them to pay it. I was one of only two correctors for my subject at the time for them, so they needed me more than I needed them.

I also insisted that if they wanted me back the following year that they pay the 41% rate and my net pay to be unaffected. They agreed to all of that. But I do wonder what other teachers got stung in the past.

Me!!!!!! I am currently trying to sort it out with them!!! I work in previous year but get paid following year if that makes sense?? They haven't processed my payment yet!
It will hit me next year when I claim back on med1.

And don't forget usc!! They only paid 1% whereas I should pay 5% this year.

rainbowtrout

Millem wrote: »

Me!!!!!! I am currently trying to sort it out with them!!! I work in previous year but get paid following year if that makes sense?? They haven't processed my payment yet!
It will hit me next year when I claim back on med1.

And don't forget usc!! They only paid 1% whereas I should pay 5% this year.

Don't know why they would delay payment for a year. I used to get paid 4-6 weeks after final corrections. USC didn't exist when I was correcting for them. Was around 2008 I reckon or a bit earlier.

Millem

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Don't know why they would delay payment for a year. I used to get paid 4-6 weeks after final corrections. USC didn't exist when I was correcting for them. Was around 2008 I reckon or a bit earlier.

It's not correcting
I do my work for them in September then get paid around same time as Correctors

rainbowtrout

Millem wrote: »

It's not correcting
I do my work for them in September then get paid around same time as Correctors

Fair enough! I used to write mock papers years ago, don't remember when I got paid for it.

Crazyteacher

Superintending payments are getting faster each year. And the examining payment was even earlier last year. I have to give it to them, they are working harder to get payments out.

happywithlife

pandoraj09 wrote: »

How have correctors been treated like crap??? Silly comments like this put people off correcting.

Just to address my post earlier - I was treated like crap at appeals stage - won't get into specifics but let's say there was an issue in getting the papers to me and the date I received them was the deadline to get all papers back to SEC - I was put under enormous pressure to mark them. I wasn't made aware fully of procedure to follow due to the mishap and I still feel the way the advisor handled the while thing was deplorable. It has soured what was until then a good working relationship with that person. I will never forget how she spoke to me on the phone and whatever about marking it has put me right off appeals.
And that poxy 2.50 for a cup (cup not even a mug!!!!!) Of tea is a killer 😠😠

doc_17

sitstill wrote: »

Just out of interest, how many times have you applied unsuccessfully now?

The first time I applied was in 2008 and I got it that year and the following year but haven't got it since.

rainbowtrout

doc_17 wrote: »

The first time I applied was in 2008 and I got it that year and the following year but haven't got it since.

Jaysis doc, have you gone on a killing spree since? Because I can't think of any other reason you haven't got anything.:) You must be the unluckiest teacher in the country not to have been offered supervision given the major shortage problems the SEC have had to fill positions.

I see you have your location as Donegal. I wonder is it just one of those counties that have teachers there doing it for years, so positions rarely come up, unlike Dublin. And given the long distance and the quirk of the border, you'd have to travel (mileage and overnights) to get it in any other county, you're just shoved to the bottom of the list. The friend I mentioned in an earlier post was offered 3 schools in and around Dublin/Kildare I think and was Roscommon based, but it would still be cheaper to pay them to come from Roscommon than you from Donegal etc.

it might be worth ringing them and telling them you are willing to travel if you are,and hopefully you get something if you really want it.

doc_17

rainbowtrout wrote: »

Jaysis doc, have you gone on a killing spree since? Because I can't think of any other reason you haven't got anything.:) You must be the unluckiest teacher in the country not to have been offered supervision given the major shortage problems the SEC have had to fill positions.

I see you have your location as Donegal. I wonder is it just one of those counties that have teachers there doing it for years, so positions rarely come up, unlike Dublin. And given the long distance and the quirk of the border, you'd have to travel (mileage and overnights) to get it in any other county, you're just shoved to the bottom of the list. The friend I mentioned in an earlier post was offered 3 schools in and around Dublin/Kildare I think and was Roscommon based, but it would still be cheaper to pay them to come from Roscommon than you from Donegal etc.

it might be worth ringing them and telling them you are willing to travel if you are,and hopefully you get something if you really want it.

No killing sprees, it's just the county I'm from I suppose.

Crazyteacher

Doc 17 I think you should give them a call in the week or so. The appointment letters for this accepting/rejecting had to be back just before the start of the Easter break. They may have had some rejections and could be eager to get you. It's not uncommon for drop outs closer to the date of the exams too.

mtoutlemonde

Crazyteacher wrote: »

Doc 17 I think you should give them a call in the week or so. The appointment letters for this accepting/rejecting had to be back just before the start of the Easter break. They may have had some rejections and could be eager to get you. It's not uncommon for drop outs closer to the date of the exams too.

And if your circumstances allow, tell them you can travel.

Notorious

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

Yes I agree with this. It is a time consuming job with high stress levels.

I'd add terrible pay to that. JC correcting awarded me €5 a script which could take up to an hour to correct. I corrected for the first time last year and I couldn't believe the pressure I was put under (I've worked in high pressure industries before teaching). I made all my deadlines and still I had my supervisor phoning me at anytime from 7am to 11pm, any day of the week except Sunday.

The benefit was the experience I got from correcting my subject; though I had all the experience I needed after a week.

Might not be a popular opinion but I'd never recommend correcting. Take the three months off and enjoy them. The 3 weeks of correcting is a tough, thankless job. It isn't made any easier with the poor rate of pay.

mtoutlemonde

Notorious wrote: »

I'd add terrible pay to that. JC correcting awarded me €5 a script which could take up to an hour to correct. I corrected for the first time last year and I couldn't believe the pressure I was put under (I've worked in high pressure industries before teaching). I made all my deadlines and still I had my supervisor phoning me at anytime from 7am to 11pm, any day of the week except Sunday.

The benefit was the experience I got from correcting my subject; though I had all the experience I needed after a week.

Might not be a popular opinion but I'd never recommend correcting. Take the three months off and enjoy them. The 3 weeks of correcting is a tough, thankless job. It isn't made any easier with the poor rate of pay.

Well the OP was asking about superintendent for exams which is poorly paid but the OP could be sent to another county (probably Dublin) and be able claim overnights and travel.

Now with relation to correcting, we had discussion a few weeks ago so I'm not going to rehash it here. All I will say is there are benefits to correcting, it won't make you a millionaire but what you gain will help you a lot in the future. If it gets more difficult for the SEC to find examiners, it will soon be part of your job so be careful what you wish for. I've corrected for the last few years, had a lovely examiner with no problems. Not everyone has a bad experience.

Also just wondering what subject you were correcting because I correct a language and don't get much more than that and I would get a lot more done than one per hour. Remember your rate depends on the amount of work that needs correcting hence English examiners receive ~31 per paper.

doc_17

Ah I won't go begging to them.

man_no_plan

It's worth noting that the travel rates have been cut this year also, although the o/night is rising a little.

http://tui.ie/news-events/revised-rates-for-motor-travel-and-subsistence-.10303.html

mtoutlemonde

man_no_plan wrote: »

It's worth noting that the travel rates have been cut this year also, although the o/night is rising a little.

http://tui.ie/news-events/revised-rates-for-motor-travel-and-subsistence-.10303.html

Instead of printing thousands of glossy leaflets/posters and gave that money to examiners they might not have such a problem recruiting people.

doc_17

Has anyone received word on where they are being sent this year?

deiseindublin

It's usually the Friday before the schools break up so another 3 days probably.