Not getting 2nd Year RPT hours

deflated17

Hello, I was working in a great school with my own RPT hours last year. Anyway, the interview comes around and I didn't get the position. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Anyway my query is, would principals think it strange that I was not kept on for the second year? Thoughts of bad teacher/troublemaker/not a team player are coming to my mind which I'm not. It has really kicked my confidence and I'm wondering if I'm ever going to get lucky. Any advice?

evolving_doors

For future interviews I doubt principals will know the exact nature of your previous contract. For all they know it was a maternity leave with an extension, or whatever.
I'd say there have been a few teachers not rehired simply to avoid giving a CID.

km79

deflated17 wrote: »

Hello, I was working a great school with my own RPT hours last year. Anyway, the interview comes around and I didn't get the position. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Anyway my query is, would principals think it strange that I was not kept on for the second year? Thoughts of bad teacher/troublemaker/not a team player are coming to my mind which I'm not. It has really kicked my confidence and I'm wondering if I'm ever going to get lucky. Any advice?

Did you request interview feedback

deflated17

km79 wrote: »

Did you request interview feedback

Asked principal but was told the only feedback would be the points achieved at interview. Would have expected a bit more than that.

deflated17

Gebgbegb wrote: »

For future interviews I doubt principals will know the exact nature of your previous contract. For all they know it was a maternity leave with an extension, or whatever.
I'd say there have been a few teachers not rehired simply to avoid giving a CID.

Would you recommend swapping RPT to Fixed term on CV then?

TheDriver

It happens more than you think and there's many reasons for it happening. Just be honest because the former principal will be phoned

evolving_doors

deflated17 wrote: »

Would you recommend swapping RPT to Fixed term on CV then?

I'd just say it was a year contract with however many hours. Kids, parents and colleagues never really think about what type of contract you're on, once you're going in and teaching to the best of your ability then you're a teacher and that's that.

deflated17

TheDriver wrote: »

It happens more than you think and there's many reasons for it happening. Just be honest because the former principal will be phoned

If the principal is not forthcoming with a reason, how can I be honest? - I'm sure a principal will wonder as well. Can my old Principal be trusted if phoned? I'm regretting my year there and worried about future employment. I always got on with principals I have worked in the past and thought I had a good relationship with this principal.

man_no_plan

deflated17 wrote: »

If the principal is not forthcoming with a reason, how can I be honest? - I'm sure a principal will wonder as well. Can my old Principal be trusted if phoned? I'm regretting my year there and worried about future employment. I always got on with principals I have worked in the past and thought I had a good relationship with this principal.

You might raise an eyebrow if the principal wasn't listed as a referee. Other than that I wouldn't be too worried. There still seems to be plenty of jobs knocking around. I know some schools are having a hard time recruiting.

deflated17

man_no_plan wrote: »

You might raise an eyebrow if the principal wasn't listed as a referee. Other than that I wouldn't be too worried. There still seems to be plenty of jobs knocking around. I know some schools are having a hard time recruiting.

Principal is listed as referee and has sent me a reference which I've included with any applications I make. Here's hoping I get lucky in the next two/three weeks so.

Ninja_Go

deflated17 wrote: »

If the principal is not forthcoming with a reason, how can I be honest? - I'm sure a principal will wonder as well. Can my old Principal be trusted if phoned? I'm regretting my year there and worried about future employment. I always got on with principals I have worked in the past and thought I had a good relationship with this principal.

I don't think you should regret the entire year over this, perhaps the successful candidate had specialist training and scored higher on an area like that? Perhaps they have an abundance of extra curricular skills? Perhaps they have far more years experience than you? All those extra points add up and your principal will have had no choice but to hire them. It's the BOM deciding surely not just the principal.

I would definitely keep the principal as your reference as to remove them would arouse suspicion. I wouldn't bother mentioning RPT or fixed term on your cv, and if it comes up at interview just be honest and say it came down to points between yourself and another candidate, that it's disappointing but you're looking forward to a new challenge in a new school.

man_no_plan

deflated17 wrote: »

Principal is listed as referee and has sent me a reference which I've included with any applications I make. Here's hoping I get lucky in the next two/three weeks so.

Keep the head up, what's for you won't pass you.

deflated17

Thanks to everybody for replying. This seriously knocked my confidence and with the principal not giving me any information I am full of self doubt. I'm an honest person and would like to be treated with honesty both positively and negatively in order to grow as a person. I know I always do a good job and will continue to do this wherever I am. It's their loss - who knows the 'successful' candidate may not perform as well in the classroom as interview - I've seen it happen before. There was a person in the job before I started and left because they couldn't handle it - tough place to work but I loved it.

TheDriver

Principals will give little or no info because you don't know how people will react or if you are harvesting info for appeals or something else. Being honest and being quiet are two very different things. I would love to tell people info but current modern climate means I have to keep my mouth shut.

Snapgal

Oh God, reading your post is exactly reading what happened to me earlier on in the summer. I too was unsuccessful for contract renewal. I have 15 years experience of teaching languages, acted as written and oral examiner, have lots of extra curricular experience. I was in a permanent position for over 12 years but wanted to move closer to home. So sick of waiting and waiting for redeployment I handed in resignation letter and started to look for positions closer to home. Last year was successful - I actually received 3 positions but turned down one as hours were not full. Principal explained that job more than likely be permanent as teacher was retiring - took the job. Got on great with staff and students ( well so I thought) Glowing report in WSE inspection of my class. Went for reinterview- both my subjects were uadvertised. Reinterviewed for both - got none!!! I know deep down that this wasn't my fault!!!! As said got heavily involved with extra curricular including bringing a scheme next year to the school to promote a core subject I teach. Did lots tontry and promote and try to help increase grades of students as it was an area especially where there was need for improvement.
Also when I asked for feedback after both interviews was just given some time later a sheet with figures. I feel out of all my years teaching even as a permanent teacher talking to ex colleagues of mine who were part time I really felt let down by the principal- I really thought we got on well.
I just think the way teachers are treated in this county with experience as absolutely disgusting- we are human too with families to support.Like you too I am a caring very honest person who believes in equality for all and sometimes I think did that go against me? I believe also unfortunately nepotism is also very alive in small rural schools. Have secured maternity contract for next year - not really what I had expected after all my experience but principal comes across as very upfront and very good at communicating. It's in an ETB school also where I hope I can create contacts and promote myself more.

km79

TheDriver wrote: »

Principals will give little or no info because you don't know how people will react or if you are harvesting info for appeals or something else. Being honest and being quiet are two very different things. I would love to tell people info but current modern climate means I have to keep my mouth shut.

If the person applied in writing to chairperson of BOM for their written feedback are they not entitled to it under FOI act?

mtoutlemonde

TheDriver wrote: »

Principals will give little or no info because you don't know how people will react or if you are harvesting info for appeals or something else. Being honest and being quiet are two very different things. I would love to tell people info but current modern climate means I have to keep my mouth shut.

I had a lovely lady ring me with feedback after an interview both positive and negative. I really appreciated it.

Can an interview be appealed? Would it not be a waste of time i.e. the successful candidate will still be successful. It would need a lot of work to prove that the interview wasn't carried out properly etc. I thought it was only posts that could be appealed?

mtoutlemonde

km79 wrote: »

If the person applied in writing to chairperson of BOM for their written feedback are they not entitled to it under FOI act?

I think you can only get your marks.

SlinkyL

This also happened to me this year, it was devastating as I put in such a good years work and all of my departmental colleagues were as shocked as I was. It really shook me and has affected my confidence going for interviews. I also requested feedback as I was told it was all down to a bad interview, but similarly only got a score sheet with no detail. Younger, less experienced teachers who had issues during year wrt to discipline and poor coursework knowledge were rehired. Makes me feel that principals want younger, more malleable staff who will not stand up for themselves. Really makes me questions my future as a teacher and the integrity of management...

deflated17

SlinkyL wrote: »

This also happened to me this year, it was devastating as I put in such a good years work and all of my departmental colleagues were as shocked as I was. It really shook me and has affected my confidence going for interviews. I also requested feedback as I was told it was all down to a bad interview, but similarly only got a score sheet with no detail. Younger, less experienced teachers who had issues during year wrt to discipline and poor coursework knowledge were rehired. Makes me feel that principals want younger, more malleable staff who will not stand up for themselves. Really makes me questions my future as a teacher and the integrity of management...

Yes it badly damaged my confidence but have decided to move on and put it all behind me - it's not worth it - my mental health is more important than any job.

Reading this thread, I can see that it didn't just happen to me and I sympathise with you all. Our experience will stand to us in another school - just keep going. Thanks for all the replies.

Snapgal

SlinkyL wrote: »

This also happened to me this year, it was devastating as I put in such a good years work and all of my departmental colleagues were as shocked as I was. It really shook me and has affected my confidence going for interviews. I also requested feedback as I was told it was all down to a bad interview, but similarly only got a score sheet with no detail. Younger, less experienced teachers who had issues during year wrt to discipline and poor coursework knowledge were rehired. Makes me feel that principals want younger, more malleable staff who will not stand up for themselves. Really makes me questions my future as a teacher and the integrity of management...

As deflated17 said it's good to see it's happening to others but still it's so unfair, I was in a permanent position for 12 years and decided ( very hard decision after few years) to give up position as was so tired of waiting year after year for redeployment moving from east to west. Even with my 15 years experience I still did lots of extra curricular and updated my skills which I believe every teacher should do no matter what. I was bitterly disappointed and angry with no proper feedback after my year in school where worked last year as I got on with everybody but it's funny last few weeks have been hearing things not as great as they appear on the surface. Def no point in holding onto anger as only person who hurts is you and your mental health more important than any job. Have been offered a maternity leave till Christmas but here is hoping with the help of God I can secure something of my own hours - applied to one such post today. Thank you for your posts - as said it helped me to see it's not just me