The key to finding the right job is not to settle for the
first thing that comes up. People have a habit of
panicking around Easter if they haven't got a job. Don't.
There will always be someone who gets a job really early
on in the year - I think one of our students got a job in
November - but it's more important to get the right job
than it is to get just any job.
The best place to look for jobs is in The Times
Educational Supplement) which is published each
Thursday. It also has a website that is updated regularly,
www.tes.co.uk. All major papers have an education
section with jobs advertised - the Guardian is
particularly good and has a companion website,
www.jobs.guardian.co.uk.This makes it quick and easy
to see what's on offer.
When looking for a job the first thing most people
focus on is the location. Pick a city or town that you
want to live in, then get a map and circle how far you are
willing to travel. This will give you a number of places
within your travelling distance.
After finding a school where you want to live, look at
what sort of school it is - is it inner city or rural? These
schools are very different. Inner-city schools will usually be
multicultural and have a large catchment area, rural schools
are more often than not predominantly white British.
Next, check out the school:
o Look at its website.
o What are the grades like?
o Look at its Ofsted report by checking the government
website, www.ofsted.gov.uk
Check out the catchment area:
o Go to the school when the final bell rings. What are
the pupils like coming out - loud and hyperactive,
or friendly?
o Watch them around the streets. Go and buy a packet
of crisps at the local shop they go into - what are they
like with members of the public?
o Even ask the shopkeeper what the children are like.