Recruiting staff for schools through Eteach

Hello, I’m David McGahey and I’m the Managing Director of Eteach.

I’m responsible for the future development of our company and its services, for relationships with our many friends and partners in the Education world, and for the bids we make from time to time for recruitment contracts with local and national government.

I have long believed that if only the process of recruiting staff to schools could be improved to secure the best possible match of candidates to vacancies, then that would have an enormously beneficial impact on the quality of teaching and learning.

I have come increasingly to the conclusion that recruiting online is the way to achieve this. Education is behind the curve in this regard – in other sectors, including within the public sector, recruitment takes place almost exclusively via the web. The facility and efficiency of so doing is obvious. Less so, but more powerful, is the ability of online recruitment to secure the best match of job seeker and job vacancy – through sophisticated techniques of profiling and screening, and through the interconnection of social and professional networks. All of this is very exciting and seems set to keep us at Eteach very busy now and into the future.

So, what am I looking to get out of this blog. I will from time to time post my views and thoughts about the latest developments in Education recruitment. Next week, for instance, I will write about the DCSF’s proposed national Shared Recruitment Service for Schools. Moreso, however, I look forward to reading your thoughts and suggestions about how together we might improve recruitment to schools and colleges for the ultimate benefit of learners.

NQT’s- looking for your first teaching post? Find your first job with Eteach.com

NQT’s- looking for your first teaching post? Find your first job with Eteach.com. It can be daunting as well as being an exciting time when searching for your first teaching post. When you become an NQT and you’ve completed your studies, the world is your oyster.... Many of you will go into teaching straightaway, some of you may further your experience by travelling overseas. At some stage you’ll be job hunting. Here is some advice from a fellow teacher job hunter. If you have any more tips you’d like to share with your fellow colleagues let us know! The research....

• Do your homework! Explore teaching opportunities online. Register online with eteach and use our education job search tool to find your ideal job and location and to find out more about the prospective employer online e.g. about the school, inspection report, area information and location

• You’ve worked this hard to become a teacher however it's a competitive market out there... Be flexible when job hunting- don’t narrow your options by sticking to a specific geographical location.... be prepared to commute and potentially move house, choosing the right job could benefit your career in the long term. Be realistic and don’t put all your eggs in one basket- apply for several roles and widen your options.

• Your CV - Your Brand – what are your unique selling points? Your education, experience, skills and any relevant extracurricular activities which will contribute to the school community... ability to play a musical instrument, swimming coaching certificate, foreign language skills etc . Your NQT application...

• Select suitable referees e.g. your college tutor and your head teacher from one of your school placements

• Relate your supporting statement directly to person specification for each individual job, don't send generic supporting statements. Highlight your skills, experience and abilities...but most important sell yourself!

• Check if the school or Local Authority you plan to work with operates an NQT primary/secondary pool application system. Did you know Eteach manages a number of NQT application pools... using online systems, Eteach streamlines the application process for recruiters and candidates. Preparing for your Interview

• Planning and preparation is the key to being offered the teaching job of your dreams. Prepare model answers to likely questions connected to planning and assessment, target setting and communicating with parents. Prepare a few questions of your own to ask at the end of the interview. For example, find out more about school policies including equal opportunities, behaviour policies, gifted and talented, inclusive education and find out how the school delivers the Every Child Matters agenda..

• Find out what continual professional development is on offer... as an NQT you will be entitled to full induction support to enable you to gain QTS. Find out how a prospective school or Local Authority will deliver an NQT Induction programme. Achieving your teaching qualification is just the beginning of your professional development. Like any member of the school workforce, it's important to keep learning to develop your career.....

Most importantly, sign up to http://www.eteach.com/ job alerts. Let the jobs come and find you. You can manage the number your recieve. Simply register with eteach and let eteach job alerts do the work for you. It will save you time, increase your efficency in your search and target your search more specifically.

Good luck

Collin

Teaching at home: “Enjoying days at home” in response to The Times

Teaching at home: “Enjoying days at home” in response to The Times

Teaching children at home? Is it right or wrong...or does it matter?

Education is something I am so passionate and proud to be involved in. It is important that children, young adults and grownups are educated and given the opportunities to continue to develop and learn throughout their life both academically and socially.

I was reading in The Times online today about a teacher who opted for her children to learn at home after they had been unhappy at school (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article5548877.ece).

My instant thoughts were “is teaching at home the answer?”

For some it is the only alternative though I would have missed the friends I made at school who have been with me all my life. It isn’t just about the academic element, passing the exams and getting the qualifications. Schools are a place for children to learn to become themselves. Social interaction is key in child development, working in a team and competing against each other is healthy way of growing up. There will be times when children will be faced with conflict in thoughts and opinions, but this again is a life experience we all face. Schools provide a platform for character building, where they can develop on their strengths as well as areas for improvement. I’d be interested to hear what your views are on children being taught at home and school?