References

ultimatedingbat

marybelle01 wrote: »

Yes, but it is still easy to get a weak reference. Weak is as much in the eye of the beholder as in the pen of the writer. If they haven't explained what they mean by that, it's pretty hard to say - it could just as easily mean "we rebalanced the books and realised we can't afford another teacher and this is the easiest way out of the hole we dug".

They appointed someone ( I know the person). They didn't phone till 8.45pm to give me their decision.

MissSarah1972

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

They appointed someone ( I know the person). They didn't phone till 8.45pm to give me their decision.

You could have asked on the phone?

ultimatedingbat

At the time I was very upset and on a train with weak signal

MissSarah1972

Just email them and ask if you can see a copy of it if not put in a request as previously said on here to the person who sent it.

pleasedelete

A weak reference would be one where they did not recommend you without reservation for the post.

It depends on whether they asked a series of questions or if it was an open reference (they wrote what ever they wished).

Did you specifically talk to your referee about that post before asking for a reference? Did you send them a copy of the person and job specs nd a copy of the application and letter that you sent to the school?

There is a big difference between passing a student and recommending them without reservation for a post.

I would suggest that you do not make an issue about it as word travels.

pleasedelete

ultimatedingbat wrote: »

So am I bette going to the school or to the recipient? Is tehre a formal letter I can send? This has clearly got me really worried

Do not go to either. Let it go. Sending a letter or SAR request would be highly unusual in teaching and would not go down well. You were not employed by them in the same way if you were a student.They gave you a reference as a favour. I assume that you asked them and did not just put them down. You also need to specifically ask for every job unless they say it is ok to be used as a repeat reference,

Next time think carefully about who to have as a referee and prepare them.

ultimatedingbat

pleasedelete wrote: »

Do not go to either. Let it go. Sending a letter or SAR request would be highly unusual in teaching and would not go down well. You were not employed by them in the same way if you were a student.They gave you a reference as a favour. I assume that you asked them and did not just put them down. You also need to specifically ask for every job unless they say it is ok to be used as a repeat reference,

Next time think carefully about who to have as a referee and prepare them.

They were specifically asked as they are classed as my last employer. Every job I have been for so far has asked for my last employer. They said they were prepared to be a repeat reference. I also spoke to the deputy head who is the person who has written them and she said she was happy.

This isn't a choiec of me choosing them as a reference I was told I had to provide details of my last placement as I am an NQT.

Is there not a way I can get around this. I am furious really as the placement overall was not a happy one, the school itself was not someone I want to have anything to do with but at the moment am tied to.

dandelionclock30

Yes theres a way you can get round it- you can look outside teaching for a job. With loads of candidates for NQT posts you will struggle to get a job when there are concerns raised in your reference.
Unless they have lied they are not obliged to change it and they are asked loads of questions on the pro forma that they have to answer as someone has already pointed out. They cant sidestep questions because of safeguarding etc.
Im sorry to say it but I think you are finished in this line of work, if what they say is true.Theres little you can do unless they are lying.
Schools are not interested in giving people a chance!,they want people without any issues or concerns raised about them.

ultimatedingbat

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Yes theres a way you can get round it- you can look outside teaching for a job. With loads of candidates for NQT posts you will struggle to get a job when there are concerns raised in your reference.
Unless they have lied they are not obliged to change it and they are asked loads of questions on the pro forma that they have to answer as someone has already pointed out. They cant sidestep questions because of safeguarding etc.
Im sorry to say it but I think you are finished in this line of work, if what they say is true.Theres little you can do unless they are lying.
Schools are not interested in giving people a chance!,they want people without any issues or concerns raised about them.

I am not going to look for a job outside of teaching just yet. I have only just qualified so I am not going to give up.
I am not expecting them to change my reference, however I have had excellent references in the past andwhat they have written is unfluenced by a small bump I had during my training. Somethign which happenedt o more trainees than me. Some who had worse placements who have got jobs.
I do not agree that I am finished in this line of work at all! I think that is a very put downer attitude and I am extremly offended. I don't know what they have put but I am intending to try and find out so that I can assess if they are lying, and if I am better selecting a different reference. I have a previous placement who gave me an OUTSTANDING reference.

And for reference I will be taking up the issue with it and find out what they have said, considering they have reccomended me for a pass as a very good teacher, who the course manager cameto speak to in reguards to how I had passed the placement with flying colours.

colino

I think you are expending a lot of enegy on the wrong target. A previous employer can choose whether or not to give a reference and if they do, as long as they can back up their statements, they can, apart from discriminatory/defamatory statements, say pretty much what they like about you. They can also choose to ignore questions on pre-prepared "reference requests" and it for the reader to fill in the mental blanks if they wish.
An example of part of a "good" reference demanded by a leaver was, "We were delighted on Steves much improved performance following his return to us on completion of his 26 week custodial sentence for drink driving".

In short, if they're not lying, you're wasting your time.