JSA - supply teacher not wanting to teach

zombiependle

Hi. I am in a bit of dilemma. I have been a supply teacher for the last few years but don't want to do it any more. I am worn out, fed up of being hurt -  as I specialise in SEND and constantly been put in a behaviour class. I am aware I could teach in mainstream but quite honestly after 32 years of teaching I have had enough. I am a few years from retirement and not quite able to give up having a purpose to get up in the morning. Anyway to the point - a friend said I could apply for JSA as I am now looking for work. I have completed the online form but frankly I am at a loss of what to say when they call me for an interview. Looking at my qualifications and experience are they just going to say I need to stay on supply? I would like to make a total career change and work at B and Q or Asda or some such role. Has anyone any advice on how what to say to convey this at a JSA interview? thanks

Brie

My experience of those at the job centre is they generally don't have a clue about what qualifies someone to do any particular job.  I have a degree in English and so was told to get a teaching job.  I mentioned I don't have a teaching qualification and was looked at blankly as the person had no idea that might be required.  Hopefully you'll get someone equally clueless. 

Frankly I don't think they really care as long as you are applying and getting interviews.  Had lots of friends coming out of big financial firms who happily got into jobs at Tescos so you've got a great chance of getting something different as you like.

theoretica

Do you feel teaching is affecting you enough to talk to your doctor about it?  A fit note that you are fit to do other work, but not teaching, or not SEND teaching, might be useful. 

LinLui

Nobody can tell you for sure - but I think if you are really trying to get work (any work) they have better things to do than bother you! I'd tell them the truth, then you don't have to recall any lies. You can't face teaching any longer,  but you'll do anything.

That said,  bear in mind that the greatest needs in most places are in care work. Which might you be "out of the frying  pan.." So think about strategies for finding work and how to explain them. 

HampshireH

Are you applying for roles as supermarkets etc?

Just wondering why you are applying for JSA when you could transition from one role to another without the need for JSA.

huckster

You need to think what you can do. I have seen quite a few ex teachers get jobs with local Council Authorities, where there are a number of jobs, where there are transferable skills for.  E.g. Community learning skills courses tutors.
 
Also some go into private sector roles as internal course trainers or to help with improving quality of communications. 

And what about  Civil Service Government jobs on the Civil Service Jobs website.  These jobs can take awhile to go through recruitment and pre employment checks. There is an agency Brook Street that handles temporary jobs in Government departments, so worth checking.

DigForVictory

Definitely look at civil service jobs - your teaching background will slot into a lot of their competencies/application systems. Not very quickly though, but a current colleague came to us from working as an amazon delivery driver after a previous career burned out.