Miss Hampson, don't give up.

As Bronco states on the 'crushed & desperate' post, some primary kids do not have a teacher for 75% of the their time in school, because of the use of unqualified staff. So blame the politicians who adopt the 3 monkey stance 'see nowt, say nowt and do nowt', the dishonest HT who put money before education.

We need to keep on fighting the situation, because when on average around there are 90 to 100 applicants per secondary post and for primary, this figure is 50% higher at least, there is a problem. So don't give up, apply for an extension, if you have not already got one and hope the reforms to the induction improves the situation.

2 paths which might lead to jumping off the local bridge.

1. Comparing yourself to your friends. 

2. Listening to people who think "You= "haven't you got a job yet, so and so's daughter has"

 I am very aware of the total and utter misery this leads to, which is why it seems insane to train a huge surplus, many of whom will share the destiny. Do not underestimate the damage that running into the same wall will do. You fill in form after form after form after form and get the odd interview. This is a wearing process. By all means enter into it, but don't let it destroy you.

After I left my contracted position, I gave supply and "applying for jobs" another 2 years. By the end of it, I was a mentally smashed up leper. There is nothing like seeing a load of your chums buying houses, having babies....becoming socially acceptable, whilst you languish at home wasting time on nothing and waiting for someone to have a vacancy.

The most important thing is knowing when to stop it and do something else. You are no good to anyone if your mental health starts looking shaky. Again, when you look in your wallet and see only change and it's been that way for months and meanwhile your chums say "We haven't seen you, fancy coming to the XYZ?" and talk about their ABC's which is truly and fundamentally a soul smashing experience.

There are many on here who are going through this exact process and I wish them the best luck. You can get lucky, but the art of it is knowing when to say enough.

The employment situation around here is so dire I had no option but to start my own business. I'm still skint and I can't afford a house.......but I'm getting there and I will.

 Best of luck and best of luck. S

Hi Miss Hampson

I'm in a similar situation! So many of us NQTs are. I too qualified in 2010 with a PGCE @ masters and since then have been to 10 + interviews. I would advise, don't give up. You have commited a good chunk of your life to teaching and are evidently very good at it.

I have found that a good thing to do is to register with a good several agencies, and don't be afraid to pick up a new one even if you are have already registered with many. Some schools rarely use more than one agency so getting on their books could mean getting your foot in the door at a new school. I now work one regular day per week at a certain school as a result of having attended an interview there AND being on the books of their main agency. The more contacts you can establish in the primary teaching 'world', the more your reputation will be reinforced.  

How about looking for a part-time job outside teaching, to give you some regular income and take your mind off things RE lack of teaching jobs? Then you could commit the rest of your weekdays to supply (if available!) or applying to primary posts. Showing you can apply your skills to other areas apart from teaching will go in your favour at interview, or it should! Shows your adaptable. In summer last year I was at an all-time-low; no employment, denied jobseekers. However, the fist two jobs outside of primary teaching I applied for I got. I now do part-time nannying after school hours for a local family, and work a regular day at a nursery.

It has seemed so easy for many of my friends to get jobs in primary teaching, and my (albeit older) cousin is going for a headship, so I can certianly empathise on that subject!

Remember that the government has extended NQT's 'supply allowance' to 5 years becuase 16 months is often not long enough for recently qualified teachers to gain an induction placement.

I hope my rambling helps! Keep in mind that you are not alone. All the best x x