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Please advise if possible. I am from N.Ireland and wish to return so much. I have applies for two jobs last school year and got interviews but no job.
I am aware that there is a blanket notion that teaching in Northern Ireland is 'dead man's shoes', but as an educated person I am unsure whether to believe this, but have not really applied for much as only two jobs in my subject have come up.
I would return to NI even if to do a few days of supply a week and earn a reasonable living. Is this possible in people's experience? I would take a gamble if I could,as frankly I am fed up living away from all my family just for work. In addition, does anyone know of how one can tarnsfer skills in N.Ireland? I would love some advise if possible
That's funny your in Suffolk too! Small world. I think if you don't just make a decision to go it won't happen and the longer we leave it the less likely we'll ever go back. I'm lucky as I've no ties so it's less of a gamble. I think I'm going to be brave after Easter and just hand in my notice. I'll hate doing it as I love my job and my school but I think I just need to. I wish you and your family the very best and hope it works out. You've got loads of varied experience in Secondary and Primary so I'm sure you'll get enough supply work to keep you going. Goodluck! Lisa.
Hi, I'm a primar teacher in NI and I was in a similar situation about 8 years ago when i graduated in England. I know primary differs from a subject s[pecific post but I personally visited the schools nearby to give out my CV - i found that getting a face to your name helped a lot. Once I got my foot in the door in a couple of places I was getting booked up quite a bit. I found personal connections a real help, and exploited these. In my school we've taken secondary trained supplies in on a daily basis so even try primary - it'd do no harm!
Hello, thanks for your message. When I decide whereabouts to live I'll definitely go around to the local schools with my CV in my hand! Do you have a permanent post at the moment? If so is it in a school you did supply in? Do you think doing supply and getting your 'foot in the door' that way helps your chances of permanent employment in N.I? It doesn't work that way in England but I'm getting the feeling it does at home!
Hello, that's unfortunate on the job front. I've started hearing it's getting more difficult to get posts in England too. Are you secondary or primary? I hope you get somewhere to do your NQT year. A lot of schools don't spend the money to advertise on the TES, especially for maternity covers etc. So look at the county council websites. There were always lots more jobs on 'Suffolk county council jobs' than there were on the TES. No luck with the jobs in NI for me. It's going to be a case of going around with my CV towards the end of next week. Scary times! I know a NQT who got quite a bit of supply in NI last year so I'm sure you'd get some if you have moved back. Goodluck.
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