It seems like you are doing everything right as far as I can tell. Its just that there is too many teachers chasing too few jobs. Also the UK is bankrupt and a large dose of austerity is all we can hope for.I don't know if I can give any useful advice other than stick with it and something will turn up.

 

Are you flexible with regard to location? If you are (and I mean worldwide flexible) you should be able to get a job.

I completely feel your disappointment and pain. I am in a very similar boat - having applied for literally over 100 jobs across Scotland, sought every opportunity I can for CPD and development opportunities, had a very good report from my school and alas this is still not good enough. I have had two interviews, both of which I had to travel a long distance to get to, then found out that the position has gone to a temporary member of staff already at the school. I am waiting to hear back from various supply lists, although the pittance of pay is hardly worth the travel and hours put in. I have now got to the point where my motivation has almost completely disappeared and the thought of applying for another temporary position on myjobs fills me with yet more feelings of disappointment and anger at the way things are for us teachers.

 It is completely disheartening.

Creeper- I'm relatively flexible though with a mortgage and relationship, I'm not 100%. Although I'm based in Glasgow, I've applied for jobs from West to East coast as well as further south. I've had work in a school where it took an hour and a half to commute one way. Maybe it is a bad idea not to be 100% flexible but I refuse to let the job dictate my life as I know that, personally, if I'm not happy where I'm living it will impact on my ability to do the job. Having spent 18 years in the countryside, I'm in no rush to leave my relationship to return.

Peppermint- Yeah, the internal politics of it all and jobs being much more "who you know"rather than "what you know" is just depressing. I'm still struggling to get any supply work. In fact, I've still not had any paperwork from East Dunbartonshire or South Lanarkshire to continue with my application. My last temporary contract gave me regular supply until my contract ended and it went to the girl who took on my days (long story involving changing the job but I wasn't aware of it until 2 months in). This is from the school that would apparently give me a job again but rather favour employing the ex-faculty head on supply as he is local and known! Very fair!! On top of this, I found that a probationer in another subject from my probation school has landed a job and the person was awful at the job to the point of still having to have lesson plans signed off by the mentor in the final term! I'm still applying for work but there are very few jobs out for my subject (Modern Studies) and I'm not wanting to box myself into ASN/SFL since it will be more difficult to get back into subject teaching and I love my subject.

I'm at the point that I've got bills to pay, I'm miserable at being unemployed and can't afford to socialise, eat properly or enjoy life. Started to look at other avenues of working with young adults like youth work and advocacy etc but it seems like such a waste of my teaching training. It is difficult to not feel like a complete failure after such hard work.

jooooo

It is difficult to not feel like a complete failure after such hard work.

The system has failed you, not the other way around.

This is a ridiculous - and unfortunately all too common a situation. Why are the Unions not highlighting this? Why are the media not up in arms about the money and talent that is going to waste. It is certainly the case that a number of authorities are employing on the basis of giving posts to those just completing probation ( to meet statistical demands from the Scottish Executive ) rather than on the basis of talent and performance.

I'm in the same boat and there are too many posts on here about the same subject unfortunately.  I have a PGCE qualification and I'm worthless :( 

[edited by: JaimeSommers at 17:30 (GMT 0) on 7-9-2011]

Very difficult if not demoralizing to be a teacher in Scotland. My advice is get a CELTA EFL qualification to add to you PGCE and go abroad until the situation improves. There are plenty opportunities abroad although it has become more competitive with many UK teacher leaving to find work abroad. Rent out your properties, arrange to pay voluntary national insurance contributions and off you go. Scotland is just a small place on the map. Be brave and get some teaching experience instead of sitting around hoping for things to improve in UK. It's maybe not on your original career plan but it's proactive and with today's technology you can see and chat with your friends and family while you are away. Scotland has failed you, other countries won't.

Good advice. I am about to do the same. I already have a CELTA from years ago and my PGDE too, so just choosing the right position to be honest. I have been relatively lucky with getting maternity posts and supply, but the elusive full time post has escaped me, and to be honest, from the colleagues I have worked with, I don't think I want one anymore tbh. Conditions are being slashed, the kids are getting more bonkers, everything is  all the teacher's fault as well, and it's October.

Myself and the girlfriend have finally called it a day as well (most drawn out termination to a relationship ever!), so nothing keeping me here except old doubts and fears.

Middle East looks good to me (avoiding any Arab Springs along the way that is.)

Chinup - there is a world out there where your qualifications are treated with the respect they deserve. Get the heck out if you can folks :o)

I must admit that my circumstances have changed and I've managed to get some long-term supply work in a school. I'm determined to get there with my teaching career in some role. 

Ahh...the good old the grass is greener on the other side of the world argument! Moving out of Scotland would be wrong for me on many levels but mainly because I refuse to give up the good things in my life outside of work for a job. Although I love teaching, I'm not about to let it dictate my life. I'm not one of these "teaching is all I ever wanted to do" types who can't see anything else. I'd already identified alternatives to try before I started my current post. 

Plus, I don't buy into the whole thing that pupils abroad are better behaved, more respectful and eager to learn. Class horrors are not a Scotland created issue! Though I'm fully supportive of any other Modern Studies/History teachers who want to move abroad and leave me with less competition 

 I have been following the thread. I am a South African qualified teacher and live and teach in Sofia, Bulgaria at a private school. There is a chronic shortage of qualified native English speaking teachers in Bulgaria at the moment. There is a demand for teachers. If you are interested in living abroad for a while, Bulgaria is a great option. I am not sure about the salaries, but definately livable as Bulgaria is not too expensive. 

jooooo

Plus, I don't buy into the whole thing that pupils abroad are better behaved, more respectful and eager to learn. Class horrors are not a Scotland created issue!

As someone who has worked overseas in locations as diverse as Scandinavia, Latin America and Middle East, believe it! Working in any half-way decent international school allows you to teach - behaviour just isn't an issue and 99.9% of the kids are fun, friendly and respectful.

tica

jooooo

Plus, I don't buy into the whole thing that pupils abroad are better behaved, more respectful and eager to learn. Class horrors are not a Scotland created issue!

As someone who has worked overseas in locations as diverse as Scandinavia, Latin America and Middle East, believe it! Working in any half-way decent international school allows you to teach - behaviour just isn't an issue and 99.9% of the kids are fun, friendly and respectful.

In my probation year I had a class who were absolutely fantastic! The main challenge from them was how to fit everything they wanted to learn and do into the time available. There were those who needed help with some aspects of the curriculum but they were all keen to do well and pushed themselves (and me and each other) to do well. Since then I have met children who are like that but never a whole class. But I know now that it does exist and how great it is to teach a class like that.

To OP, in brief: I'm 16 years into a primary career; every post i've had has been temporary contracted; in total 4 years has been spent out of work in that period; forced overseas in search of work, despite wising to stay in my home city. I've just secured a January post (another contract), though having been out of work since returning from abroad in June  - no unemployment money is available for 6 months after returning from overseas - I have spent all the money saved in the last two years of working. Hardly a stable career is it?

You are not alone and I doubt you are doing anything wrong. In my home city, depending on the post advertised, I either lacked experience or was too expensive relative to a NQT. It annoys me that those in work, including head teachers, have little idea of the reality of those not working. Employed teachers have a steady salary, practical experiences to relate to and continuous carrer development opportunities. We have none of those, yet make ourselves available to take on posts and cover work as and when they need us.  

[edited by: happygreenfrog at 10:21 (GMT 0) on 30-11-2011]