Filling out a Form
Story posted: Dec 31, 2004, 12:29Email this article
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Some forms will be designed specifically for a first teaching appointment, many will not. You need to use your initiative when completing each form, writing N/A (Not Applicable) in answer to questions which are clearly inappropriate to your situation e.g. 'Previous Teaching Posts'.
Much of the form is straightforward - the critical part is the section which asks you to write 'any further information you may wish to give' (this is in essence a 'letter of application'). This is the part on which the decision is mainly made about whether or not to invite you for an interview, so you need to give plenty of time and thought to this.
Some suggestions: -
- Read the form and job description very carefully, before you write anything.
- Photocopy the blank form several times, so you can do several 'dry runs'.
- Use black ink as it photocopies well.
- Use the form fully, putting all your information into the sections provided.
LEAs and schools do not welcome lots of extra attachments, so what you write here will, in effect, become your CV. It is not useful to send a CV with an application form - there is unnecessary duplication. - Handwritten or typed? - There is no absolute on this. LEAs and Headteachers do like to see some example of your handwriting - so provide this somewhere.
e.g. Handwrite form and type the 'letter of application' section. (You could word process this on a separate sheet and then stick it carefully on to the form, if there is sufficient space)
Or
Type form - Handwrite the 'letter of application' section
Or
Handwrite a short covering letter - Type all of the form
Or
Handwrite everything.
Presentation - this needs to be excellent. First impressions are all important. Have a dry run on one of your photocopied forms to practise spacing and legibility. Check your spelling over and over... Forms are rejected frequently on the basis of poor legibility and spelling errors, especially when there are many applicants. It is often helpful if someone else reads through your form - they can often spot mistakes that you can't see.
Photocopy - your completed form and keep the copy safe. It is useful to read it through before attending for interview and it will help with subsequent applications.
Covering Letter - you may like to write a short letter to send with your form. In the case of a form which has already asked you to 'give any further information you'd like to give' i.e. 'the letter of application', this covering letter isn't essential. It would just be a courtesy letter attached to the front of the form, written in your own hand inviting the reader to read further.
Use
- Good quality, unlined writing paper
- Black ink
- Clear and balanced layout
Specific Parts of the Application Form
Education
Give the name of the institution and your exact course title. You will often be asked to describe your course content and if there is room it may be worth doing this in some detail. Remember to include details of any special features of your course where appropriate, e.g. multi-ethnic education and urban issues when applying to a metropolitan area.
Employment
Both full and part-time employment should be included, together with vacation and voluntary work if there is enough space. It is also a good idea to give some indication of what your duties/responsibilities were or what skills you had acquired.
It is important that you emphasise the relevance of any previous work experience to your work as a teacher, not only to strengthen your application but also it may help you to negotiate salary increments above the normal starting points.
Interests
This section is important as it provides interviews with a basis for discussion when trying to assess you as a person as well as a potential teacher, although it becomes a bit less important if you are a mature student with a good deal of relevant work experience. Your interests should therefore be described in some detail e.g. items such as reading, football, music should be expanded upon - what type of literature do you enjoy? (Books on sailing, the daily papers?) Do you watch football on TV or play in a team? What types of music interest you and are you a spectator or performer? It is particularly important to mention any interests relevant to teaching e.g. participation in games, youth clubs, church work or using computers and skills that might be useful e.g. craft work, musical ability, first aid or life saving certificates.
References
All applications ask for references.
The first referee for a Newly Qualifying Teacher should come from the qualifying institution. The reference should comment on your academic record and your teaching practice report.
The second referee needs to be someone who knows you well as a teacher in a work environment, and who will provide a positive and articulate reference. Ask them first.
You could use the Headteacher of a recent teaching practice school; however there is overlap here into your first reference. Some of your college reference will contain comments from your teaching practice report, which will have been partly written by the Headteacher. You could also use your teaching practice supervisor.
Personal references from family friends or professionals other than teachers do not particularly impress many organisations.
Further Information< BR>
Forms may vary in the amount of space provided for you to write about yourself from a few lines to a whole page of 'Any other information relevant to your application'.
Some forms request that you use the allotted space, others are happy for you to attach an A4 sheet instead. Look at writing your letter of application for help.
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