How to apply for a

Teaching Post in the Further Education and Training

Sector

CC 52 Careers Centre

“Ensure your CV is complete and avoid leaving gaps in your employment/educational history. Keep it focused on the job and what skills you can bring to the post. Essentially less rhetoric and more evidence.” Liz Voges-Scarisbrick, Head of Sociology, Law and Citizenship, King George V College, Southport “I would expect any candidate applying to teach to present a CV that demonstrates pride in presentation and attention to detail. The CV should therefore demonstrate a reasonable level of word-processing skills so that it looks attractive and well-balanced. Most importantly, the proofreading should be immaculate: punctuation, grammar and coherence should be perfect and the text should be in a formal register and succinct enough to be confined to no more than two pages of A4. “ Pam Singleton: Curriculum Leader, English Hopwood Hall College, Middleton.

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How To Apply For A Teaching Post in the Further Education and Training Sector

This guide is designed to provide you with the practical information that you need to make effective letters of application, inform you of how to address a person specification and produce high quality teaching CVs for lecturing posts. Take a look at: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/further_education_lecturer_vacancy_sources.htm Do familiarise yourself with the Edge Hill Careers Centre website www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers Login/register to use system – this is your usual Edge Hill login Go to Search our Resources, then enter Teaching in the search box - there is a wealth of careers information available to you. As an Edge Hill trainee you can access our Careers service via our Email Service from the Ask a Question link on the careers homepage, Book an Appointment online or, if you prefer, you can telephone us to book an appointment (01695 584866). You are also able to use our email service for up to three years after graduating from your course. TO SEARCH FOR A TEACHING POST VIA THE CAREERS WEBSITE Go to Careers website www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers Click on Search Opportunities on the homepage and then complete the details you require eg. Type of Work; Graduate jobs, Location; North West or preferred location. You will then see a list of the current vacancies being advertised – further filters can be applied through More Search Options (such as Education FE Teaching) to refine the list. Click on the job title and further information will be found and to how to apply etc.

There are a number of useful booklets available for you to download/view in the Resources area of our website. Click on the Search our Resources box on our homepage. www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers Teaching related booklets include the following titles:

CC 1 How to apply for a Teaching Post - (includes advice on CVs, application forms, covering letters etc)

CC 11 Interview Questions for Primary & Early Years Teachers

CC 12 Interview Questions for Secondary Teachers

CC 15 Teaching Overseas

CC 52 How to apply for a Teaching in the Further Education and Training Sector

CC 32 Interview Questions for Teachings in the Further Education and Training Sector

CC 55 Alternative Careers in Education

Don’t forget to attend any workshops that are being organised for you on obtaining your first teaching post, keep up to date with the news, and keep surfing the web – in particular checking Information for Final Year Teachers on the Careers Web Site. www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers

Good luck!

Edge Hill Careers Centre Updated September 2016

Job hunting tips Getting your first job in teaching can be quite a challenge. It is worth remembering that there are a variety of teaching and training organisations within the sector. The nature of the role, the type of learner and the pay and conditions vary. You need to have a clear idea about the type of teaching you want to do and the pay and conditions you are looking for. There may be more competition for the most attractive jobs and sometimes you need to be flexible, start a little lower down and get some experience. Although there is a nationally agreed pay scale for colleges, each college can apply its own band and you will see noticeable difference from one college to the next in the salary offered. Some jobs within the Further Education and Training sector are fixed term contracts perhaps for one or two years with the possibility of an extension. Part time work is a common way for many people to begin their FET teaching careers but you should always be on the lookout for full time opportunities. Some part time jobs are hourly paid while others are fractions of full time jobs so a 0.5 post is half a full time job. Many FET teachers have “portfolio careers” working for a number of organisations sometimes on short term contracts. Note that the term ‘lecturer’ and ‘teacher’ mean the same thing in the FET sector although the new Qualified teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) and all the new LLUK materials prefer the term teacher. When you are ready to start applying you should contact any colleges or organisations that interest you and ask if there are any part -time or full-time positions likely to be available. Colleges may have an application form for prospective teachers which they will ask you to complete. If they do not and are happy to receive a CV then this should be sent with a covering letter indicating areas of interest and preference. Colleges may keep a centralised database of teachers seeking work however many may only welcome applications for specific posts. Your placement provider may be the best place to start since they already know you. However bear in mind that they may not have any vacancies when you ask but may be happy to keep your CV on file. Vacancies are now usually advertised on the organisation’s website so it is essential to check those of interest on a regular basis. Most applications are made online.

Workers Educational Association WEA www.nw.wea.org.uk North West region address Tutors are paid on an hourly rate. Although adverts do appear in national and local press applicants wishing to be considered for teaching posts can apply directly to WEA regions for inclusion in the regions “pool” of potential course tutors. This does not however guarantee a job. Offender Learning If you are interested in working within “Offender Education” The Manchester College delivers offender learning to penal establishments and when vacancies arise they advertise posts on their college website https://careers.themanchestercollege.ac.uk/careers/vacancySearch.php You can search by sector and location, including nationwide.

Sources of vacancy information

Most FE colleges advertise on their own website and many will advertise in the Times Educational Supplement [every Friday] in the FE Focus section. Search the website www.tes.co.uk The Education Guardian [on Tuesdays] also carries adverts for FE work. Search the website www.jobs.guardian.co.uk It is worth keeping an eye on local papers in your area particularly for part time and temporary jobs. Check magazines serving your subject specialism e.g. New Scientist Website www.newscientistjobs.com Agencies are another source of potential vacancy information however you need to be aware that they do not all pay the same hourly rate so research is essential. There is a list of contact details for various Supply Agencies within the Teaching Careers area of the careers website.

SAMPLE JOB ADVERTS Lecturer in Motor Vehicle Studies Experienced motor vehicle engineers/lecturers sought to train the next generation. Hugh Baird College, Bootle Full time and Permanent Salary: up to £27,853 p.a. Lecturer of Health & Social Care To teach BTEC Levels 2 and 3 in Health & Social Care Birkenhead Sixth Form College, Wirral Full time and Fixed Term Contract Salary £21,256 to £31,111 p.a. pro rata Beauty Therapy Teacher Required to teach Beauty therapy to Level 3 / 4 including Indian head massage The college holds Learning and Skills Beacon Status. Join us and you will become part of a progressive educational establishment committed to meeting the needs of the community it serves, whilst promoting equality and celebrating diversity. Salford City College, Salford Full time and temporary - up to 12 months Salary £21,256 - £36,279 Lecturer in additional Learning Support To provide additional learning support to a wide range of students across college, on a variety of courses. Due to rapid expansion in a number of areas Riverside College is currently seeking individuals who are committed to working in an outstanding college. The College has centres across Widnes and Runcorn and is conveniently located between the cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Chester. Full time Temporary for 1 year The qualified salary scale starts at £23,256 rising to £35,178 pro rata

Methods of Applying

1. The Application form You will most likely have to complete an online application form. You should always read the instructions carefully and complete it as instructed. Avoid the temptation to just put “see attached CV” in every box on the form. This does not go down well with selection panels. Application forms do vary and may not be well-designed, but do give the selectors what they ask for – some will even ask you NOT to include a CV! Some application forms have a blank space for you to include your letter of application or personal statement. Others will instruct you to attach a letter of application alongside your application form. This is the important part of your application and it is imperative that you complete this part of the application form or attached letter of application by addressing the essential and desirable criteria - The Person Specification. References – Edge Hill should always be your first referee. You should therefore put Teaching References Department, Faculty of Education, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire. L39 4QP (email: FETeachingreferences@edgehill.ac.uk) as your first referee.

2. You & Your CV CVs are now becoming old fashioned and most of you will apply for a teaching post by completing an application form and producing a 2 page letter addressing a person specification. However, just in case you are asked for one – follow these guidelines. A CV is used to persuade an employer that you are the right person for the job. It should be designed to help you get an interview, marketing your particular strengths and what you have to offer to the school – which for the majority of the CV matches what they are looking for. The way you present your CV will say a lot about you. Utilise the space well and set out in a logical manner that markets you as a teacher first and foremost.

3. What should the CV include? Personal details name, address, telephone number/ mobile, nationality, email address. Education begin with the most recent i.e. your teaching qualification &

degree. Remember your reading audience – firstly they want to know where you are completing your teacher training and your specialist degree skills. Write a few lines about your degree course and teaching qualification – relevant dissertation, curriculum areas/interests etc.

Teaching Experience

Make the most of this section. Use it to provide information about your teaching practice so as to avoid “lists” in your letter of application e.g. subjects taught, types of schools, college experience, other teaching experience before you started the course. Again put the most recent first!

Other Work Brief details of other work experience – skills gained, duties Experience undertaken – make any links you can with experience that could

be useful e.g. management, supervisory skills, working with young people or parents, industrial skills that could be utilised for the benefit of the school etc.

Interests & This enables the organisation to learn a little more about your Other Activities personality but also gives you the opportunity to market yourself. Other Information Anything else which you wish to offer the school e.g. First Aid Additional Skills certificate, sign language, ICT skills, musical achievements etc. Referees Edge Hill University reference as stated earlier plus a second reference –

someone who knows you and can give a character reference but preferably someone who can comment on your teaching ability e.g. Edge Hill University Partnership Mentor at the organization where you have completed professional practice.

Sarah Jones ADDRESS: 108 Springfield Park TELEPHONE: 0123 346 4356 Kensington MOBILE: 07947 753951 Winfield EMAIL: joness@aol.com Cheshire CH4 7YU

EDUCATION 2012 – 2013 Edge Hill University PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and Training,

Performing Arts 2009 – 2012 Newcastle University BA Hons Dance & Drama (2.2) I have been committed to a career in performing arts teaching for a long time. Whilst undertaking my degree course I worked as a part-time dance tutor, ran drama workshops at a local secondary school and took part in dance and drama activities at Camp America.

2007 – 2008 Backfield Community College, Winfield A level’s - Music (D), Drama (B), Dance (C) 2001 – 2006 Millbank Community High School, Winfield GCSE’s – Eng, Lang (B), Maths (A), Music (B), Drama (A), History (C)

Teaching Experience February 2013 – June 2013 Blackpool & Fylde College My most recent teaching practice was at an FE college on the Lancashire coast which is a centre of vocational excellence and has achieved Beacon Status. I taught GCSE Drama, A level Dance and provided inputs into the BTEC National Performing Arts course. Active learning techniques, ICT and performance were widely used with all groups. I was also play an active part in organising the Spring Dance Festival. September 2012 – February 2013 St Helens College My first teaching practice was in a large FE College which has over 25,000 students and which is currently being redeveloped as part of a £60m project within the town.

I gained valuable experience of working with teenagers and adults on the BTEC National Certificate in Performing Arts (Performance) and the BTEC First Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting). I also helped to prepare students for the College’s Christmas Pantomine.

Other Work Experience

July 2011 – September 2012 Specialist Performing Arts Tutor Camp America I helped with the organisation and delivery of the performing arts programme for children between the ages of 11-16. June 2011 – September 2011 Youth Leader Cheshire Youth Services Working with young people aged 14-19, devising summer work activities and volunteering projects within the local community. September 2010 - July 2011 Volunteer Skelmersdale College, Skelmersdale Working as a volunteer half a day per week at a local Further Education college – helping to deliver basic Adult Education to speakers of other languages. November 2009 – April 2012 Sales Assistant, McDonald’s, Newcastle My main responsibilities were serving customers, cooking and general store cleanliness. This gave me the opportunity of dealing with a wide variety of people, which will be useful in a teaching situation as there is often a lot of wider community involvement in schools.

Interests and Other Activities

I particularly enjoy reading fictional novels, and regularly read the TES.

I am a keen swimmer and play for the local badminton team.

Full, clean driving licence.

Referees Penny PCET: Course Leader PCET c/o References Faculty of Education Edge Hill University St Helens Road Ormskirk Lancs L39 4QP

Mrs Lisa Thompson Head of Performing Arts Blackpool & Fylde College Ashfield Road Bispham Blackpool FY2 0HB Tel: 01253 352352

teachingreferences@edgehill.ac.uk Tel: 01695 650804

MARKETING YOUR UNIVERSITY PROGRAMME ON YOUR TEACHING CV

The following bullet points are an “optional extra” that you may wish to add to your lecturing C.V. to market the skills/experience you have acquired from undertaking your teaching qualification at Edge Hill.

Well qualified competent professionals who have developed a reflective approach to teaching and learning.

Newly qualified teacher with a commitment to Lifelong Learning.

Newly qualified teacher with a desire to see individuals progress positively.

Newly qualified teacher with an awareness of the diversity of the learning and skills sector

Newly qualified teacher with competences in subject knowledge, subject application, class management, assessment and recording of students’ progress, and further professional development.

Ability to work in a team and to relate to a range of professionals both within and outside the classroom context.

Ability to support teaching and learning and enhance the teacher’s professional role through the use of ICT

Flexibility and responsiveness; ability to work responsibly under pressure, and to meet targets and deadlines efficiently.

4. The Letter of Application and Opening Paragraph Your letter of application is the most important part of the application process. This is your opportunity to match yourself, your skills, experience and abilities to the requirements of the teaching post, and to persuade the selectors that you have what they are seeking for their new appointment. There is no single correct way to write a letter of application. Sometimes you will be confused by contradictory advice that you are given. However, what we give you here, is a combination of the best advice we have encountered over a number of years taking into account: - positive feedback, recruitment advice from professional personnel staff and moreover from our own successful graduates. Remember again that you are marketing yourself as a professional person. Letters should be word-processed and usually be about two sides in length. (No longer than two and a half sides)! Your opening paragraph is very important and you should state clearly the post you are applying for and where you saw it advertised. You need to sound enthusiastic and motivated and be able to demonstrate that you have researched the post/college and can comment on what specifically attracts you to this post. Make the reader want to find out more about you.

5. The Person Specification

Most organisations now use person specifications when they are recruiting new personnel. What is the difference between a job description and a person specification? A job description informs you of the day to day tasks that you as a teacher must undertake in your classroom and college/organisation. A person specification lists the skills, experiences, qualifications etc that are required for the post i.e. the candidates selected for interview must have the desired skills, experience and qualifications. When an organisation sends you a person specification, you know exactly what they are looking for and your whole letter of application must be based around this person specification. You must make sure that you address all parts of the specification, giving evidence that you have all the criteria addressed.

PERSON SPECIFICATION Post: 0.8 FTE Music & Music Technology / BTEC Music Performance Salary: £21,256 to £36,279 per annum

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Assessment Method

BROWN SMITH WHITE JONES

Essential

Appropriate related honours degree

A

Teaching Qualification (e.g. PCE)

A

Training to include experience of Year 12 and/or 13 teaching (for trainee teachers)

A

Ability to teach up to level 3 A/M

Ability to contribute to the teaching of a level 3 BTEC

A/M

Ability to motivate students will differing abilities and needs

A/I

Ability to effectively monitor student attainment and use data to improve performance

A/I

Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.

A/I

Ability to meet all deadlines A/I

A willingness to contribute to departmental enrichment activities.

A/I

A commitment to high standards of student attendance, punctuality and attainment

A/I

Desirable

Be able to contribute to the preparation of Oxbridge/Russell group candidates

A/I

Previous experience of running clubs or extra-curricular activities

A/I

Experience of participating in a team which has successfully introduced a new course

A/I& M

Methods of Assessment A = application form I = recruitment interview P = presentation T = written test M =microteach lesson

On receiving the application forms, the selectors will first look through all the forms and do an initial trawl using the person specification. The names of the candidates will go across the top of the grid and the criteria will be down the side. Your task is to make it easy for the selectors to find what they are looking for! The degree and teaching qualification should be found in the application form or CV, but also through your introduction in the letter (I am just completing my PGCE course at Edge Hill University in Further Education and Training) There should be evidence concerning all of the criteria. As long as you have clear evidence of meeting the criteria you should get ticks in the grid boxes rather than crosses. Selectors will sift through and put aside those who meet all of the criteria for further consideration. What if I do not have all of the criteria? It depends upon how much you have. If you are only missing one thing, then it may still be worthwhile applying. If there are a number of things you do not have, then it is probably best to let this one go by. Much depends on the competition against you and this is always an unknown factor. What happens if twenty people meet the criteria and the college only wants to interview six candidates? This is where the selectors will now consider your whole application i.e. - Presentation of your letter - Spelling and grammar mistakes - Your personality and strengths - What else have you got to offer the college/organisation? - Why do you want to work in this particular college/organisation? - Why are you particularly suited to this post? - How interesting is your letter – what picture of you does it give to the selectors? - Can they imagine you as a teacher in the classroom? - Do students like you?

The style and presentation of your letter will say a lot. Make sure you get it right!

6. Structure and Content of your Letter Whether you have a person specification or not - there are simple guidelines that you can follow in putting your letter together.

Make the letter as specific as you can to the post you are applying for

Match yourself to the college/organisation

Grab the attention of your readers in the opening paragraph

Make yourself an interesting candidate

Guidelines: The Letter of Application

WHO

Find out the name of the head of department and always put his/her name on your letter e.g. “Dear Mrs. White,”

WHY

State clearly in the opening paragraph why you wish to apply for the post

Example of a simple introduction I am delighted to apply for the post of Teacher in Accountancy at Bolton College as advertised on the Edge Hill Careers website this week. I am particularly interested in this post, as I am local to the area and committed to raising education standards and developing lifelong learning opportunities in the Bolton area. I have also enjoyed a brief teaching practice at the college and am committed to the ethos of the institution.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

There should be short paragraphs relating to the person specification, or any other information that you have about the post you are applying for e.g. subject specialism, experience of teaching in the area, syllabuses which you have taught, work experience i.e. anything which is mentioned in the job description

If you have very little information about the post e.g. an advert says “send in letter of application and CV for a lecturing post at an FE College”, then you should provide at least the following information: -

STRUCTURE

Introduction – what you are applying for and where you saw it advertised (sometimes colleges have more than one vacancy) Why you are applying – see above

Subject specialism – information about your subject strengths, giving details of the range of topics you could cover, teaching experience to date e.g. GCSE, BTEC, A level etc. Moreover give short examples of how you have successfully taught your subject. Give evidence of the good practice you have taken part in, be creative and innovative in your ideas. How have you motivated students to learn? How have you helped at least one student to progress through your subject teaching? Give specific examples. Let the selectors be able to get a clear picture of you in the classroom motivating students to learn! Teaching experience – add to your subject teaching experience – with any other generic experience. Give examples of the diversity of your teaching –age range, ability levels, different colleges, successful outcomes.

Create links between the experiences gained on teaching practice and how that will be helpful to the college/organisation you are applying to! Do not forget any teaching experience you had prior to your course or voluntary teaching/youth work you have/are taken/taking part in.

Work experience – must be relevant. Avoid statements such as “I believe that my previous work experience makes me a better teacher”. What does this mean? (Especially to the selector whose own work experience is solely lecturing)! Those trainees with previous work experience should market it as a positive strength but first decide how. It could be through the skills that you have acquired e.g. communication, teamwork, and previous supervisory or management skills. It could also be through making your lessons more practical, motivating your students by using real projects with local employers, economic awareness, utilising scarce resources, work experience, mini enterprise etc. Remember to market yourself not just as a teacher but also as an expert in your subject or skill.

Above all make yourself an interesting candidate! Make the college want to interview you because of what you can offer – but do it in a friendly manner. You want to come across as a friendly caring teacher who has a lot to offer, but who is also looking forward to learning a lot more in their first lecturing post.

Ending the letter – sometimes students find this difficult. Provide a courteous ending to your letter e.g.”Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon”.

CHECKING YOUR LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR A LECTURING POST

Have you addressed it to the appropriate person/department e.g. personnel? Do you mention the college/organisation by name in the first paragraph and again

at some other stage of the letter? In the opening paragraph do you state:-

- where the job was advertised - why you are applying for this particular post - why you are suitable – be specific – market yourself - make the reader want to read on

Have you given the reader information about your subject/skills strengths and

what you can offer? Is there information about your teaching practice/experience?

- use words like – happy, successful, enjoyable, be motivating, stimulating – make it sound as though you enjoy teaching and give good examples of successful teaching experiences.

Have you mentioned the students you have taught?

How have you motivated them to learn? What examples of individual support have you provided to your students?

Have you addressed all areas that the college/organisation seems particularly

concerned about from any information that you have about the post or the institution in general?

Is there a courteous/polite ending to your letter? Finally – if you were on the selection panel, would you select this candidate for an

interview… and moreover; from the letter application, would you want to be taught by this person?

and a few final points….

If you have not heard from the organisation in two weeks after the closing date, do not be afraid to ring up and check up on your application. If you have not been selected for interview, ask the organisation if they could possibly spare you a few minutes to give you some feedback on your letter. If your letter is not quite right then it is best to find out as soon as possible. Keep all of your teaching application handouts, notes and information together. Make sure you have downloaded all the information produced by the Careers Centre and that you are using the internet for information and vacancies – as provided at the beginning of this guide.

If you find that you are not getting interviews for posts or have any serious concerns about your application then do make an appointment with a careers adviser as a matter of urgency!

And finally best wishes from the Careers Centre with your teaching applications. We keep in touch with all of our teaching trainees up to six months after graduation to make sure that you have all obtained work. Our teaching graduates have an excellent job record. Please help us to maintain this information for future trainees by letting us know when you have secured your first lecturing post!

Edge Hill Careers Centre Updated September 2016

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Inclusive Learning It is Edge Hill’s aim to make our services and provision accessible to all our users. If you need us to present our information in a different format (e.g. electronic copy, large print), or need any other modifications to this publication, please contact The Careers Centre and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements. Edge Hill Careers Centre, Ground Floor, Student Information Centre. Contact Details: Tel: 01695 584866 Website; www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers Opening hours: Term-time: Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm