January 2017

Reference Policy Teaching Personnel recognises the importance of securing suitable references for all our candidates. The type and level of reference information we require depends on the type of candidate and the role that they will be undertaking. We endeavour to investigate all employment and career history (including gaps in employment) to ensure we can effectively assess our candidates suitability to do their role. References for Teachers, Instructors, Cover Supervisors, Nursery Nurses and Teaching Assistants

All references should ideally be completed in the Teaching Personnel pro-forma.

The two most recent references will be taken from within the last 6 years.

References must include dates worked from and dates worked to, subject taught, age range and full address details. (Where applicable).

All candidates must have one written and one Verbal Reference to proceed to work. Verbal References will be substantiated with a request for a Written Reference within 15 days.

Must be based on educational or childcare positions of employment where possible, if not the most relevant Professional Employment References should be sought from a suitable line manager.

The following are not accepted; Personal References / Open References / Testimonials / Confirmation of Employment Dates/ Agreed References.

No school based references will be requested from personal email addresses or home addresses.

Professional References should be taken from a work based email address if possible.

References should be taken from the Head Teacher (and another senior member of staff if two references are taken from one school). If the candidate previously worked as a Head Teacher, references should be sought from the Chair of Governors and the LEA link for the School.

We do not accept references from supply teaching agencies however where relevant we will verify employment details with them.

References can only be taken where the candidate has worked at the employer for a period of at least 4 working weeks.

If the referee is from overseas, we must have full contact details including telephone number/email. If there are no contact details we are unable to process reference.

We cannot accept references from university mentors for final year students – they must be from most recent teaching practice schools.

If a candidate has worked at the same school for over 6 years, we require two referees from this school.

January 2017

If the Head Teacher has left the educational establishment where the candidate has worked and is working at another school we must take this this reference and where possible another reference from a senior member at the original school.

If the school has closed down and we do need to seek references from senior staff now working at another school, we must seek confirmation from the LEA / HR that the member of staff did work at the original school before taking the reference.

A candidate must receive two satisfactory references to go ‘online’.

All gaps in career history must be recorded and investigated at interview. Where necessary, candidates may be asked to provide evidence relating to gaps in employment.

References for Trainee Teaching Assistants

All references should ideally be completed in the Teaching Personnel pro-forma.

Need two Professional or Character References to proceed to online (in addition to all other standard vetting checks).

Character References must be from someone who has known the candidate for more than two years and not a relative. If the candidate has been employed in the last 6 years then the most recent relevant employers should be approached for a Professional Reference if they meet the criteria for a Professional Reference.

If the candidate has any relevant childcare experience or voluntary work experience in schools / childcare then these should be fully explored and referenced where appropriate.

All Character References must be written.

The interview process is used to assess the skills, characteristics, attributes of this candidate to determine suitability for work as a Teaching Assistant.