I went for lunch with a group of ladies who used to work with me today (which is definately not a moan as it was lovely!!) but during the course of conversation I maentioned that I had applied at one ladies childs school for the TA post going there. I was gobsmacked by her reply (and angry too) as it transpired that a Mum with no qualifications got the job!! Why did I get an Interview (yes I know deep down they have to follow protocol) and why have I bothered to get the qualifications when I am put down over someone with no qualifications! I was told I did a good Interview. The Head has moved on too so suppose could apply next time as new head may have different Ideas. Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks for letting me rant and get off my chest.

It hasn't happened to me but i can imagine how annoying it is when you've worked so hard to get your qualifications. Their loss Flear and another schools gain, just keep trying

Fleur, sometimes it's a case of 'who you know' not 'what you know' unfortunately. Very annoying, believe me, I know! Keep trying, sounds like you give a good interview. As Niki said, it's their loss... no consolation I know but don't get disheartened, the job for you is out there! Good luck!

I can only echo what Niki and Dinny have said, it is very frustrating, don't let it dampen your spirits tho Fleur.

It really is their loss especially if she has no experience or real qualifications.

,poor you ,you must be devastated

sorry to hear that Fleur
there loss and you will get a job in a better school just keep your chin up my cocktail buddie

Fleur........hang in there.....you WILL get there

grrrrr!! bet you were furious

Thanks so much for your lovely comments! I was just mad that I (and surely others too )were not really seen as potential employees as probably already decided. They had asked for level 2 TA's too!!As you all say their loss. Will keep looking and have promotion to Head Dinner Lady to contend with in the meantime!!!! (Plus level 3 course, so will be on forum lots, but not playground so often methinks!!) Off to club tropicana for Cocktail, anyone want to join me? See you there Teebee!

I bet you were mad! Yes, I have heard of it happening before as well. I don't understand the logic of interviews, most the jobs I know about recently I can't understand why they have appointed various people for the posts.

Yes it's happened to me on numerous occassions. The excuse HT's give is that the parent as worked at the school a number of years, blah, blah, blah.
I find it disheartening and wonder why I've put myself through all the training. And no I haven't any children of my own (that's another excuse they HT give). The best thing about it is that when the parent is asked to do any training they moan about it saying they haven't got the time to give, they have kids to look after, why should they go to college in the evening etc.
I'm not having a go at the parents, good of em for getting the position. What really get's to me, same as you Fleur, is when people like me go for an interview and they've already picked the person they want and are just going through the motions. I've gotten so fed up with it that I mentioned this at a recent interview and the HT assured me that all of the candidates were not known to them at all.
I don't think the new regulations, were positions can only be given to appropraitely qualified people, will stop this happening.

Another job I applied for was for working with a child with hearing probs (didn't occur to me I would know the child at the time) Well my Daughter has hearing defect so have personal experience, but didn't get an interview. Only when "Mum" of said child mentoined that the TA they employed had hearing defect too and she was worried how that would im pact on her child if neither of them heard what was happening,did I realise they may not have taken my experiance into account! As you say Star you wonder why they employ the people they do sometimes.
Good luck to you Cazzie and hope The job comes along soon!

Good news Fleur is that I went for an interview last week and even though they didn't give me the position I originally went for (working -ne-to-one with a little girl with speach/language difficulties) they offered me another one-to-one. The orginal job was full-time, which i have never had the pleasure of achieving, with a good salary. The one they have offered me is 2 hrs per day - 5 days a week. I feel like I've sunk right to the bottom and will have to work b*@"dy hard ( sorry!) to get back to where I used to be. I'm not averse to hard work, I used to work from 7:30 all the way through to 6pm doing breakfdast club, TA work, dinnertime then after school, sometime with only half an hours break, just like the majority of TA's in the workplace. But like everyone else, I just wish someone would give me a break!
Sorry for going off on one, feeling in 'self-pity' mode today must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed
I really do appreciate the lucky break I've been given. Some people don't even have that much luck but sometimes life sucks!

Poor you Cazzie. I hope that this job is just the stepping stone to where you want to be! It's good to get these things off your chest, and having a supportive place to do that like on this forum really helps! Good luck!

Thanks fleur. Feel like a right moanie ol'bag for my blog this morning . Aahh, well probable feel better when I've had a few days at work.