[Carey]

Gathering evidence for NZQA and have a couple of Q's.
1. If my degree is not related to teaching at all, do I need to have it assessed?

2. I am getting copies of all contracts from the County Council with start and end dates for past employment but do I also need to get a letter from every Head teacher with same info? Also for a description of duties, does this need to be from each school or a copy of that outlined by DFES?

[Debbie P.]

Gathering evidence for NZQA and have a couple of Q's.
1. If my degree is not related to teaching at all, do I need to have it assessed?

2. I am getting copies of all contracts from the County Council with start and end dates for past employment but do I also need to get a letter from every Head teacher with same info? Also for a description of duties, does this need to be from each school or a copy of that outlined by DFES?


Not sure about 1., although my OH did.

2. Yes, you do need letters from Heads too.

[Carey]

Letters from existing Heads at schools where I have worked or do I track down Heads who have since retired? Am I right that the letter needs to be on headed paper with my name, position held, a description of my duties and dates I held the position? Anything else? How detailed?

[speckythecky]

For NZQA you shouldn't need letters from heads. All they do is assess you qualifications in order to tell you what the equivalent is in NZ qualifications. We sent off just one letter from the current head which gave details of current roles and responsibilities but also included details of previous roles

[lockstock]

I got letters from all the heads of the schools in which I taught so I had proof of the relevent experience I claimed. Most heads had moved on but the schools keep staff records and I received replies within a couple of days. It was great to catch up with a few former colleagues too. Because I work for an LEA now my request for info is still floating around County Hall - three weeks after I sent the forms off. I sent them my letter of appointment and a payslip instead. I needed it for the Teachers' Council reg anyway. As for the degree,if you've claimed for a degree I would guess you'd need proof of it regardless of relevance to teaching subject.

[Carey]

Thanks that's clearer now!

[Carey]

Who should letter from head teachers be addressed to/written to ?

How many original copies do I ask for ? 1 for NZQA, 1 for Teachers Council...anyone else likely to ask for one?

[lockstock]

I just asked the schools to write a 'to whom it may concern letter'. Make sure you explain clearly what you want (dates, job description full time, part-time - don't forget hours) and that you don't want a reference (that confused them a bit!). You only need one original but get the copy for Teachers council certified by a solicitor or a JP. Certified copies can be expensive so shop around and make sure you don't get ripped off. A friend of ours is a JP so it didn't cost us anything.

Having said all that, I haven't heard anything yet from NZQA or TC but they would have only just received them. I sent the docs by Royal Mail 'Signed For' service and it was an interesting diversion watching the progress on the website (Royal Mail 'track your item') lovely feeling when it said your item has arrived in New Zealand.
:)
If I hear that I've done anything wrong I'll let you know.