Why Reference Checks Matter

In the quest to assemble a team that not only excels but also harmonises with your school’s ethos, reference checks stand as a critical step in the recruitment process. We delve into this practice with the understanding that it’s not merely a formality, but an opportunity to invaluable insights that resumes and interviews alone cannot discover.

Unveiling the Unseen

Reference checks serve as a lens into a candidate’s past professional landscape, offering a viewpoint of their work ethic, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities. It’s an opportunity to corroborate the narratives presented to you and to discern the subtleties of a candidate’s character.

Questions That Uncover

Developing a template for your use is a great first step. A template should encompasses a spectrum of queries that range from verifying the candidate’s responsibilities to assessing their potential as an effective educator. With some editing to make it specialised for specific roles, it provides the opportunity to inquire about a candidate’s ability to withstand pressure, their communication prowess, and their aptitude for teamwork. It can also be used to delve deeper, probing into their suitability for the teaching profession and their adherence to child protection principles.

Beyond the Surface

A reference check is your due diligence, a safeguard against the perils of a hasty hire. By ensuring reference checks are including in your recruitment process you can mitigate risks and ensure that your final decision is informed and confident.

A Reflection of Values

The thoroughness of your reference checks reflects your dedication to hiring a candidate that will be the right fit for your school community.

Are you ready to start looking for education employment opportunities? Discover rewarding teaching jobs or leadership positions through our recruitment portal. You may also be interested in reading Teaching as a Career, Teaching in Independent Schools or Why become a teacher?