London Town

  When I first moved to London everything seemed so far away and big and impossible. These last few days in and around London I am struck by just how little it is. I guess living in such a fast continent for a bit has allowed me to see it that way. I love being able to jump on a bus, to pop on a train and amble to a tube. 

My weekend was lovely, out to the pictures with Edgar to see a very good film, that was a hard watch but very well done. Called 'The Son.' We had a Greek meal in a lovely pub with an
18th birthday party above and traditional live music in the next room. So loud but delicious. 

My Sunday morning started with a dog walk with Phil and then a tube to South Kensington to head to the science museum with my pal Sharon and her not so new man and his nephew, Sharon and I mainly chatted and did not really worry about any of the display, we had a lovely meal later that day, Lebanese this time. The weather is warming up and the sun shone and it was almost too warm for a coat and I have been enjoying walking about and not needing a hat and gloves during the day. 

On Monday I did more prep for my known interview and found out that I had been invited to another one - one I wanted more and annoyingly they overlapped - a good chat with BigA, who was at the lake, and I felt like I had something of a plan. I had to then sort out 2 lessons to teach and do more research on the second school. I was also Whatsapp by an executive head to say I had been shortlisted for another job interview on Monday. Roll onto Tuesday and I was spending most of my time on the job in Chingford, a few tears and a sense of uncertainty and a couple of calls to BigA and I decided not to go to the first interview in Barnet. I felt it unfair and not right to go through a day when I knew I was 90% sure I wouldn't stay for the second day, even if I was offered it. So after another good cry and some good logic from my hubby I sent an email to decline the interview. I'll never know if that was the right thing to do but there you go, done. So I had an extra day to prep and I felt so much better. What I've enjoyed about my role at SAIntS is the chance to shape learning to move the school forward, that's where my passion lies. As you know by now, I didn't get it but I did enjoy the day a lot more than my first one. 
This day had the following:
  • meeting with Head for all candidates
  • learning walk
  • goldfish bowl - 6 statements and discussions - 8 mins for each one 
  • T&L interview 4 questions 
  • Behavioural interview 4 questions 
  • Leadership interview 4 questions 
  • taught a 15 min (not enough time) lesson 
  • Action plan based on information given
  • 10 priorities things list with write up of 3 of them in detail
  • give feedback to a teacher who is underperforming in lesson
and then, while in Waitrose I got the call to say I hadn't been successful. Nice feedback in some ways but still disappointing to not get through to day 2, I'm sure by then they have decided who they want - and the second day is more about double checking. So back to Edgar's and a bit of a cry and then I called BigA. sent various messages and watched a bit of TV. Just before bed I checked my email - a habit I shouldn't do but on this occasion it was worth it because I had an email from Patrick Crozier from Highgate Wood inviting me to an interview on Tuesday. So I fell asleep knowing I had one more chance - this time. I haven't applied for anything else and I haven't tried to get into any more schools. So no matter what I will return to my little family on Thursday which I am very much looking forward to. A says she is prepared for how clingy I'm going to be. She had a lovely time by the lake BTW and enjoyed the relative freedom, although BigA was just a few lodges up the beach. 

On Friday, having another unexpected free day I saw old friends and bought myself proper chip shop chips for my lunch and went to drink champagne with other pals. I feel this is a good way to mend a slightly broken heart and diminished confidence. Edgar told me too that when he showed Dan (my brother in law) that a reason given for not getting through was lack of assertiveness, that he rolled his eyes. I don't think there is a person who has known me for any real length of time who could imagine me not asserting myself when necessary, including it would seem Dan. But hey ho... on I go. 

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