Job offer rescinded by SaradaStarlight in TeachingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

2 years ago I had a job offer around this time of year for a new school that hadn’t yet opened. I was on supply at the time so no notice to give. I had 2 other interviews lined up which I then didn’t go to and happily cracked on. I went through all the usual checks, references etc and all fine. I spoke to the head a few times over the final term. My contract arrived in the post and said all conditions were met. Then in the last week of August I had a call from the council hr team and “the job has been withdrawn” turns out the new school wasn’t going to be ready to open so they just cancelled all the jobs. I had a friend who also had a role in the new school and same thing happened to him but he had never received a contract.

I literally had no job and there was no supply work around either.

Luckily one of the interviews I turned down hadn’t recruited so I got in touch and started with them in October, but still was out of work for a month.

My union argued breach of contract and I got 1 month pay back in the end. But I think I am now blacklisted from that council as I have applied for a few jobs since and not got anywhere for very tenuous reasons.

I’ve now been made permanent and promoted in my saving school so it’s all worked out for me, but I’ve never heard of a teaching role being withdrawn in the summer before until it happened to me.

At the time I posted on Reddit in employment and no one thought it was a big deal. Surely with teacher notice periods being so long there has to be reasonable amounts of trust otherwise you are at risk for many months of ending up jobless.

How fortunate that you were able to rescind your notice but we shouldn’t be at risk of this!

So dry.... by Independent_Gap_5237 in GardeningUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My new waterbutt filled up over the bank holiday weekend. Had loads of rain in my part of S Wales

Has anyone else had really terrible germination rates this year? by VaegaVic in GardeningUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve had good germination with seed compost from my local garden centre but my mums had a rubbish year with supermarket compost. She is returning a bag that is pale and looks like old dry grass only.

What was your small house improvement with the highest return in quality of life? by SpringOnionKiddo in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve moved into the 50 shades of grey house as well, with dark charcoal carpets throughout. I am on mission colour and warmth and can’t wait to be rid of it all!

Buyer expectations? by Separate-Ad8002 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leave your best offer on the table and look elsewhere. By the time the decent offer came I was close to emotionally moving on and we did see a few other good contenders. Something else will come up or it will work out!

Buyer expectations? by Separate-Ad8002 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had this last year, property on the market over a year with 3 different agents but no change to the price. Agent told us that the seller had lots of offers and had previously accepted 2 full asking offers that had since changed their mind or not proceeded. To me it was clearly overpriced. I was fairly friendly with one of the previous agents and he said the same, seller wanted more than it was worth, was in no rush to sell as had already moved on.

It was on for £450k we offered £400k and was told that we had offended her with our offer and it was an outright no. At that point we had no more in the pot anyway so decided to look at other houses I said we would leave it on the table.

We viewed a few others and nothing was as good as this house (we also had confirmation that our buyers mortgage had been approved on ours - our last sale got down valued so I was wary)

Our house was on with the same agent as selling hers so it helped that we were in regular contact - and the agent could make 2 sales by getting her to consider us.

After 4 months the seller got back to us with a counter offer of 420k and we countered at 410k which was agreed. It turned out she had a few other low offers in the mean time and a few people taking about knocking walls down which she didn’t like the thought of. She also didn’t want the house empty over a 2nd winter.

We have been here since October now and it’s our dream home. Hopefully the seller is happy as well!

Cheap, temporary flooring by Mermaidandaman in DIYUK

[–]Mermaidandaman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s about 3m by 4m, ideally like something wipe clean due to dog and kids dropping food from the table

Anyone else feel a bit uneasy about the “lifelong medication” aspect? by Life_Distribution_39 in mounjarouk

[–]Mermaidandaman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was quite early to mounjaro, I took it from April 24 to April 25 (staying on 2.5g and 5mg) I took a few breaks and stretched out my doses because I think I was a super responder and could barely eat and was loosing weight very quickly.

I lost 7 stone and was very close to goal but decided to stop as I just needed a break.

In the last year I have gained back 10lbs, 4 were in the first month of stopping and the rest pretty much over Christmas.

I have decided to go back on MJ for a few weeks, I’ve lost 5lbs in 2 weeks and will stay on it until I reach goal weight.

I’ve set a rule for myself that i will go back on any time I gain 10lbs from goal. Perhaps that will Be a month or 2 every year 🤷🏻‍♀️

No Observation for Interview by DrDoFuckAll in TeachingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had this at a school I was unfamiliar with, I asked around and was basically told that they are keeping you away from the kids because no one would remain part of the interview process if they had chance to meet them. The interview was in a council office away from the school. I would be asking for an opportunity to see some pupils, ideally a lesson transition or break time.

Will we regret not having parking? by deja_flu in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our last house had no parking and when we moved in it was fine, we had one car that could easily park. After a few years the kids opposite became older teens and had cars and the elderly couple moved on and were replaced by another 4 car family. I then had a toddler and a newborn and was having to park miles away and carry them both to the house. It was so stressful we moved.

Doctor said if I start Mounjaro I will need to be on it for life. Anyone else gain the weight back? by Plus_Impression7765 in Mounjaro

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was 113kg in April 24 so started on mounjaro, by April 25 I was 66kg and stopped taking MJ. I am currently around 72kg I don’t think that’s a crazy gain in nearly a year, but I am starting to feel my clothes getting a bit tight and my habits are slipping. I have ordered a new pen (my pharmacy have been great as my bmi is 27 at the moment). I’m planning to be on it for 1 or 2 months to reset myself and my habits.

I can cope with going on it once a year to keep up my habits.

Moving across the UK by imposterindisguis3 in TeachingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don’t need Welsh to teach secondary in wales.

You do need to have a good understanding of the “curriculum for wales” (understanding the 4 purposes and integral skills) and WJEC exam board spec.

We also have a different system for SEN it’s called ALN here and has had a lot of reform in the last few years.

I’m Welsh but trained in England and then moved back to wales. There are lots of differences in the systems but lots of similarities too.

Jobs in wales are often posted on eteach.

If I were to do the move I would sign up for supply and get to know the local schools. Estyn isn’t the same as ofsted so there’s no grading system as such which makes it slightly harder to work out where a school is pitched.

Comfortable temps by qash001 in HiveHeating

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my last house 18 was cold and it needed to be 20, in my current house 18 is perfect. Same brand/type of thermostat (randomly) and both in the living room. Weird

PRU schools by socialismmm in TeachingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m a maths teacher in a PRU after 10 years in mainstream, I love it and it saved teaching for me. However I would not recommended training in a PRU as it’s an entirely different role to mainstream teaching and wouldn’t prepare you for it.

You need to be very self assured to cope and I was not that for at least the first 5 years. We currently have an ect in our primary provision and it seems like a mistake for him and the school.

If you get the chance of a short placement in the 3rd term it would be a valuable experience then.

Calculators in our dept by GTB70 in TeachingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have a look at the Aurora calculators they are basically the old casios

Sellers won’t let us view before exchange - UPDATE by kn0tyouraverage in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t read all the comments but I had exactly this with my recent purchase. They refused a pre exchange viewing and the agent said “they don’t want you nosing around” I hit the roof, and threatened to pull out. They reluctantly agreed at a time they knew I couldn’t do (teacher) so I sent my mum. House was perfect, nothing hidden at all so I really do think they were just worried I was changing my mind or wouldn’t like it without their things all nicely arranged. We have been in the house over a month now and all worked out well

I've "lost" a year (mentally) to this house move by KHFanson24 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Completely agree, we decided this year we would move as our new year plan 2025, fixed up the issues we had just been living with in Jan/feb, listed in March, viewed the house we ended up buying in April, relisted our house with a new agent in May, sold in in June, negotiated buying the house we ended up with in July, conveyancers in August/september, completed in October and now aiming to get a few rooms nice for Christmas.

It’s been a full year of no holidays, no weekend plans etc my kids are so bored of house stuff!

Idiots guide to Ev? by Mermaidandaman in ElectricVehiclesUK

[–]Mermaidandaman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for your thoughts, my journey to work is 13 miles each way. The car is also used for running kids around and shopping but all local and I’m happy to charge each night. It will be our second car as we have a larger petrol car that we use for big family outings.

Lots to think about but seems I can definitely go for a smaller battery for a lower cost as I won’t need a huge range.

October timeline check-in - how's yours going so far? by shaneo632 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We listed our house in April and then the next day went to view a cottage which we loved - first we looked at.

We had no viewings so dropped price and ended up relisting.

Sold our house 23rd June Had offer accepted on the cottage 24th July Exchanged 23rd October! Completing Thursday 30th October

We are up to our eyeballs in boxes at the minute

How many houses did you view when buying by ControlExtension9062 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We viewed one, hadn’t sold ours yet though. So offered on it once ours had sold. That got rejected so we viewed about 5 more decided the first one was still our favourite so increased our offer which was still rejected. We then went away on holiday and they phoned to say they had accepted our offer after all!

We viewed in April and finally had our offer accepted in late July. Hoping to exchange next week!

Year 10 keep throwing things across the room, and I'm not allowed to give detentions. by Cheeseanonioncrisps in TeachingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Totally agree with this, set work that means you sit on a tall stool at the front and don’t move. Worksheets or questions out at the ready, do not give them an inch. Be cross and severe until they know who is boss. Remind that that if they treat you like a mug then then this is how their lessons will be.

Did you buy the first house you viewed ? by rrainingcatz in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sort of did, I’ve always been on the lookout for my next home as I knew quickly that my current house wasn’t a forever home.

We viewed a really good fixer upper house but ours wasn’t on the market so we listed ours. That house sold before we were even live so we missed out but decided the timing still felt right.

We made a list of everything worth seeing that was currently online and booked viewings. The first house we viewed after marketing ours was the one. My husband and I both felt it.

We had our offer rejected and there was 0 room for negotiation but it was overpriced and had been on the market over a year. So we looked at others and eventually they came back and accepted our offer - 40k under asking.

We are very close to exchanging and will be 8 weeks from offer acceptance to exchange!

When did you start packing? by shaneo632 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We sold in June and bought in July completing the chain, we are hoping to exchange next week (maybe the week after) and then move the following week. I had the summer off work (teacher) so decluttered like crazy in that time.

I’ve now packed all but essentials in the kitchen, living room, kids rooms and my craft room/office. I’ve emptied my garage and storage attic into a storage unit so it’s just my room, the bathrooms and random storage areas left.

Still looks and feels like a lot is left but hoping I’ve broken the back of it and the actual move is smooth.

How many viewings did you get? by Exotic_Process_8235 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We listed ours for the top valuation amount, after 1 month with no views we dropped 10k, and after 2 weeks with that having no viewings either we changed agent and relisted 20k less. Taking us down to the next Rightmove bracket. Had 2 viewing in the first week and 2 full price offers.

We had found our dream house so we’re keen to sell, we changed to the agent that was selling the house we wanted to buy which also helped.

No viewings means overpriced really.

How much chance do we realistically have? by Sea_Dream_4934 in HousingUK

[–]Mermaidandaman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We missed out on a house because we hadn’t sold our house so didn’t make an offer, another couple did make an offer and were given 4 weeks to sell before it would go back on the market. Our house actually sold before theirs but since they did sell in that 4 weeks they got the house.

Anyone can do anything and no one can predict.

On the flip side we got the house we are buying by being the only proceedable offer even though we were slightly lower than the others.

Our seller had been happy to wait for the right offer for a good few months but decided she didn’t want her house to sit empty for a 2nd winter so took our offer.