Failed 1st term NQT having trouble getting an agency

[coolpaprika]

I had a hard time in my first post. Working 3 days a week teaching, 2 days mentoring.
I was brought in by the head who hadn't told my HOD that she'd taken anyone on. Problem to start with!
This caused me some hassle as he constantly compared me to the supply teacher they'd had last year. She was covering long-term sickness and he wanted to keep her on a permament contract.
He was constantly niggling about my experience - not the same as his - and he told the head he'd done an observation which was unstatisfactory. After that I was observed every week by 4 different people. Him, the head, the smt in charge of nqts and his line manager. This didn't help as the feed back was different from each one and I couldn't really develop my own style.
Should I mention that I'm 54 and did my PGCE last year as my children are older.
I was on termly contracts and had enough least term so I let the head know that I'd decline if she offered me another term. She said I'd
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e the right decision! Enouraging. LOL
Now I've tried to sign onto agencies. I has sent my info to their central auditor and the other said the reference from my last school wasn't satisfactory for them so didn't give me an interview.
I feel like going and connecting my fist with his nose with all the force I can muster.
Should I carry on trying to find an agency who'll take me on?
If my reference gives agencies concern will it be any different when I apply for jobs?
Should I do somehting about it? & if so what?
Thanks for reading this, any help out there will be enormously appreciated.
It's especially galling as I teach D&T & I know they're
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ing out for teachers.

[Gnomoospan]

I thought it was illegal to write bad references? Poor you, I should take this further though.

[NuttySupplier]

Hi,

I've heard they're
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ing out for them too!

I'm sure, like G'span, that a bad reference is illegal, you're supposed to state the positive only about the person... but there's always those unofficial phone calls behind closed doors.

I'd keep trying. I've actually worked in 15 schools in my county, through simply taking my CV along and introducing myself to whoever took the CV from me at reception. None of them have checked a reference, and indeed it wasn't 'til I taught in #13 that I got asked for my CRB certificate!

I've now fallen into a contract with one school, and have been offered whatever hours I want from them... and this is all without checking references... they get you in for a day to see how you are, and ask you back if they liked what you did!

Hang on in there, and good luck with it!