Hi guys,

So I have seen a huge improvement over the past 3 weeks to the point where I feel like I can think again. I have been off work since 24th November where I had a road traffic accident where the other party was at fault (driving on the wrong side of the road round a blind corner).

I am due to finally return to work on a phased return in 3 weeks and am hoping this is successful. However, I am only on a one year contract at my current job which ends end of August.

My question is this: I have to write a personal statement for all job applications for teaching jobs. I am assuming I have to mention the fact that I have been absent from my current job for that amount of time? But I have no idea how to put it in words in my statement?

What do I say? something simple like "unfortunately I sustained a head injury in a road traffic accident and was absent from xxxx to xxxx but have now successfully returned to work and enthusiastic to continue my career in teaching" ?

As well as this I am a newly qualified teacher and therefore have not and will not manage to finish my qualified teacher status this year as I have not been there long enough. How do I state that I will be an NQT until february half term at any new post? Or do I just let them work it out for themselves?

Have googled this so much and found no help at all. Thought it was worth a shot on here as i'm sure others have had to apply for things and had to mention it somehow?

Any help would be really appreciated guys! Thanks in advance for any ideas.

I wonder if you need to be so specific. Something like " I took a medical leave of absence from xxxx to yyyy due to injuries from a traffic accident. " As you say, let them fill in the spaces. The specifics of your injury are a private matter as long as you have been able to successfully return to teaching.

You can continue the rest of the personal statement as if you were never injured. Dwelling on your injury will only draw attention to it. It may also imply that you are focused on your injury and not your job. They want to hear about your teaching.

My best to you.

If it was me, I would say something like "due to injuries sustained in an MVA, I will be a NQT til Feb...." and that you are back to work now. You want to be truthful but I would be careful about how much info I disclosed. What you write now could affect your whole career.

I always have my lawyer read over any paperwork before I submit anything important. He knows how much information is enough and how to properly word an application. So that is something you might want to do as well.

How about "Due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident I was absent from 24th November to 27th March and will be an NQT until February half term. However, I am now fully recovered and excited to be returning to work to continue in my passion for teaching. "

Does that sound ok? Obviously it would continue on with all the look at what I can do stuff.

I am not dwelling on my injury but more don't want to be accused of holding back information I am supposed to disclose and am unsure of where that line is. Thanks for the ideas! I'd rather not put it in there at all to be honest.

I think the 'I am fully recovered' is saying more than you need. Simply, I was off work from xxx to yyy due to injuries sustained in a MVA. I returned to work at my passion as a teacher in yyy. The 'recovered' is understood and saying more about it only draws attention to it. IMO. If you don't make a big deal of it, it is more likely the person reading your statement will not either.

I agree that there are legal restrictions on what they can ask you about your medical details. I think if you search on those terms more (maybe "legal disclosure medical leave job application" or similar) you should be able to get some free legal advice.

Best of luck.
Julie