Q. A friend in the middle of his PGCE was arrested for drink driving. He is looking for jobs but his trial is coming up and he may get a two-year ban.
How can he put a positive spin on this situation at interview? Would a gap year help?
A. If convicted of drink-driving, your friend will have to declare the conviction every time he applies for a job. However, he may not automatically be ruled out. Teachers in hard-to-staff subjects may find appointment panels take a sympathetic view, if he has done well on his PGCE course. His course tutors may help by placing him in a school looking for staff with his expertise. Doing something educational abroad may mean he can avoid the temptation to drive while disqualified, but a ban could apply overseas as well.
