Ummm...sorry if you assumed I had had no contact, I only mentioned I hadn't had a contract, but I can see how you might think that implied no correspondence at all!

Anyway, contracts came through today so apologies for creating a storm in a tea cup. Thanks to all who took the time and trouble to respond to an International school newbie.

Forgot to mention that the interview took place in person and I have met both the Head of school and Principal at their school group's recruitment event (they don't use job fairs but pre-screen candidates who have applied for the available roles. Some are then invited to final stage interviews at this recruitment event).

I received an email offering the post from the Head of school which was immediately followed by an emailed attachment of the official offer letter.
I accepted the post via email (after prompting that they needed an official acceptance) and received a 'welcome to the team' email from the Head. Since then I have been emailing HR with various questions etc...which they have answered. Just nothing about the actual contract itself.
Presume this is similar to the Intent To Hire document you sign, albeit far less formal!
School is reputable and part of a large group of International schools...

Thanks for the advice. I have a feeling that the country the school is in is quite 'relaxed' when it comes to time deadlines etc.. But it is odd that other emails have received replies but not the ones about a contract...

I've just verbally (well, via email) accepted my first international school post and it has been several weeks since doing so. I still haven't seen a contract despite repeatedly asking for one.
I turned down another fantastic offer to accept this post and am getting a bit worried - is this usual practice? I am not prepared to formally resign my current role/notify kids schools etc...until I have an agreeable contract signed.
How long do you usually have to wait...or is there no 'usually'?
Thanks!

Thanks, m, that is good to know. As I hadn't actually received firm offers I couldn't cancel this time (they came through on the last day of the fair and the following Monday)

I did go to the fair and looked at the posts available and didn't see anything I liked as much as the ones for which I'd already arranged interviews. Spoke to my associate at the signup and said I didn't want to waste anyone's time by interviewing for jobs I had no interest in taking (and had declined a few interviews prior to the fair from recruiters wanting to arrange interviews). She was very understanding and said I could stay and go to school presentations and meet other international teachers if I wanted to, but otherwise it would be a good idea to go and enjoy my weekend instead!

Glad I went and I can see how a fair would be really useful if you needed to find a job quickly, especially if you are already working in some far flung region of the world and can't interview in the main cities on a regular basis. This was a Search Fair and was very well organised.

Happy to say both the other interviews resulted in offers so I have now had to make a choice - thoroughly relieved, I can tell you!

Be honest. Thank them for approaching you, comment on the positive features of their school but say that you are interested in living elsewhere/interviewing for another post or whatever your reasons are.

If it is just because you feel they are a rubbish school, perhaps a polite ' thanks, but no thanks' might suffice!

Fair is in my home town and less than half an hour on the train from my house, so don't need an airfare or hotel accommodation

Ummm..no it wouldnt be cheaper!!

That's kind of what ain't figured, although apparently there is a penalty if you pull out of this fair beyond a certain date (which has now passed!)

But I can't imagine they would penalise if an offer had already been accepted!

I have been signed up for a job Fair this weekend, but have two interviews on the table this week and a strong possibility of being offered a job.

I have never been to a job fair so am a little curious, but say I am fortunate to receive a job offer, is it worth going to the fair?

I have only applied to schools that I am really keen on, so unless there was a nasty surprise in the package, I would almost certainly accept either!!

Trying to be optimistic and plan ahead. Obviously if I don't receive an offer I'll be off to the Fair.

Is no news good news or are staff too busy /working too hard to have time to come on ISR?

Pretty new school...does anyone have any information on what it is like?

Looking for good/excellent English NC and/or IB international school in Thailand where teachers are valued and treated as professionals. Salary needs to be enough to support family.

There do not seem to be any recent reviews on this school at all. Does anyone have up to date feedback, especially now Nord Anglia have owned it for a year?
Any comments gratefully received!