Help Please!

[scruffbag]

I have just accepted a job as a teaching assistant in a private primary school. My career has always been working for the local council as a TA for eighteen years. I have all the qualifications needed for this role, but I did say I had passed the O levels for English and Maths. I did take the O levels, but failed my Maths by one grade. I told a little lie!
This has never caused any problems working for the local council doing the same job, but I am worried now in case this private school checks my actual grades! What should I do or say?!
Can you help me with this please?
Thanks for listening to me x

[Zacs-Master]

You have a very simple choice. Own up and risk losing the job offer. Stay quiet and hope they don't dig too deep.

[Prudie]

Did this new school specify that you needed Maths O level and you said you had it or is it just an assumption? If the latter they probably won't check and just accept your experience. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but it's a shame that you didn't try to re-sit in the previous 18 years.

[Jackdaw33]

It's 28 years since O Levels went out of fashion. In my experience you are more qualified than the teachers.

[Maydup]

Do nothing, they will not check. Only very high security jobs check certification to that degree believe me.

[jourdain2]

A fail at O level GCE ( as long as it is just a fail- a 7?) is higher than a grade C
n todays GCSEs. I'd keep quiet.

[Smowball]

I'd keep quiet too.

[Cloverjo]

I can't imagine they'd ask to see certificates from over 28 years ago. Who would know where to find them?
I agree with the others here. Keep quiet.

[Davemano]

The first line by Prudie is most relevant, what is the answer.

[MallyJ]

Ihave never had to show any certificates except the ones that qualified me for my job..... and yes I did lie about one exam result. I was never found out. Say nothing...after all it would be hard fo find those certificates now even if you could find out the exam board you took it with. One suggetion would be to take maths at GCSE at evening class.... after all you probably want to update ypour skills as maths has changed so much since your o level course.

[Cloverjo]

I think maths exams have dumbed down a lot since then. You wouldn't be updating anything except getting a new certificate

[MallyJ]

that is exactly what I meant..getting a certificate...but actually the maths syllabus taught now is very different from the syllabus of o level maths ........

[Cloverjo]

Yes, I see what you mean, Mally. It is taught differently now.

[scruffbag]

Thanks ever so much for all your help. I will keep quiet. Xx

[thugulike]

If the maths qualification was an essential requirement to get the job then you could be dismissed if found out. If you embellished your qualifications in general then it could just be a disciplinary but not gross misconduct so no dismissal for a first offence.