Can't decide what to do about returning to teach - some questions

[Moomin]

I've taught at my current school (secondary) for 8 years, have been 2nd in dept, acting head of dept when full time. Aftr having dd1 I worked 3 days pw but still had management points pro rata. The school is 20 miles away and is a pain to drive to but was always worth it as I really liked the school and staff. plus the money was good for part-time.

However, have just had dd2 and am on maternity leave. should be going back at end of march but am taking extended mat lave until after may half term and will just go back 2 days a week until the end of the summer term. The plan is to go back in sept 3 days a week in order to 'pay back' my maternity benefits which will have been done by xmas and if i can't bear all the hassle and travelling, look for something closer to home for January.

The thing is, I'm DREADING the going back 3 days in Sept and think it will be far more hassle than it's worth. Now I don't know what to do - look for a job closer to home now, to start in sept and pay back the maternity pay (do they make you pay it back all in one go?) or just grin and bear it until xmas? I've seen a job already that i fancy - it's full time but could always apply and ask for part-time consideration.

I have to say I was dreading going back to work after dd1 but i was fine after a bit. This time though it's not so much the actual working than the travelling with 2 kids to leave at the childminder's and dd1 starts school in sept so would like to be closer to her. another question too - i am secondary trained - could i do primary supply? (as supply is another option to keep the money coming in)

[Moomin]

bump anyone?

[spykid]

Yes, moomin, you could do primary supply. I do (although I am primary trained) and I know of people who have done exactly that.

I think it is easy to go back t a job that you know and get stuck there after maternity leave. September jobs should start to pop up in the next few months, so couldn't you work for the same authority but closer to home. That way you could still do your owed time?

[gladbag]

For me, the trouble with supply is that, on the whole, it's a lastminute arrangement and that plays havoc with childcare arrangements. You either have to have childcare in place, and be paying for it whether you get supply work or not, or have exceptionally flexible childcare that can be organised for the day after the 7.30am supply phonecall. I haven't solved that problem yet.

If you got a job within the same LEA, or even a different one sometimes, I don't think you'll have to pay back the maternity, as long as there hasn't been a break over the 12 month period (6 months initial maternity, then 6 months discretionary). HTH

[Cadbury]

I never went back after my maternity leave, and they never asked me to pay it back either! That was 5 years ago - should I expect the heavies to knock on my door or something? I have moved away from the area since then but the lea and school had my new details and they still haven't tried to contact me.

[spykid]

Maybe I have been lucky but I find with supply that a lot of schools want regular work. This means you can pre arrange child care. At the moment I am doing sats booster groups, NQT release aand a 1 day job share. This totals 2 1/2 days a week and my days are fixed.
Its worth contacting schools and asking about PPA cover too.

[geogteach]

Could you not go back 3 days a week at half term, that should cover the notice (13 weeks), the holidays are included. I did exactly this last year. Not sure about supply my impression (could be wrong) is that there isn't that much in secondary as they use cover supervisors. I gave up when DS1 started school in September, after my 3rd maternity leave, I had worked 3 days a week up until then. I quite fancy 1 day a week now but not really sure that exists in secondary.

[Moomin]

I really don't fancy 3 days pw even though it would only be for 6 weeks - mainly because my childminder can't have the baby until Sept so I'm having to use two childminders for that half term. I'm going to have to leave the house at the crack of dawn, drive half a mile to drop the baby off, drive another mile to drop dd1 off (her childminder does the school run) and then try to get onto the motorway before the rush starts in order to be at school for 8.40!! I've worked out I'll be leaving the house at about 7.20 + [nightmare emoticon]. The only alternative I have is to ask my MIL to come over one day a week for the 6 weeks but it's a big ask. I spose I could try...

The other problem is that my current school is right on the border of a big metropolitan education authority. the authority I'd be working in closer to home is on that border so there would be no point to me staying with the city authority as it would be just as far away as I am now.

I guess if I do my 6 weeks and holiday at 2 days a week there won't be a HUGE amount to pay back so it's do-able i spose. I've already had to agree to certain days from Sept as well to fit in with my childminder having both girls and chaning the childminder isn't an option as a) dd1 is so happy and settles there b) she really is excellent c) it's near to home and to dd1's school for the before and after school runs.

The fixed days is a pain though as it restricts what I can offer a school for a long-term job. It looks more and more as if I'll be stuck with supply whatever I do. An idea a headteacher mate of mine suggested is that I send my cv to all high schools that I know I wouldn't mind working in/travelling to just to see what they might have to offer. I also need to get my police clearance sorted as it doesn't cover the authority I live in. I guess i should do that soon so it's out of the way.

God I'm so confused about what to do!

[Rowlers]

Feel no obligation to your current school at all.
Unfortunately, however dedicated we are, we are all easily replacable.
Do what you want to do.
I think your friend is right - write letters and do so now to see what's around. You'll never know what's until you try. I wish I had done this but felt quite scared by the thought of change after having DD, I just wanted some normality but looking back the change, and a schoool closer to home would have done me good.
I would have thought your school would not ask you to pay back mat pay if you do 2 days a week from Summer half term until end of term and include hols. Unless they have a huge budget problem. And they are really mean.