AIBU to NOT apply- WWYD?

[RainboweBrite]

Ok, here goes-
I am a primary teacher, currently doing (very) occasional supply.
Thankfully, I am not desperate for money, as we have enough for essentials and a few little treats, but I was thinking of applying for a temporary part-time Teaching Assistant job, working 4 mornings and 1 afternoon a week. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a Teaching Assistant and really enjoyed it.
However, my heart isn't really in it; what I really want is a part-time teaching job, but these are like gold dust. However, I think I would enjoy it from January to July, the period it's for initially.
Also, I don't drive and I'd need to get either 2 or 3 buses to get there and back, and to be honest, buses aren't that reliable in my area. The journey is estimated to take between an hour and a quarter and an hour and three quarters, according to traveline.
I have looked into how much my net pay would be, using an online PAYE calculator, and presuming it's accurate, I would earn between £90 and £105 per week, after travel and childcare costs.
It would be good to have an extra £100 a week, but I can manage without it, and when I think of how many others out there NEED that £100 a week, I feel guilty.
Thoughts please, people, but I have to run tonight, as I actually have some supply teaching work tomorrow and Friday. Days 4 and 5 since September!

[AKMD]

Don't do it. You would be going backwards for no reason. My mum's a teacher and has a class share; they do exist and you should hang on until you find one.

[RainboweBrite]

I'm still here (just!). Thanks for your reply. I am applying for everything part-time that comes up and have managed to get 3 interviews from 4 applications (told you they were far and few between!) over the last few months.

[AKMD]

A return rate of 75% is really good going, well done!

I think a stint as a TA would skew your CV for future PT teaching posts TBH so unless you want it more than a 7yo girl wants a pony there's no point if you don't need the money.

[troisgarcons]

Can I say - without wishing to come across as aggressive or inflamatory - I cant understand why you would put yourself through uni and all the financial encumberance that entails and then not want a career out of it.

[RainboweBrite]

Hmm... obviously Wednesday night just before 10.00 p.m. is not a good time to post on AIBU!
AKMD, thank you for your supportive comments. I think most Heads would have thought that way not so long ago, but with the job situation the way it is, they probably wouldn't hold it against you. In fact, I have actually seen a few posts recently from Heads on the TES advising prospective teachers to apply for T.A. jobs, if that is all that's available, as any work in school is better than none.
troisgarcons, you don't come across as aggressive. There are a number of reasons I only want to work part-time, although having said that, I've worked full-time before and I've recently applied for a full-time job, as it is local to where I live.
I am very lucky not to have incurred substantial debts, as I did my original degree in the 90s and I didn't have to pay any tuition fees for my P.G.C.E. in 2006.
Anyway, the deadline passed on Friday without my application joining the pile, and I don't feel any regrets. I'm not ready to give up on finding the right teaching job for me just yet, and I feel grateful and fortunate that I don't have to apply for any work going, just to get by.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Surely even one days supply a week would earn you more than that?

I think you did the right thing too. Fingers crossed the ideal thing comes up.

[RainboweBrite]

Thank you LaurieFairyCake. Sadly, not quite. I earn £76 per day for 1 day's supply, after deductions, and I've only had 5 days work since September.
I can't be as flexible as I would like, as I only have childcare in place for 2 days a week, my DH works away during the week and we don't have family or very close friends anywhere near us to fall back on.
Lots of schools use T.A.s or Cover Supervisors to cover now, instead of employing supply teachers. I don't really blame them for this though, as they have had to make so many cuts to their budgets. Hard times for everyone.

[Nanny0gg]

I think the journey is the thing to put me off.
You cannot be unreliable and that journey is awful.

[wicketkeeper]

Why aren't you taking yourself seriously?? You've done the course and now have QTS - that's an achievement, but you're selling yourself short. You will not be taken seriously even as 'just' a supply teacher, let alone as a full-time professional, if you can't get to where you need to be at a moments notice - and that means getting the childcare and the transport sorted. Learn to drive. Get the childcare organised.

And never, ever turn down work (I'm guessing you have turned down work in the past because you can't get there easily, or you don't have anyone to look after the children). Your agency has to fill lots of slots at short notice, and are not going to bother to ring teachers who can't just get on with it. It's part of the deal that they ring you on the morning you're needed, and expect you to just get there - the availability of car, sat nav, and adequate childcare are essential if you are going to do this important job.