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Going from full to part time?

23 replies

LancashireTea · 27/10/2017 10:53

Question: who has done it and how much grief have you had about it.

I work full time currently, but money is getting easier for various reasons. We can now afford for me to not work every hour under the sun. Plus SLT demands are sky high for me this year and if in honest, I want to spend more time at home, looking after my family.

My house is always a disaster till the holidays and I spend most of Sunday batch cooking and prepping for the next week with lots of marking and planning and SOL writing. I want to claim it back as DD is nearly 3 and we are able to do more together.

My OH pulls his weight and does a lot but neither of us sit down till at least 8.30 each day and are exhausted.

So yeah, who has made the change and did you get flack for it?

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Cynderella · 27/10/2017 11:17

I did it, and it worked for me while kids were younger. More recently, I did when relocating until I found something full-time. If you do any more than three days, it feels like full-time with a day off. The number of classes means you're still planning and marking a lot. I'm secondary English, so it may not be as bad for subjects with less marking.

I also found 0.7 difficult because you're more or less full-time, but you miss stuff so feel out of the loop.

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Appuskidu · 27/10/2017 11:21

Yep-I've been part time for most of my career (20 years qualified and 17 part time).

I don't want to ever have to go back full time if I can avoid it. I'm 0.6.

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ErnesttheBavarian · 27/10/2017 11:23

What do you mean by getting flack? From whom?

I didn't go out within my job. Pre kids I worked ft. When I returned to work they offered me a ft post (although I applied for or). I refused. A few weeks later they offered me a pt position. I worked 50% for a couple of years, then increased to 80%. Now I'm back down to 50% , sort of accidentally, but it's much better for my stress and sanity, so I don't plan to increase my hours. My school is great though. In most respects.

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LancashireTea · 27/10/2017 11:23

I teach English and Media this year so am fully aware of marking. I was hoping to go down to 0.8 as I don't think we can afford any less, tbh, plus I know that'll be a massive no-no at school.

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LancashireTea · 27/10/2017 11:26

Flack from SLT and my department mainly. Part timers are not looked upon kindly at our place. In fact, the majority of staff who are part time, were there from before I started there 7 years ago. Since then, only a couple have been allowed to drop as it "messes up the timetable" as we can't afford "overstaffing"

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juliej00ls · 27/10/2017 15:17

I got rid of all management. I have now got hobbies....rather small time commitment and can meet up with friends. I can home at a sensible time and help MY children with homework and hobbies. It can be tiring FT teaching but I'm beneath the radar. Much less stress

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Lowdoorinthewal1 · 27/10/2017 17:13

My HT doesn't let anybody work more than 0.6 (apart from me, I work 0.9) because it's impossible to get somebody to do the other days. Few people want 0.2.

Just a consideration that you may want to bid for 0.6 so they can find you a job-share.

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Lowdoorinthewal1 · 27/10/2017 17:14

I mean PT more than 0.6. Obviously FT is allowed!!

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phlebasconsidered · 27/10/2017 17:24

I was in an newly turned academy and knew that they wanted me out. All part timers felt the same. It was obvious from September when other new teachers came in on part time as jobshares but saying they would be full time by January.

I've found a new job. They were utterly open to part time. I was open about my needs. I'm going a set amount of days then.upping next year when my childcare needs change. They were happy to accommodate me because I fit their ethos. I didn't fit the ethos of where I am. I will be replaced by a full time unqualified.

The message is: find your school. I was open and said I can't be full time for a while but would be if I was supported long term. Depending on where you are, it can be done.

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Acopyofacopy · 27/10/2017 19:55

Best thing I ever did. I am currently working 0.8 and use my day off to plan, mark and have brunch Smile

My family are much happier because we actually have a weekend together, and I feel a million times more relaxed and sane.

Colleagues assure me that 0.6 is even better work-life-balance-wise

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Smilingthru · 27/10/2017 20:57

I'm 0.46. Best thing Iv ever done!! I work hard on my days in school and work two evenings a week but that's it! I'm less stressed, fit everything in and am just happier! Financially we manage although if I went to 0.6 it would be easier but it's not worth the stress.

I'm primary and my SLT have been amazing! They fully support part time staff. They would rather have more good part timers than ok full timers! But my school is pretty special!

If you can afford I do it, then do it! You'll never look back!

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shopaholic85 · 28/10/2017 11:47

Pre-kids I did 2 years of p/t because I was finding the workload as a f/t English teacher challenging, and it helped me stay in the profession. My HT at the time was supportive. New HT not so much and I did end up going back up to f/t when I was promoted to 2ic. I loved working 0.8 and though did used to work on my day off, it was on my terms and I felt I had more of a weekend.

Lots of schools cite timetabling as a reason for not wanting p/t staff, but that's just SLT not being creative or flexible enough to make it work. I had to change schools post-baby and went for a job that was advertised as part or full-time. My new HT was looking for the best people rather than just someone who could do f/t. I work 2 days on a job share. I leave at 3.30pm most days (though I start early and have a long commute) and limit myself to working no more than two evenings a week. My school is very supportive of parents and lots of teachers work shorter days to be able to do pick ups and drop offs.

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cloudleopard · 28/10/2017 12:09

I have been PT for 10 years. Had to give up my TLR. Our then head hated PT and basically told me i wouldn’t get a FT post again as I’d be competing against cheap NQTs. Fast forward 10 years, we have a new head who also doesn’t particularly want PT, but we’re now struggling to recruit quality staff. Head is now realising experienced PTs are a more reliable workforce than NQTs who either give up in the first 2 years or move to cheaper parts of the country (I’m in London). Head is now desperate for me to go FT and we employed a job share this summer, first time my school have employed 2 part timers for a job share.

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wewentoutonsunday · 28/10/2017 12:35

I have been pt for seven years after three ft. secondary English. This year went from 0.6 to 0.4. Had to give up my tlr but did it prob on 0.6. With kids, I would struggle to work 0.8 or full time and keep my sanity. School always supportive - 2 different heads - but they like to keep English over staffed.

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Tptbonus · 28/10/2017 12:56

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Pumpkini · 28/10/2017 15:50

Over half the teachers at our secondary are PT. Anyone returning from ML is accommodated with whatever portion of FT they want, and no first/last lesson requests (so you can do primary run if local) can also usually be worked around. School is large so there is flexibility, but mostly they want to hang on to good staff.

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BackforGood · 28/10/2017 16:02

Primary here but I went down to 0.6 18 years ago and have stayed that way ever since (moving also twice during that time, and 2 promotions). No flack. No grief. some jealousy.

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PotteringAlong · 28/10/2017 16:11

I'm 0.6. I love it. Had no flack at all for a few years but a change of head and the new head massively disapproves of a) part time teachers and b) women who "let down the sisterhood" by not working all hours and striving to be a head like she is. So I think I will resign at easter because I am fairly certain I can't work for her any more.

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noblegiraffe · 28/10/2017 16:14

Part timers at my school aren’t allowed promoted posts so your career is screwed. We also have to be grateful for whatever timetable we get so I’m 0.6ish and the most full days off I’ve had is one a fortnight.

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bettyboo40 · 28/10/2017 16:39

I am 0.8, still kept my HOD role and full TLR for that. I was allowed if it was short term. I've done it for 2 years so far, and I love it. Not sure how long I can stay part time though and I'm lucky that at the moment I have a full day off each week, some part timers in my school are in every day with the odd morning or afternoon off. I do a bit of school work but mostly house hold chores which saves me time on the weekend

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Pumpkini · 28/10/2017 16:50

Noble that's awful, although not unusual I know. Our PT staff do not have their hours spread over several days, unless they want that. If you are 0.6 then you work 3 days. TLR posts are possible, but only really on a 0.8. Perhaps employment practices should be something parents ask about when choosing schools - a flexible school (generally) makes for happier, less-stressed staff who are more likely to stay.

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PotteringAlong · 28/10/2017 17:36

My school is the same - it was made very clear that I could not be head of faculty and part time. I wanted 0.8 plus my tlr but the answer was no way. So I went for the bigger financial hit for greater benefit.

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user1483390742 · 29/10/2017 12:31

O.6 here and it suits our family perfectly. I don't care about promotion- when i look at how exhausted and stressed out the SLT staff are, i think no way is that for me! Life is too short and if i left tomorrow, i'd be replaced and forgotten within a week!
I'd rather spend time with my family and have a life of my own thanks!

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