For those of us waiting patiently

[Datetitleunderline]

Hello, thought I'd start a thread to see if anyone's in the same boat.
Basically I've decided that this is my last year at my current school for multiple reasons. I'm checking tes each day but so far no jobs have come up that match me - none in my subject (secondary history) or area. I'm hoping it's still early days yet and the right advert will hurry along soon!
Failing a job in a school I wondered about taking a year to do a masters, or some supply. I have a young daughter so it would be nice to spend more time with her. We could do on my husband's salary for a year if we made changes to our lifestyle.
Would love to hear from other people who are just quietly waiting to jump ship! -to stop me from obsessively refreshing tes-

[superram]

I’m trying to jump ship but completely out of teaching. Where do you live?

[Datetitleunderline]

Do you mind me asking why? What ideas have you got (so I can pinch them!) I'm in the Leicestershire area. Ideally I'd also like part time so I can see my baby more (9 months old, I went back when she was 5 months)

[Slipperboots]

If you can afford to I would consider supply. It’s a good way to see where you might want to work. I’ve worked in a few schools where they will actively chase good supply to take jobs.
Would you be happy covering other subjects as well. Might be worth speaking to agencies in your areas (or supply staff who come into your school) to see how much work there is in your area.

[Datetitleunderline]

Warwickshire is a bit too far and I have a family member currently in Northamptonshire - I'm not saying I wouldn't rule it out but as the council has zero money she is seeing a huge rise in social issues/pastoral teams stretched to the max with cuts to local services. This is all slowly but surely having an effect on teaching practices because they now being expected to do the job teaching and act as mental health/social care support because the local services aren't there anymore. She says it's also led unsurprisingly to huge dips in behaviour. I'm trying to get out of a school that can't afford to buy supply teachers now so the head has asked people to volunteer to do extra duty and give up any ppa they feel able to in order to cover - I'd rather not go into a similar situation! Or is that naive and just how education is now? This is my only school so no other experience.

[Datetitleunderline]

I would be definitely happy to teach other subjects as additional subjects as long as I could teach mostly history but as geography is my closest related subject and I haven't studied it since year 9 I'm not sure how desirable I would be?

[Datetitleunderline]

God, apologies for my awful syntax. I need to practice what I preach and proofread before posting!

[Rathkelter]

Do you think things would be different or better in another school? I'm in the south and school finances are having negative consequences on everyone: more cover, narrowing of options, 'natural wastage' (teachers not being replaced). I think lots of schools are strapped so can't imagine experiences would be terribly different or better elsewhere.
I keep a constabt look out but it's hard to find a job that suits: commute, subject combination, hours etc.
Supply doesn't massively appeal because a lot of it can be behaviour mgmt and not teaching your subject but no planning or admin must be nice.

[Datetitleunderline]

Ah that's interesting to hear! I felt it must be better in another school, but it's very telling that you're in a different location completely and still finding similar issues. What is the solution? I suppose for us scrapping our bloodsucking academy trust would help but that's never going to happen!
I've always recoiled at the idea of supply because I love my subject and I love teaching the same kids and building relationships but it's looking like it could be my only option for a bit

[Rathkelter]

There are lots of people who seem to love supply, OP! In my school, the cover supervisors seem to put up with a lot of grief tbough, in terms of back-chat and students thinking they can take the p* because their teacher is away. And that's with supervisors who know the kids. I can't imagine going into schools I didn't know and trying to fight my way through 6 cover lessons. But maybe that's just me and maybe you'd get used to it. My school is hiring less and less supply to save money. Staff who are 'light' are used for cover regularly so I have several a week now... I think the recruitment season is just getting going so let's hold out a bit longer!

[ohreallyohreallyoh]

It may pay to register with some local agencies - I work supply and some schools (increasingly few, I admit), leave the agencies to recruit for them. It would also open up maternity covers and long term absence cover if you need to leave but can’t afford to be out of work. There are supply groups on Facebook which would give you an idea of work availability in your area. I have done supply for 2 years and worked every day I’ve wanted to although sometimes have taken TA or Cover Supervisor days.

[Datetitleunderline]

Still nothing new today (I know, impatient...)! What makes it slightly more frustrating is that my ideal school is currently advertising for several positions - none of them linked to anything I could do! Argh!
@Rathkelter you are right, think it's early days yet. My experience of supply sounds similar, I've never fancied being sworn at or pushed to my limit over and over again as happens to our lovely cover supervisor frequently.
However, Facebook groups are a fab tip if I decide to try it out, thanks @ohreallyohreally I wouldn't have thought of that