How to ask for early release

[ps1991]

I’m due to return to work from maternity leave on the last day of term, then part time from September. I really don’t want to go back and a job at a really good local school has come up. How could I ask my current school if they would consider releasing me early from my contract? And do I ask before I apply for a new job or after I would interview?

I know I will have to pay maternity pay back

[CottonSock]

I'd worry about that if you got the job to be honest

[ps1991]

Yes I understand that, but If I go to interview then I am basically saying I will take the job if I am offered it, if I haven’t already agreed early release with my current job this will cause problems

[Chilledout11]

I would interview and see what happens. If you don't get the job there us no awkwardness then.

[allabouteve1]

Apply for the job first. Though you could not go back, you'd have to repay your maternity pay but if you do that I don't think you have to work any notice. I could be wrong.

[CheesecakeAddict]

I agree with the pp. Concentrate on the other job. You might get lucky; I only got my job as the teacher I was mat covering for didn't want to return. She found herself another school, that school offered our school to pay back her mat leave and my current school wanted to keep me on full time anyway.

[noblegiraffe]

Not sure if the resignation deadline applies to returning from maternity leave - check the burgundy book.

You won’t get paid over the summer - that’s 6 weeks full pay to consider.

[ps1991]

Why would I not get full pay over the summer? I would resign from 1st sept as I would if I had resigned by the 31st May deadline

[TheFallenMadonna]

I think noble means that not returning from maternity leave might be a way of avoiding a Christmas end date if the school won't release you early.

You have to give your current Head as a referee, so you would need to talk to her/him anyway.

[noblegiraffe]

They could say they’d release you from your contract with an end date of July. You haven’t stuck to the resignation date, so they wouldn’t have to.

But look up the terms of returning (or not) from maternity, notice is different for that.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Are they likely to be able to replace you with less than half a term to go? What's the situation with your cover?

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

They wouldn't let you resign at the end of the summer would they? I can't see what's in that for them

[noblegiraffe]

Oh just looked up returning from maternity, once maternity had started it’s the same notice requirement as normal teachers.

[tinyrobot2]

The normal resignation dates do apply, so you would have to ask for an early release. Depending on what type of school you are currently in, and would be looking to move to you might have to pay back you enhanced maternity pay if you do not return for 13 weeks after your maternity. You would also need to speak to your head prior to applying, as it’s likely that the new school would request references before interview because of safer recruiting.

[tinyrobot2]

Sorry, the 13 weeks might only apply if your school is following the burgundy book. If your in an academy/free school/independent you’d need to double check

[ps1991]

Thanks everyone. We are an academy but follow the burgundy book. There doesn’t seem like much hope. My mat cover already has a job elsewhere and my current school is already trying to find a replacement for another teacher in my department who is leaving. I’m a secondary maths teacher so pretty hard to come by!

[JustTheCrowsAndTheBeef]

Can you afford to repay your enhanced maternity pay?

You can apply for the job but bear in mind that the new school may take up your references before interview and it won’t do your case much good if your current HT hears about this from them rather than you.

It might be more realistic to ask to be released for October half term. You won’t have to repay your enhanced pay as you will have done your thirteen weeks. Alternatively if the new school really like you they might wait until Christmas for you. If they’re advertising now then they must have had an unexpected resignation so they are going to struggle to recruit for September.

[TheFallenMadonna]

I agree that being a Maths teacher might put you in a stronger position with the new school waiting until Christmas, depending on whether they are after subject knowledge and experience or someone in front of the class (and I say that as a non specialist Maths teacher!)

[ps1991]

Obviously it’s not ideal, but I could pay it back if I had to. I emailed the school asking if I could have a look around and would they consider part time, they said no to both! I don’t think I want to work at a school where they wouldn’t be willing to let me look around before applying! So that’s out. There is another local (very good) school with a position advertised that I may also try!

I find that being a maths teacher is only good for underperforming schools!

[tinyrobot2]

Good luck with whatever you find

[MsJaneAusten]

The potential school should also realise that you’re unlikely to be able to start until January though?