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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

The staffroom

0.8 plus TLR or 0.4 with A Level? 3 small children

29 replies

Poetryinaction · 22/02/2020 20:19

What would you go for?
0.8 with Head of Subject, no A Level
0.4 with A Level
I am on M6 and this is hypothetical (one is advertised, one is speculation).
My children are currently 6, 4 and 2.
Thanks

OP posts:

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sakura06 · 22/02/2020 20:28

0.4 with A Level personally! (Although it will be hard work, especially if the syllabus is new.)

I guess you need to judge whether time or money is more important at this stage. The 0.8 job would take up a lot of time, but obviously pay a lot more.

Poetryinaction · 22/02/2020 21:44

Thank you for replying. I agree with you. I just wanted someone else to say it!

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frugalkitty · 22/02/2020 21:48

I agree, when the kids are little and school age an 0.4 will potentially make you life easier, and you've more chance of getting to assemblies etc. Also, less to need to cover if they're poorly and off school. As they get older you can always build back up and take on more responsibility (though if you have free family childcare on tap this may be less of an issue)

Poetryinaction · 22/02/2020 21:55

I have no family childcare whatsoever. My 2 year old has had chickenpox this year so I had 2 days off with her. Her dad also took days off. Then she was sick on the way to nursery. My school charged me for having more than 2 days dependents leave within one year. So 0.4 would definitely save that worry.

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Bluewavescrashing · 22/02/2020 21:58

The 0.4 job as it will also improve your chances of career development - promotion if desired, progression to Ups etc.

I'm only considering 0.6 now youngest is 6yo, and only as a HLTA not a teacher. 0.8 is still a heavy timetable.

seven201 · 22/02/2020 22:02

I do 0.8 with A-level and I have one three year old. If you can afford it, do 0.4! There are plenty of women who work full time with TLRs, but you have to really want that kind of life. It doesn't sound like you want that at the moment.

lorisparkle · 22/02/2020 22:03

I would love to be .4 again! I am currently doing .7 and am asking to reduce to .6. If you can afford .4 then I would go for it, I have 3 ds and have found that the older they have got the more they need me. My evenings and weekends are often taken up with different clubs and sports so find I feel very stretched. In an ideal world I would love to do just supply work.

Poetryinaction · 22/02/2020 22:06

So good to hear this! We struggle a little financially now (I am 0.64) but when the little one gets her free hours it will be easier. And I think my time with her, and my sanity, is worth it.
I love A Level.
I was just worried that reducing my hours could limit my scope for progression.

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noblegiraffe · 23/02/2020 09:04

0.8 head of subject would be more like full time I’d have thought.

If you think 0.4 is too low, could you ask them to bump it to 0.5?

Soontobe60 · 23/02/2020 09:12

As a newly retired teacher who's always worked full time, if I could choose again I'd go for less hours with small children. I really regret having worked full time when they were little (although I do have a better pension because of it 🤷🏼‍♀️).
When looking at recruiting, I've never been influenced by whether someone worked part or full time, I don't think this is an issue in schools. I agree that the 0.8 job would end up being full time hours and eat into your weekend too, whereas the 0.4 would not. Seems like the best of both worlds.

Soontobe60 · 23/02/2020 09:14

And maybe you could take on some exam marking or a days supply work each week if you need additional income?

Soontobe60 · 23/02/2020 09:15

Actually, thinking about it, that's your solution! Go for the job with less hours and do supply for one or two days a week. On weeks when you've got more work on, just don't do the supply!

converseandjeans · 23/02/2020 09:32

0.4 while they are little - especially if you don't have much family support.
You could offer to do supply and say you can only do lesson 2-4 so you can do school run? My school prefers staff to do cover as we know the kids & it costs them £17 per hour.
You will save loads once youngest gets free hours.
Also what about exam marking?

fedup21 · 23/02/2020 09:36

The 0.4 job as it will also improve your chances of career development-promotion if desired, progression to Ups etc.

Why would going to 0.4 be better for career development?

converseandjeans · 23/02/2020 09:53

fedup I guess because of this A level teaching experience?

Bluewavescrashing · 23/02/2020 09:57

because of this A level teaching experience? yes.

frugalkitty · 23/02/2020 10:04

poetry I've never had family childcare either and when I look at my working friends it's the ones who have parents/in laws to have the kids that have it easiest. I actually stopped when I had my second baby as 0.6 HoD money wouldn't have covered two lots of nursery fees and my DH worked away so it was all on me. However, my advice would be to prioritise your pension, pay in as much as you can.

Bluewavescrashing · 23/02/2020 11:37

It is hard with no family help. My DH works away internationally quite regularly, up to 5 nights at a time, but he does earn well so we can manage with me being PT. Teaching is not as family friendly as it first seems once you take into account parents evenings, having to be in school early in the morning (even harder with a commute and nursery drop off), workload in the evenings. Hats off to those who work FT.

Poetryinaction · 23/02/2020 14:03

Thank you all for your thoughts. Really helpful. I'm hoping for an interview now!

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fedup21 · 23/02/2020 14:08

I guess because of this A level teaching experience?

Sorry, yes of course! I couldn’t work out why going 0.4 would be better for your career but I was missing your point!

sakura06 · 23/02/2020 21:00

Good luck with your application!

I went up to 0.8 but regret it. The only thing giving me pause is they might take my A Level classes away if I go back to 0.6 which is my contract. 0.4 with A Level sounds perfect!

lorisparkle · 23/02/2020 21:14

Good luck! I am really looking forward to my reduction in hours. It may only be half a day on paper but in reality I will gain a whole day!

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Poetryinaction · 23/02/2020 21:19

Thank you all. I have not taught A Level for ages, so I am not that hopeful of being shortlisted, but we'll see. Will report back if I get it!

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Poetryinaction · 25/02/2020 16:07

Not heard back yet, boo. Closing date was yesterday but interview Thurs.
The speculation is that my HoD is about to get promoted. Not sure if she will do both roles but if I am asked to do hers it will probably be 0.8+TLR. I did this with one child, but now I have 3 I'd rather reduce my hours.

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Bluewavescrashing · 25/02/2020 16:59

Good luck🍀

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