Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Going from p/t to f/t teaching. Wondering about taking the plunge...

32 replies

Oovavu · 23/01/2009 14:42

Have worked part time since dd1 6 years ago. Have mostly worked 3 days p/w but did go down to 2 days p/w just after dd2. Am now doing 4 days p/w and coping OK, but live near to the school so a big element of potential stress (travelling) has been taken out.

Am considering f/t and perhaps promotion in near future though, poss somewhere I'd have to travel to. Is it the point of no-return though, going f/t? I want the responsibility of promotion (Hd of Dept) but I still very much enjoy my day off with dd2.

How do full-timers cope with small dcs? (or dcs generally I guess!)

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
Oovavu · 25/01/2009 12:33

Yes cat I agree. The main reason I went up to 4 days this year was that I live so close to work and it's so convenient, it really wasn't any more considerable hassle. I have one day a week that I finish on the bell and I can pick both dds up at the school gates which is great.

I think I've been kidding myself that 4 days at my present job would be the same as 4 days elsewhere but I haven't really thought about all the fannying around involved with dropping the dcs off, picking them up, after-school activities, etc.

We would probably need to get a cleaner which would definitely help, but I don't think it would make life 'easy' enough to warrant extra hours at work.

OP posts:
cat64 · 24/01/2009 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Oovavu · 24/01/2009 15:53

True. The part-timer I mentioned above is forever catching her tail, tbh; often in on her day off. She's very good at her job though and it seems a real shame that her career should be compromised because she wants to balance work and family. At least the head is giving her the chance to do it I spose even if it ends up being a complete PITA.

Fiona Phillips is right then... you can't have it all (both at this fact of life and also that I am driven to refer to ex-GMTV presenters to illustrate to my argument)

OP posts:
hercules1 · 24/01/2009 14:30

I would rather do full time and drop the lmt bit tbh. It would be difficult to do it part time as I'd spend the first day back picking up the shit from my day off.

violethill · 24/01/2009 13:23

IME there can be downsides to a member of LT being part time. TBH, most people who are looking for LT jobs are full time, that's a fact of life.

Original poster
Oovavu · 24/01/2009 12:47

Shame hercules that you feel you have to drop the leadership role. How would it be financially if you dropped a day rather than the TLR? Would your head consider this? One of our LT is part-time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oovavu · 24/01/2009 12:46

Agree hercules1. Dh got a promotion in his job last year and works longer hours as a consequence. I'm often 'single parent' in the week and he misses their bath and bedtime which he traditionally does when he's here. He's worked a fair few Saturdays recently too. Which I know won't sound like much of a hardship to those parents who do this day in day out without much help (and I take my hat off to you) but I'm finding it physically and mentally exhausting, with work being a rollercoaster most days (really good elements mixed with horrible ones) then straight into f/t mum when I leave the school gates.

Weekends are becoming more reclusive, just so we can recharge our batteries. I'm still not dressed yet today!

(and it turns out my article has been published this week -so that's good news! )

OP posts:
hercules1 · 24/01/2009 11:52

I work full time and 2 years ago joined the leadership and management team. It was great when dh was a sahp but since he's been back at work it's really hard. I have asked to drop the lmt bit at the end of this year. I wont miss the money as I want some sort of a life back.

Original poster
Oovavu · 24/01/2009 11:47

Gosh it's sooooooooo hard to decide. I think if I was happier with the dept I work in, I wouldn't really have an issue, but I don't feel like I'm realising my potential.

I think, though, reading these replies, that part-time is the way I want to stay. If I was full-time, I would have to travel, which would cut into my day and my time with the dcs. Dd2 is also a bit poorly at the moment (having tests etc) which is a worry and I want to devote any time I have to her and the rest of the family, rather than mithering about dept issues.

I suppose the top and bottom of it is that I feel undervalued in my current post (as far as subject goes) and that I have lots of creative energy that needs channelling positively. I think I'm mistaking this energy for a desire to run a dept as my only option, which it's probably not.

I think I might see if I can get some stuff published maybe? (Resources, schemes of work, etc). I've just had an article approved for publishing in an education mag, which I was chuffed about. Maybe that's the way to go?

God why is it so hard to make your mark and have a family?

OP posts:
stillenacht · 24/01/2009 09:45

hi oovavu - i have enjoyed having extra money but most of my job increase is down to working as a peri (I do a full days peri teaching now) so much much easier than classroom work plus there are no meetings etc so i have found transition from 2.5 days to 4.5 days fine - no probs. Not sure if i would ever want to go full time classroom teaching again - but you never know (I guess i am lucky my HoD is my DH!)

Dalex · 23/01/2009 22:06

Sorry Ouvavu, not au fait with jargon yet. You have to go with your gut. Have had a week from hell as my AP walked out last Sunday. DH and I struggled through between us but am working my way down a lovely bottle of wine now
My kids go to after school care at school which they love and we are debating whether we need the grielf of another AP. Have hired new cleaner and ironing lady (40 for lot) now have spare room and no car insurance for young AP. But those INSET days, late meetings and if the kids are a little tired, I will have to take time out. I don't object to this but hard enough to be taken seriously in big school as woman.

Original poster
Oovavu · 23/01/2009 21:44

Sorry Dalex - by 'DH' I assume you mean dept head? When I 1st read it I thought you meant 'dh' and I thought 'cool, a single dad' and then you said you turned into mum at home. I was confused - DER.

Childcare is great (fab CM) but she has a day off the same day as me and it would mean putting the dcs with someone else that day of the week which would be unsettling I think. It's all looking like I should stay put for now doesn't it?

OP posts:
Heated · 23/01/2009 21:41

My advice re going from p/t to f/t teaching: get a cleaner.

Dalex · 23/01/2009 21:36

I am a DH and work FT with my DC's being 4 and 6. They attend the school I am part of which works well. I have always loved my job and would not give it up for the world but as everyone has said, it depends on the support you have, good childcare and a wonderful cleaner to ensure when you get home, you magically turn into mum

Original poster
Oovavu · 23/01/2009 21:26

Good point, btw, from bigTillyMint about older dcs needing you even more now. There;s no doubting that living near to the school also helps with that tea-time contact.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oovavu · 23/01/2009 21:23

Hmmmm. Lots of food for thought. Good to read all kinds of experiences. A friend of mine who is in a senior post said that he really wouldn't recommend becoming a HoD at the mo due to the huge changes in the curriculum coming up; core skills; competency, etc.

I know that there would be good opps at my present school for whole-school and/or Leadership Team roles in the future and plenty of things to do outside of my subject area, but I do love my subject. I've had 2 cracks of the whip at acting HoD in the past: the 1st time I didn't get the job and the 2nd I didn't apply as I was pg with dd1. So I think I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about running my own dept and seeing things through.

I kind of get the feeling at my school that they are trying to steer me away from being a HoD. There would be great whole-school roles available I think, but my subject is where I think I have proven abilities and would make me happier. It always seems a bit lonely doing Leadership Team stuff?

I do know I could definitely stay p/t even in a senior role at this school, but maybe not HoD due to the logistics and continuity (it is a core subject I'm in).

OP posts:
cat64 · 23/01/2009 18:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ebeneezer · 23/01/2009 17:49

I think that if getting a HoD position on 4 days a week may be possible if you are in a smallish dept like RE, Geog etc. I suspect not a cat in hell's chance if you are in a core subject.

I would never want to be F/T in sec again personally, though I could very much see myself being F\T in primary (would dearly love to transfer in Y5 or 6). Good luck to you whatever you decide!

ohappydays · 23/01/2009 17:34

Ive worked part time, full time and now 4 days. I have had promotion in all three posts. I love the work life balance of 4 days and the time I can devote to my child and my work without being absolutely exhausted.
I know quite a few people in senior posts who work 4 days but it does depend on the area, particular school and dynamics of the staff team

etchasketch · 23/01/2009 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

violethill · 23/01/2009 17:24

I would recommend going full time if you want promotion. I worked part time when my kids were very small, but returned to full time once they were older. IME part time can be a bit of a mugs game - you can end up doing school work on your days' off.
I haven't found coping with full time a problem at all tbh.

I've known a few Heads of dept who do a 4 day week but it's usually unsatisfactory all round - they feel unable to keep on top of the job properly, and teaching is one of those jobs where a lot happens on a daily basis and it can leave gaps if you're not there.

If you have a deepseated desire to run your own Dept then don't ignore it. I've enjoyed running my own dept more than anything - it's a chance to really shape things how you want and put your own stamp on it.

cat64 · 23/01/2009 16:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NewTeacher · 23/01/2009 15:15

Hi there

I work FT and have 2 DC's who are 3 and 5. I do have an AP who helps with the kids and cleans the house so leaves me free to spend quality time with DC's. I have 2 colleagues who work PT and would never go FT as they enjoy their days off. Though they do complain that they dont have enough free lessons to finish off school stuff and sometimes end up working at home.

Working FT does mean there are meetings and INSET days to attend.

If you manage your time you will find that it all fits in BUT it has to be what is right for you. SOme people like to work PT to have that extra day with thier DC's or to do whatever they like.

Think about the pros and cons in your own family life to see what works.

Original poster
Oovavu · 23/01/2009 15:09

oh, no I am very very old ....

(just had a Big Birthday )

OP posts:
Original poster
Oovavu · 23/01/2009 15:08

Yes, I do worry that once you get back on the f/t hamster wheel there's no going back. Some heads are more family-friendly than others. I've worked in places where part-timers have been HoD but have also been subject to having promotion blocked for not going f/t.

I spose there's no harm in going for HoD jobs to show you're a good candidate then trying to negotiate for 4 days? If they think you're capable enough, some Heads might go for it?

OP posts: