Please help! Can't decide.. struggling teacher

[cakesandcookies89]

I have been offered a new job but am really, really struggling to make the right decision in the middle of a national lockdown..

Background.. I am a primary teacher and have been qualified for 10 years, I recently returned to my previous post but part-time when my little one was 6 months last September. It was difficult to negotiate what I wanted and as such I came away with slightly less hours and no planning time (even though 10% is the legal requirement). My school is lovely, feels like home, set where I used to live and I have been there for 7 years.. I love the staff, however, it hasn't been without its issues.. it's very clicky and I feel very pushed out at times, it is now an hours drive or more in the am and pm from where we moved to (couldn't afford to buy there- very affluent!).

I interviewed while on maternity leave for a job and got down to the final 2 but lost out to someone with more experience. Yesterday they phoned and said for family reasons she has had to resign, before they put an advert out would I be interested. I had informal chat with them and despite it being temporary in the first instance (they've not seen me teach due to Covid) they made it permanent to give me job security. They said if I could let them know today. The hours are the same but I have to take a bit of a pay cut as I don't get the fringe allowance. It is 10 minutes from home. I asked about a pay rise and they said it is possible from September once I have settled. I will also get to be a core subject leader (there isn't much room for leadership at my current school and no money)

I adore my current school and cannot decide what to do. I feel incredibly guilty leaving my class at Easter.. I feel like I am letting everyone down and worry far too much about other people. My head is very supportive of me being closer to home despite sad to see me go as is my previous head. My DP thinks I'm mad not to take it.. but since yesterday all I've done is get very emotional, have a sleepless night and be all over the place at the thought of going.. I feel second best yet they want me. We've had so much on as a family and since losing my beloved grandma recently (who I would always talk to about things like this) I feel a bit at sea and everything feels very tricky like i haven't got a clear head. I just feel the children have been disrupted enough now I will add to that.

Just looking for some friendly advice. I know I should trust my gut but I just feel a bit numb &cannot decide. They've given me an extension until tomorrow morning to decide!

I’d go for it.

It sounds like it's a good move career wise and close to home.
Change is hard especially at the moment.
Goodluck! Xx

Go for it! Never let an emotional attachment keep you in a job. I'm a governor at two schools; if you're current school needed to let you go - they would! And travel time is time you could have with your baby. Good Luck!

You will probably gain or at least not lose too much financially if you usually drive 2hrs a day. I guess the only thing you might find harder is bumping into school children in town. Otherwise I would take it especially as it gives you the opportunity for development.

Do it. That distance is a no brainer

Go.
It's normal to feel all over the place when making a decision.
Don't let the "second best" thing bother you. You must have been good if they're calling you and making it permanent, wow. Maybe it was a happy coincidence for both the school and you that the other candidate couldn't accept.

Don't worry about leaving at Easter. I've done it, it was ideal for settling in summer.

You will be far down the list of concerns/problems for your current school, and I mean that nicely. The pupils will be sorry to lose you but that would apply in summer too.
Congratulations!

Go for it! I think 10 minute commute is a no brainer, and looks like there will be opportunities in the new job that aren’t available to you currently.
I’m a teacher and am in my fourth school in 13 years. Each school I have been so sad to leave and each new job has bought massive highs and lows. I have to say that I have survived the most inspections out of anyone I know (6 at last count) it’s great experience and you can always leave if you don’t like it. Sorry to hear about the loss of your grandma x

You’ll cut 100 minutes or more from your commute. That’s huge, and will save you money too.

I hope you went for it!!

I’m a secondary teacher head of department with two small children. As your little one gets older, as well as any more children, that commute will make life so much harder. Closer to home has a lot going for it. Progression potential is amazing too. You don’t want to get stuck and frustrated somewhere that is a long commute, when you have your own family’s commitments too

Take it. Walk away from cliquey, walk away from fewer hours and no planning time. It sounds like stagnation tbh. Also an hour's drive each way is rubbish; I've done it and it is exhausting.

Bloody leave.

I promise you it will be the best decision you’ll make.

Less commuting time, more time with your DC. What’s not to love.

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to reply to me. It is a very difficult time atm for us as a family and I'm an over thinker. I'm just hoping the head isn't annoyed as I have delayed because out of courtesy I wanted to speak to my current head. I feel sick st the thought of leaving all the things I love there as they really do go above and beyond for the children & I love the staff yet the clique will never change I know that and my little one is already growing so fast nearly 13 months! I'm going to go for it and 🤞 x

Do it. The travel time alone would do it for me. Be brave, you’ve got this.

Your current school isn't that lovely if they don't give you the legal minimum planning time. Brutal but true.

I get it though, it's hard to leave a school where you like the staff, community etc. But the new job is close to home, has progression, and they've committee to making it a permanent role AND thought enough of you to remember that they liked you and that it was worth trying you before advertising to see if "anything better" from a recruitment perspective came up, which is what most places would do- they might ring and let you know there is a new advert but few would just go yep, let's just ask her, unless they really thought you would fit and do well there.

I'd go for it!