Need to make a decision re jobs, not sure what to do for the best?

[Hb12]

I currently work in my children's primary school, which is a 2 minute walk from my house. I work in the classroom, 4 full school days and 1 half day. Only works out at about 25 hrs.

I have been offered an interview for an office based job at one of my children's high school. I applied because I wanted out of the classroom, while still staying in an educational setting and term time only. New role would be 37 hrs, term time only, 8-4.

Current school is small and cosy, part of the family really. A good place to work, caring etc. I have a child in yr 5 and one starting next yr.

My son would be sad to have me leave, but would probably appreciate it when he starts high school in a couple of years.

I'm just so nervous of rocking the boat. What I have now is logistically easy, just around the corner, friendly etc but I do find classroom settings stressful. I also do find working in my kids' school hard in a lot of ways, I'm way to involved in the day to day, but would find it hard to bring up any issues as I'm also staff. The new role would also be at a school they attend, but in a very large high school so a lot more distanced.

Argh, I just don't know what to do! I'm nervous of more hours, nervous of letting my current place down (the class I'm in is challenging), nervous of change I guess. But I would like more office work.

How do you make decisions?! What would you do?!

I had to make a similar (but different) decision recently. I chose to move, on the grounds we usually regret the things we don’t do, not the things we do.

Good luck making your decision.

do you have childcare in place or available for the younger ones for the extra hours? As long as that's manageable I'd say go for it. There are a lot of positives - change is always scary but it's usually worthwhile.

It sounds to me like now is an excellent time in your life to move.

More hours so more pay, just as your youngest is starting school and your older ones are less needy. Still finishing at 4pm and so available for after school and term time only so holidays no problem.

You’re worried about change but I can’t see any downsides for you at all, truthfully.

And it’s just an interview- if you don’t go you won’t even know if it’s a good fit, let alone be offered it. Seize the day, OP!

Yes. Maybe it would help to think of it in stages. First stage is just to go to the interview - you don’t need to make any decisions at this stage. Second stage, if offered it then think it through. Third stage - decide.

Thanks all. Childcare wouldn't be too much of an issue, the 9/10 year old could easily get himself to and from school and be trusted to home along for an hour until k got there. I'd feel a bit sad for him, as he's used to me finishing at the same time as him, as I did with his sister . I wouldn't want it to seem like I was following her and leaving him!

The youngest could carry on at same nursery on site where I currently work, and could use it for wrap around if needed. Dh could probably do the boy drop offs and parents can help with pick ups.

My working hours would be longer than the high school day, but there are clubs and a leisure centre next door. Logistically it is doable, just a bit eek.