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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To consider leaving my much loved job to have a year abroad?

26 replies

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 12:28

I am a very happy part time teacher who has worked for many years in the same school. I've stayed because I love it. It's an amazing school, I love my colleagues, the pupils and parents. Just in the last couple of years though I've thought it would be nice to do something else just for a little while as a change.

Anyway, DP has just told me that she has been offered a position abroad for a year. It's a country we both love and have lived in before. I desperately want to go with her as does Dd.

So, I am going to ask my HT whether he is prepared to hold my job open for me for the year. Obviously I have no idea what he will say and he may well say no which I would understand.
The question is do you think I would be unreasonable to go anyway and give up my much loved job, probaby forever or would you stay here and keep the job? There is an option for DP to sort of commute but we'd rather be together as a family.

OP posts:

Treacleupthehill · 22/03/2015 12:29

YANBU!

WerewolfBarMitzvah · 22/03/2015 12:31

YANBU - go for it!

ilovesooty · 22/03/2015 12:31

If you can get a sabbatical all well and good. In the current teaching climate I think you'd be very unwise to leave your job.

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 12:31

Thank you Treacle. I suppose I just feel conflicted at the thought of leaving my wonderful school.

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Fadingmemory · 22/03/2015 12:32

Do it, even the head will not hold your job. If you don't you will always wish you had like me If you don't go, will it mean you being away from your DP for a year? If so, all the more reason to go.

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 12:33

Yes, ilIovesooty, that's the thing. I simply can't imagine a more supportive, lovely school to work in plus the hours are good for me.

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AwfulBeryl · 22/03/2015 12:33

It sounds like you all really want to go, so no yanbu.
Hopefully your school will allow you to have a career break,do you work for a state school ? Ime local government have been really supportive or career breaks.

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 12:34

I'm not sure yet fading, we are exploring some different options. She's away a lot anyway but never for months at a time.

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Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 12:36

Yes Awful, it's a state school and the HT is really a very fair minded, supportive person. Otoh there are one or two other things happening at school which might make him think it would be too much hassle which I understand.

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ilovesooty · 22/03/2015 12:39

Don't forget how absolutely invaluable a supportive school is. Also even if you were reemployed you probably wouldn't get the hours, pay portability has now gone and your pension would be impacted.

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 12:43

Yes, that's true ilovesooty. I suppo part of me just feels as if I have potentially 20 more years in teaching. If I never move away and take a chance I may be in the same job, same school for 35 years! That's a bit strange isn't it?!

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 22/03/2015 13:14

Well the head may retire or the school might become an academy and the ethos may change. I was happily in one school for nearly 13 years before I was unwise enough to move.
I've been in my current job for over 11 years and if things remain as they are I'd be happy to stay until retirement.

I don't think it's strange at all to be happy somewhere and stay. With teaching as it is I'd think very hard before even considering jeopardising that happiness and security for the sake of a year.

FishWithABicycle · 22/03/2015 13:21

YANBU - do it.
I bet the head would keep your job open, assuming you are good at it as well as loving it. Presumably the school regularly deals with maternity leave absences and will have well-managed procedures for recruiting temporary staff for a year at a time. If they value your work they should be able to use the same procedures for you. A good manager would much rather make an accommodation like this to keep a good quality staff member than risk losing them altogether.

DuchessofBuffonia · 22/03/2015 13:37

What's the turnover like at your school? I work at a great school, but as our city is v. expensive to live in, we struggle to recruit. Also, people move on in droves for promotion, travel, and leaving teaching.

Due to this, my school has granted several sabbaticals to try and retain great staff.

It's always worth a shot to discuss it with the HT.

ilovesooty · 22/03/2015 13:45

I agree absolutely that it would be a good move to discuss a sabbatical with the head.

Skiptonlass · 22/03/2015 13:55

Do it!! I quit my job several years ago to go abroad for a year. My contract was up anyway (fixed term academic type thing) and it was the best year of my life.

Talk to the head, just put your cards on the table and tell them you love your job, you'll be back, but can you have a sabbatical year?

Do it, you'll regret it if you don't

mytartanscarf · 22/03/2015 14:10

That's a bit doom-laden ilovesooty! I left teaching temporarily last summer. I just needed some space. Currently completing a masters and doing some supply - travelling next year! I've had no problems with job offers; I know it depends which part of the country you are in and your subject but which in theory it's possible to offer teachers less pay, in practice I've never actually heard of it.

I was HOD in my last position and trying to replace me was a headache and recruiting teachers was hard work.

That said, pt tends to be thin on the ground but I'd absolutely go for it!

ilovesooty · 22/03/2015 14:15

mytartanscarf I really don't think it's doom laden. If the OP didn't like her job or her school as much as she does I might have spoken differently. I do know several people who have left permanent contracts and have moved to short term ones where their previous salary hasn't been honoured.
That impacts on your pension too as I've said. In the OP's position yes, I'd request a sabbatical but I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't leave for the sake of a year.

mytartanscarf · 22/03/2015 14:20

I know it can be different if you are in a subject which doesn't have a shortage, but honestly, I have never encountered this 'surplus of teachers' that was talked about on the TES when I used to read there.

I do see your point but there are so many schools and so many teaching positions but there's only (probably) going to be one of these opportunities available - do you see what I mean ?

With that in mind I know if someone offered me a post that wasn't paid at least to scale I would turn it down. The only positions I've encountered where the traditional pay scale hasn't been stuck to are when schools have offered more to get someone decent through their doors!

To put it the other way, you be the brake; I'll be the accelerator.

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 14:25

I'm so grateful for all your replies. Dp has just returned from said country and we talked some more about the possibilities. She totally understands my reservations and ilovesooty, yes, it's very very lovely job so you're right, I need to think very carefully about it.

I really don't know how I'd feel if I came home and struggled to find something. I'm going to talk to the HT after Easter once Dp and I have had more time to think about it. Thanks again all.

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ilovesooty · 22/03/2015 14:27

The people I know weren't in a position to turn the work down.
Perhaps experiencing moving away from a job where I was secure and valued and the fall out from that affects my perception.
And it does affect your pension.
I don't think personally that throwing your life into total change when you're happy somewhere is worth it for a year. Not when you have 20 years to work afterwards.

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 14:27

I'm in primary. Obviously I have had to look for a teaching job for a long time so I don't really know how hard it would be.

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mytartanscarf · 22/03/2015 14:32

Something similar happened to me ilovesooty so I sympathise. I was happy being Head of Emglish in a small rural comprehensive and stupidly went for a leadership position in an inner city academy - still HOD but on the SLT and I hated it.

I resigned after just 2 years and I could have gone back to my old post - not the same school but similar - but I just didn't want to - I know I will in the future but I've felt quite drained and limited by teaching.

Ironically I am on long term supply, have been since September and will be until July all going well but the difference in my attitude is massive and I have two other jobs as well and feel so free! I'm loving studying and can't wait for next years travels. :) I guess that's what influenced my answer as I do feel like I've been born again. I love everything about my life right now - well after a fashion!

So I think we are coming from similar places in a funny way! Either way satsuma I really hope you make the best decision for you and your family :)

Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 14:52

Sorry, I mean I haven't had to look for a job.

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Original poster

Satsumafairy · 22/03/2015 14:54

Thank you mytartanscarf, that all sounds amazing! Very best of luck to you too

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