AIBU to consider giving up term time only?

[mumtomaxwell]

I’m a teacher and have been for a long time. It’s convenient and I’m good at it, but I’m really bored. There’s no progression available in my current school, and I don’t really want to teach somewhere new. So I’ve been looking elsewhere... I’m lucky because I’ve done other jobs at management level so I’ve got experience outside, and I’ve got a good Russell Group degree. I’m confident I can get another job, I’m just wondering if I’m mad to give up the convenience of term time only?

I would. I don’t really think term time only is a good use of your time, salary and pension. Dh and I both work full time. We manage perfectly fine using annual leave and a bit of holiday club. It means I make about £20,000 more a year and loads more pension. Even if I needed to take unpaid leave because AL ran out, financially it’s such a better deal.

Same boat as you, OP, although I've actually just applied for a new teaching job . If I had other skills and experience like you, I'd certainly be applying for other kinds of job, but I don't! Well... I can speak a bunch of languages, but that's not necessarily that useful without other skills to go with it!

It would depend if you have reliable childcare during holidays etc. I am term time only and I love the balance it gives me with my children. I work full time in term time 5 days a week.

It depends on so many factors, it's really difficult to say how valuable term time only is to your particular family.

I'm not a Teacher but I work in a school in a senior position and it would take a lot for me to give up working term time only. I love the time with my DC, I feel it gives me a good work/life balance and the pressures of work don't get to me because I know there's always another half-term/holiday around the corner in a few weeks time. I also love my job though, if I was bored at work I might well feel differently and decide the sacrifice was worth it.

How bored are you and how old are your DC?

I feel term time only and a shorter core hours working day is a massive bonus whilst they're little. I do realise the hours are longer than the classroom. My mum was a teacher and so is DH.

Once DC get to secondary age their independence is so much greater that it's easier to make holiday arrangements with the odd day of leave. Its easier to commit to a wider variety of roles, not always having to clock watch and not being exhausted from getting up in the night.

If you've got primary aged kids, I would stick with term time hours until they're older. Having to sort out childcare for the holidays is a pain and can be expensive, not to mention missing out on family time. But if you dont have kids or they're over 13, I would consider it.

I’ve got 11 year old twins in Yr7 and a little one in Yr2.

My DH works a shift pattern that includes 7 days in a row off a couple of times in a 6 week rota so that’s helpful.

It’s the boredom that’s driving me away.... maybe I should look at another school, but I worry I’m too set in my ways to cope with a different version of teaching!!

Do it.
Try and find somewhere that’s flexible.
So you can wfh a bit

I’m in the same predicament with a 7 year old and as a single parent. I love the holidays and know I’d be mad to give them up but I’m so so bored and want to think long term. I’m not a teacher though.

you have to weigh the convenience of 'term time only' with being able to switch off (most jobs) at 5pm and knowing your evening is your own. That's without worrying about meetings/ lessons plans/ parents' evening/ clubs/ trips etc. what am I saying...go for it!!! good luck!!

I gave up a term time job that I didn't like (slightly different as I took a part time job and went to uni) I work 4 days a week. Last year I only had one while week twice off (quite a few longer weekends) and I love it.

When I was term time I put my life on hold waiting for the next holiday. Now I enjoy my work life and my home life (although my final year of uni is hard with DC and a demanding job).

@mumtomaxwell have you considered applying for "head" of school positions? With your experience I think that you would be able to do the job, and you will still be working "term-time"

Do it! I have found the key is ensuring good new AL entitlement. And other perks help too, like in the summer being able to work your hours over 4 days and have Fridays off. I've found when I've come up with creative solutions employers have really liked it.

A friend did what you are doing and negotiated not only 5 weeks annual leave to start but every Friday off in summer and working from home over Christmas break (when not on AL days).

It can be done!

Once boredom sets in it's hard to shake it.
Are there career opportunities available within the school you are in? Not necessarily a promotion, but something which can give you a kick start. Can you discuss how you're feeling at a CPD meeting?
Teaching is too hard a profession to carry out without motivation and drive so if there's nothing left to light your fire I'd say it's better to look for opportunities outside of teaching.

What are you bored of?