To consider leaving a job I love.

[caulkheaded]

I can’t work out if I’m feeling a bit lonely or if it’s a legitimate idea

I work in pastoral care in a school. I love it. Pay is horrific but it’s a brilliant team and it fits within my skill set. I have a years rolling contract and next week have to interview again for a job for September. There is little job security year on year and at the most I can earn £3000 more. I’d then be at the top of my pay scale and can’t move up without altering the role.

All my friends and my boyfriend work in non education jobs. This week two are away in India/Russia for work, four (inc boyfriend) are skiing in Canada. Another is in Greece visiting her family.

I’m frustrated with not being able to go away with them because I can’t take term holidays and it’s harder (and more expensive) for them to take A/L in school holidays. I’m also earning upwards of £14,000 which is making me miserable.

So for voting purposes
YABU - Stick in the job I love
YANBU - don’t interview/look for something else for September.

Agree, do both. Secure the post for another year, but get looking, thinking, planning.

As you are re-interviewing for your post, could you propose ways in which it could develop?

For example: could you offer some sessions during the school holidays (you would need to specify what for and what the benefits would be) in exchange for x number of days' leave during term time?

TTO is great while you have children but sucks otherwise, especially as you'll be dealing with pupils whose parents take them out of school for a fortnight in Florida because "Well, holidays in school holiday times are so expensive, what else can you do?"

OP, you owe the school as much loyalty as it's showing you. Not offering a permanent post and expecting you to re-apply for your job every year means they're keeping you insecure and you should feel free to look around. Does the LEA have any jobs going that would suit you?

Sadly, permanent contracts for support staff are few and far between. My school is part of a fairly cost-cutting trust too which doesn't help!

I've had a look this morning at NHS jobs (need different training) and other school jobs (similar salary). I'll keep looking and see what's about

I'd look around. In my 40s, friends who have stuck with low paying professions (teaching, academia) are struggling with the cost of kids and housing (and definitely not going on skiing holidays).

It's not really the season for school jobs yet. Even though support staff are usually on one month's notice, a lot seem to go at the end of a school year so keep looking!