To go back to my old job after a year

[PandoraBox89]

It's a school role, I was a TA there and I left last December, largely because of the commute, it was taking me 1h30 minimum to get home in the traffic and it was too much.

In addition, my role had changed slightly from my previous year there and I had stopped enjoying it.

I've been a Cover Supervisor for nearly a year at another school. I regret this decision, as there's a certain attitude from kids towards supply/cover staff and it's just constant behaviour management.
I haven't really made any close friends here either, it's probably my own fault but I find people can be cliquey, today heard 2 people whispering in the staffroom, I know it wasn't about me but find stuff like that rude.

Anyway, I miss the old school a lot. They are advertising my old role (the first one I had there as a TA) to start ASAP with a 2k pay rise.

I live a lot nearer now, and I miss the school a lot and the staff.

Do you think it would be crazy of me to reapply ? Don't want to get the job hopper rep either. I do regret leaving and they seemed disappointed that I did, though I know i'm nothing special and people can be replaced.
What would you do ? (I know they may well reject me !)

I'd be about £50 a month better off if I went back there, and also paying less in transport each month so an extra £30-40. I've really made a mistake becoming a Cover Supervisor.

Sounds like a no brainier to me! We have loads of people return to my workplace.

Speak to them and apply. If you explain why you want to come back then they can take that on board.

Thank you, I did explain at the time of leaving that it was mainly because of my commute, they seemed pretty annoyed at first but understood.
A friend of mine did the same thing there though, reapplied and they didn't take her back.
I'll try though, nothing to lose !

Yeah, speak to them to get an idea of where you stand and re-apply if the vibes are good.

I've gone back to an old job after just 3 months! Go for it.

It wouldn't hurt to try. Explain that you've moved much closer now. But also explain the benefits of them taking you back - you are experienced and know the school, so not much training/onboarding to be done there.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone :) yeah, they seemed happy with my performance there and I was hardly ever off etc. The deadline is tomorrow so better do it tonight !

Sounds as if you left on good terms, reasonable reason to leave etc.

Good luck!!!

Definitely go for it, what's your notice period?

Thanks ! I have 1 month notice luckily as i'm support staff, and we did leave on good terms luckily, I had 1 month notice there too but ended up staying longer until the end of the term, really hope I get an interview !

Interesting discussion: I'm in a similar position of wondering whether to go back to an old job after 18 months.

The only things holding me back are a) my current job is more prestigious and b) a vague feeling that in general its not a good idea to go backwards but on every other issue its a no-brainer really. I far preferred the old job: had good friends there, its much better resourced and managed than my current job which is stressful because of workload, the hours are likely to be less punishing, the commute easier and the pay will be equivalent.

At my stage in life (late 40s) and with the preoccupations I have I feel like everything is pointing me in this direction.

do it! why worry about job hopping? I move jobs all the time and it's always been fine! (Finally settled somewhere decent now haha)

I'd give the school a call and say you want to come back

good luck

Go for it. Probably stating the obvious but state nothing negative about your current job at all - if asked why you want to leave focus entirely on positive reasons and stating things you do in your current job that you can use - you have developed skills managing class behaviour etc. You mentioned the role is advertised 2k higher than you were paid. Has the role changed at all? Will there be some taking of the whole class expected?

Thanks everyone, i'm gonna go for it will let you know the outcome :)

Also don't think there will be taking the whole class, think there's just a new pay policy and support staff have benefitted from it which is nice.