I'll try to keep this short...😂
Art teacher, been head of a large department of 8 and now a smaller one from this year onwards of 2, been in the school 13 years....mainstream, grammar. Love it, mostly. Hate the managing part of it, been nothing but stress. Long ish drive, spend 120 to 180 on petrol each month during term time. Am though part time, but I do need to be full time and asked earlier this year, but was turned down due to not enough teaching. I've noticed in the last year or so that younger staff who tend to sing their own praises seem to get what they want...offered promotion without interview or process, given choices over curriculum that don't make sense for the children but keep staff happy, etc. It does gall. The newish head seems to make easy decisions even though they aren't great for the kids to make sure he's not the bad guy.
I've been there a long time and I'm feeling restless...however, it's safe. If I do get full time is be on a good amount. I like the people I work with, mostly. Behaviour is ok and I can deal with it, but I do find the older classes more rewarding, less stressful. 32 boys can have a bit of a mob mentality and can be hard work, not easy to get to know them on an hour a week. It's easy in lots of ways, I could concentrate on other things, like a business I started before lockdown. I could make it more exciting in this next year, possibly by introducing a few things, but the arts never do very well in an academic environment.
I get to leave day a fortnight to get my children from school, although to be honest that can be stressful with the drive. We get Friday afternoons for training and there aren't any after school meetings.
I'm skint because I really need 5 days, to give me a buffer zone. I'm a single parent and the easiness is lovely, and suits my children now, but kind of boring. I kind of feel like if I stay that's me until I retire now (I'm 44). I also work with my boyfriend but we are a secret because of work...it's nice I get to see him briefly every day, but it can cause issues because of gossip. We've talked lots and he'd be excited for me to get a new job and we've both said how much it would do our relationship good, to not talk about work and to be able to be totally honest about is if I went. He's looking for jobs too.
Saw a job after a particularly difficult day.. working in a SEMH school. Very challenging behaviour but lots of staff, small classes. Lots of support. Staff seem very happy. They stay years and years. They all say the staff team are amazing and they support each other.
Teaching art and DT, so I'd have to learn new skills, but that would be exciting. Only classes of 6 for that. I'd get to grow the department, develop it hopefully. I'd have to start with what I have which is basic, but there's potential. It's full time, salary to be decided but I'd hope to be getting at least what I would full time at my school, I could go slightly less as it wouldn't actually work out much less. No managing any staff, just involving the LSA in the room with the lesson. Possibly more practical work to manage, I can't imagine there's much budget for art.
I could collect my children from school every Friday and drive my eldest to school every morning, possibly collect her. Which would mean no 1.7 mile walk for her. I'd be in the town I live in, with a 15 min commute, 20 tops.
It's a risk though. What if I hated it...I couldn't leave, as I'd never get another HOD job like the one I've got.
It's basically comfortable and easy but boring, or risky, challenging, scary and exciting, more money sooner and guaranteed. I'd basically be doing half a day more a week for over 300 more a month. But it's scary! And I'd be sad to leave my friends and colleagues, plus I'd miss some of the kids I've got great relationships with.
I keep thinking well it's obvious I should take it, and then thinking I'd be mad to leave where I am!
Ok, so yes take the new job, no, stay where I am...
Mumsnet jury, decide for me please! (Tonight if possible, I've got to let them know by 1pm!)