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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

PGCE and Booking a Holiday

47 replies

chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 14:26

I know I should just ask the uni but I'm worried that I'll give off a wrong vibe and look like I'm more bothered about booking a holiday.

I'm starting a PGCE this September, looking at a holiday for next summer and would like to go in July before the school holidays as prices go up in the school holidays. The course has an end date at the end of June which we've been told about and know not to book anything before the end date of the course. Hopefully I will be starting my first year as a newly qualified teacher in the September but would I need to be available in the July for training or would I just have to show up in September when the school year starts.

Sorry if this doesn't make sense I'm just trying to understand it myself

OP posts:
Waspsarearseholes · 29/07/2021 14:28

You're usually invited in to the new school for a day or two to meet the class and get to know the school a bit but I don't see why you couldn't arrange this around your holiday.

iamtopazmortmain · 29/07/2021 14:29

It is a risk. If you are hoping to start a job in September then a lot of posts for newly qualified teachers don't get advertised or interviewed for until after the final resignation date for teachers - which is May 31st. Lots of schools will being filling the posts with NQTs in June and July.

Welcome to the world of teaching and the expensive holidays that go with it.

MoiraRose4 · 29/07/2021 14:30

It’s impossible to answer really. You’d be taking a risk of youd booked a holiday. We have recently employed several new staff for September and they have all attended our transition and inset activities over the last half term. If they’d had previous commitments, they would have been honoured, but it will be you missing out. Your choice really. What if you haven’t found a job as planned and you’re looking at last minute things?

AttaGirrrrl · 29/07/2021 14:31

I’d risk it. You usually finish your course at the end of June so have 2-3 weeks where holidays will be cheaper (and your last ever chance to take them!)

There’s a risk you’ll be offered a (coveted) July start at a new school but will just have to say ‘thank you but I have a holiday booked’ or invited in for an induction day (ditto) but neither of those would be compulsory.

Abraxan · 29/07/2021 14:31

Our NQTs normally come in for a few days as part of transition for the children, and to meet staff/tour school etc. We don't expect them to come in t school for whole weeks etc though, especially in the last week or so when their current teacher is preparing for them to move in/say goodbye.

However, I know some schools do have greater expectations. It's hard to know which kind of school you will have until the time sadly.

Thehillsarelonely · 29/07/2021 14:32

It's also a time to make up any sick leave incurred during your training.

Howshouldibehave · 29/07/2021 14:32

Some schools offer an early start and want you in from July and pay you over the summer. I have to say that my school didn’t do this, but others did! Budgets probably don’t allow for that any more though!

If primary, there will usually be a ‘meet the new teacher’ session/day where everyone swaps round (ours is always the last Tuesday of term) but obviously you won’t know what that will be like as you don’t have a job yet. I would have hated to miss that for my first class.

Coldilox · 29/07/2021 14:34

Many years ago when I was an NQT I went to my new school for the last two weeks of term for some induction, training etc. In return, they paid me from a July start date and over the summer holidays, which was worth more to me than a cheaper holiday. Not sure how common that is though.

Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 14:42

I'd hate to miss any induction events, the best thing to do at the moment is to not book anything I think, when I start the PGCE my course mates I'll talk to my course mates hopefully and see what they'll all doing in terms of holidays.

OP posts:
charmingbat · 29/07/2021 14:45

Not a great idea for reasons already mentioned. If you live near the Scottish border, consider flying from Edinburgh as there are different term dates there and it can be cheaper if you were looking at an August holiday.

Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 14:46

The uni have just said don't book holidays before the end date of the course in June but never mentioned about after the course ends

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Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 14:53

I would be worried if I missed an induction day because of a holiday booked it would not create a good impression of myself.

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countdowntonap · 29/07/2021 14:53

I wouldn’t think twice about booking it. We’ve had NQTs who booked holidays for the first term Hmm which slightly ran over into term time, or had committed to a long weekend away for a wedding. The head ‘honoured’ them as a one off as they were booked before they were employed by the school. You’ll have nothing to worry about in
July.

MostlyHappyMummy · 29/07/2021 14:55

From what I remember PGCE ends in June, a week or two after placement. So July will be free for you

charmingbat · 29/07/2021 14:57

one of our trainees got observed by the university in mid July on the last day of the summer term!

Howshouldibehave · 29/07/2021 14:58

We have never had an NQT who wasn’t able to come in for the class swap day mid July-my head (who is lovely) would not be impressed if someone was on holiday, I don’t think!

Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 15:07

I really need to ask the university for advice, my teaching career is way more important than a holiday. I'd hate to miss job opportunities by being on holiday.

OP posts:
Babymeanswashing · 29/07/2021 15:07

There are some weird schools out there, if someone would be mortally offended by my being on holiday when, you know, I’m on holiday Hmm I am not sure I’d want to work there anyway.

Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 16:01

Does anyone else know how other schools would view this?

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iamtopazmortmain · 29/07/2021 16:06

I can only repeat what I said earlier about interviews. You may be lucky and secure a job early on - but in my school the vast majority of job adverts and the interviews are held in June and July. The interview dates will not be reorganised for someone who is unavailable.

It depends on how confident yo are in securing a post before June. What sector are you? How many vacancies are there usually each year?

MrsTWH · 29/07/2021 16:09

I was able to get an NQT post that started July 1st so I got paid over Summer, which was brilliant. I wouldn’t have gone on holiday instead. I’d hold of and maybe do a last minute thing if possible.

Amijustagrump · 29/07/2021 16:25

I finished my PGCE start of July and went away the following week. Induction tends to be mid July so I would be cautious of that!
So 1st july- 10th July would probably be fine
10th- end of term i wouldn't risk!

Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 16:26

It will be primary school

OP posts:
HelloDulling · 29/07/2021 16:30

Are you primary or secondary, OP?

Original poster
chestnutflower · 29/07/2021 16:30

I think booking something nearer to the time would be the most sensible option

OP posts: