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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What jobs can I do that are term time only?

37 replies

maskedwoman · 10/01/2022 20:13

Obviously working in a school which I think I'd enjoy but I'm just wondering if there is anything else out there?

It does have to be term time only as I have 3dcs, one with sen so I'm very limited to childcare and I only have my mum to help me and she does enough without my relying on her for school holidays/weekends!

Also - How easy is it to become a teaching assistant? I have a levels in health and social care - which included a lot of childcare.

I don't really have any other experience other than my own in what I have learnt from having an sen child. He has an EHCP and I've been on many training courses for autism.

OP posts:
TheHoptimist · 10/01/2022 20:24

You don't need any qualifications to be a TA- maybe English and maths GCSE or equivalent for some posts

Register with a supply agency. Get a DBS- you will be working within days of clearance coming through. The posts are just above minimum wage and there is a massive shortage at the moment.

cakewench · 10/01/2022 20:29

I was hired as a TA/LSA at my son's old school mostly because they knew I had experience with Autism (his) and I knew most of the staff from my years on the PSA. I have no qualifications in the field (but do have a degree etc). It's not something I'd ever have expected to enjoy but now I love it. It's probable that I will end up back in my previous field once I feel I can commit to full time work, but I highly recommend this as a PT/ Term time role.

MsBananas · 10/01/2022 20:30

Some jobs in the local authority SEN depts are teen time only. Worth looking out for.

Lillyhatesjaz · 10/01/2022 20:35

Jobs at preschools can be term time only

FunkyPhantom · 10/01/2022 20:39

How about school catering ??

Innovate or Pabulum seem to be the two main companies and always looking for people.

HumunaHey · 10/01/2022 20:40

You could be an exam invigilator. Those jobs are usually offered on a casual basis but could suit you better for childcare reasons. Obviously there's only work during exam periods though.

Original poster
maskedwoman · 10/01/2022 20:43

Some fab ideas thank you.

I've been out of work so long due to my sen child. I've now found myself being a single parent - I really need something I can do that's mine but that does not add pressure to my already quite stressful life!

I'd love to work in sen, it's something that's been brought into my life and now a huge part of my life and I've learnt so much!

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/01/2022 20:44

I’m in the civil service and there are those who pro rate/ flex there part time hours so as to be term time only. For instance, they are perhaps three days a week, but work five days a week in term time so as to have the entire holidays off.

I’m not sure if those sums are right but you get idea. I’m pretty sure you can do that at all manner of different grades (might be hard at senior civil service to be off for a full six weeks, but other than that)

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 10/01/2022 20:45

Their not there Blush

DaisyArtichoke7 · 10/01/2022 20:45

My mum worked as an NHS chiropodist when I was a child and only worked school term times.

HumunaHey · 10/01/2022 20:47

You could also be a school facilitator. Something like this:
www.wmjobs.co.uk/job/110487/full-time-learning-facilitator-pearl-hyde-community-primary-school/

HumunaHey · 10/01/2022 20:48

I think the NHS jobs website also has a "term time only" filter too.

nuggetschicken · 10/01/2022 20:52

School cook/cleaner.
Some nurseries offer term time contracts. I work in a private, open all year, nursery and we have one term time member of staff.
Out of school care, there's quite a few in my area that are term time only. You'd have to work towards a childcare qualification though.

cptartapp · 10/01/2022 20:52

My civil service friend works three days a week and has all the school holidays off. Has done for years.

Lovemusic33 · 10/01/2022 20:52

I’m in the same position OP, have been a carer for my dd for 15 years, she’s about to turn 16 and will be going to college but still needs 1:1 care during school holidays and I have no help (single parent, ex is useless). I have had a part time job doing mental health support work but still struggled during school holidays and Dd1 had to care for dd2 which didn’t really work.

I have applied for several school jobs but have heard nothing back, maybe because my cv is pretty empty? I am a trained chef but can’t even get a dinner lady job 😭. I want to work rather than need too, life isn’t pretty lonely being DD’s carer and I miss being around people and just feel like I need some meaning in life other than caring for dd.

Tbh I don’t want a job in care as that what I do at home, I’m happy to cook or clean or even do gardening but I can’t find anything that fits into term time and the jobs I do find don’t get back to me.

Original poster
maskedwoman · 10/01/2022 21:00

@Lovemusic33

I’m in the same position OP, have been a carer for my dd for 15 years, she’s about to turn 16 and will be going to college but still needs 1:1 care during school holidays and I have no help (single parent, ex is useless). I have had a part time job doing mental health support work but still struggled during school holidays and Dd1 had to care for dd2 which didn’t really work.

I have applied for several school jobs but have heard nothing back, maybe because my cv is pretty empty? I am a trained chef but can’t even get a dinner lady job 😭. I want to work rather than need too, life isn’t pretty lonely being DD’s carer and I miss being around people and just feel like I need some meaning in life other than caring for dd.

Tbh I don’t want a job in care as that what I do at home, I’m happy to cook or clean or even do gardening but I can’t find anything that fits into term time and the jobs I do find don’t get back to me.

Yes that's me! I want to work more than I need too.

Sounds very similar, also have a useless ex! I just need something for myself.

I thought maybe volunteering at a school as my cv is pretty empty too.

I'm hoping to move house soon so I don't want to start anything until that's done and it will be a proper fresh start for my.

Wish you all the best, I hope you find what you are looking for Thanks

OP posts:
PooPooPongDelong · 10/01/2022 21:10

It also helps if you've got something 'extra' that sells you to them. Are you good at art or musical in any way?
@Lovemusic33 being a chef involves maths, attention to detail, following instructions, sticking to deadlines and promoting healthy eating you just need to make the connections,
Being a TA is very rewarding, I wish you luck

OutnumberedNotOutdone · 10/01/2022 21:23

I work in the independent school sector. Most support staff roles are term time only. Many schools still have “matrons” or a first aider who fulfils this role alongside some other administrative duties. These people are not always nurses. There may be coordinators who book transport for school activities, people who organise outreach or charitable programmes, lots of colleagues in admin roles (school-wide roles or working with specific departments), someone who hires out the facilities for external use, plus catering teams. I kept an eye on the websites of schools local to me as well as the TES website for support staff roles. A plus of working in the independent sector is that holidays tend to be longer than state schools too.

Beachhuts90 · 10/01/2022 21:36

I was a TA before starting teacher training. All I technically needed was GCSEs or equivalent in maths and English. I thought it was a lovely job, you have to find the right school for you but it can be so rewarding.

LittleGwyneth · 10/01/2022 21:44

With temping you can choose what work you do and don't take / tell your agency what your availability is. I used to get about £14 an hour which really wasn't bad.

Darbs76 · 10/01/2022 21:56

I work for the civil service and we do term time only.

DinosApple · 10/01/2022 22:31

I'm a TA. I used to volunteer at the school I now work at which most definitely helped my application.
I do not have any formal childcare qualifications, but I have the appropriate GCSEs, A-levels etc. And a child with SEN.

I love working with children, and having the holidays off with my DC is brilliant. The best part is most days I go in and a small child will say I love you Mrs Dinos. No other job do you get your own daily cheerleaders Grin.

Sadly I think this will be my last year. The wage is low, a pay rise of a few pence per hour hasn't cut it and DH's job looks like it will be disappearing in the summer.

Original poster
maskedwoman · 10/01/2022 22:38

@DinosApple

I'm a TA. I used to volunteer at the school I now work at which most definitely helped my application. I do not have any formal childcare qualifications, but I have the appropriate GCSEs, A-levels etc. And a child with SEN.

I love working with children, and having the holidays off with my DC is brilliant. The best part is most days I go in and a small child will say I love you Mrs Dinos. No other job do you get your own daily cheerleaders Grin.

Sadly I think this will be my last year. The wage is low, a pay rise of a few pence per hour hasn't cut it and DH's job looks like it will be disappearing in the summer.

Thank you for that input! That's sort of how I imagined it would be! Definitely something to look into and I'm more than happy to volunteer for a while.

I'm so sorry to hear that, what a shame when it's something you love. Hugs - hope you manage to sort something xx

OP posts:
Idontbelieveit14 · 10/01/2022 22:42

I work in a SEND school as an education healthcare assistant

Original poster
maskedwoman · 10/01/2022 22:49

@Idontbelieveit14

I work in a SEND school as an education healthcare assistant
Can I ask about what that involves?
OP posts: