Worried about losing my teaching job, maybe I'm not good value for money!

[NeverendingStory32]

I'm a teacher, working on a temporary contract. It's a long story but the school I'm working at I've actually been at for 13 years but I left (resigned) for a couple of years to have my dc2 as there were health complications. It was for the best at the time. I did supply after this for a little while and then got invited back to my original school to cover maternity last year. It was a part time temporary contract that then got extended so I've been back there a year. I was hoping they'd keep me on again permanently.

However, my contract ends in July and I'm worrying that will be it now. Reason being, I'm job sharing with a hlta who was doing cover. She had to step in to job share after the previous job share teacher left. She's fabulous and I love working with her, she's very good at her job. However, I think that they'll ask her to teach a class full time from September. She gives everything 110%, goes in to work during the hols, she's well liked by slt and cheaper being unqualified. I don't think anyone else will be leaving either.

My self confidence is very low with my job at the moment which doesn't help. I'm not the teacher I was before having children and I've been through a lot since having them. My dc1 is 4 and my dc2 is 18 months. My eldest also has sen which can be extremely demanding. I give everything I can to my job but I have limitations because of other life/family responsibilities. I feel like I'm not as good as other teachers at the school but on the other hand, I do still enjoy teaching and always try my best.

I'm just worrying that the school will let me go and not give me any further contracts. I'm worried I won't get another part time teaching position somewhere else as they are quite difficult to find. I've done supply and tutoring and the money isn't consistent enough. I'm just disheartened that I will likely lose my current position because I'm not good value for money in comparison to an unqualified teacher.

AIBU to feel like this?

Anyone?

i doubt very much governors or others would accept an HLTA covering a class full time. Depending on La usually there is a rule of max whole class cover of 50%

As you know school budgets are really tight at the moment so it is likely that they will be considering the cheaper option. The good news though is that you have plenty of time to start looking for something new. It's scary when you've been at the same school for so many years, but there are lots of nice schools out there, I'm sure you'll find something. Good luck!

I don’t think the parents would be happy about that! My daughters old school tried this on when her class teacher teacher left mid way through the year. Cue massive protests from parents and a new teacher being appointed by the school.

Of course you're not unreasonable. I really feel for you. I'm shocked that your school would place a HLTA in a class FT, however competent and well-liked. How up-front do you feel able to be with SLT? Can you ask directly whethee your contract is likely to be renewed? It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask whether there looks like there will be space for you in the staffing structure from September, as they know you have a family to plan for. I suppose one reason not to let your contract roll would be to avoid paying you for the holidays, but that seems ridiculously tight.

The issue of workforce retention in education is so worrying. Replacing 'natural wastage' as teachers resign or temporary contracts end with unqualified staff. At my school, our Y2 class is taught by a job share consisting of a teacher and a HLTA. 50% of the week, the children are taught by a brilliant and bubbly, but essentially unqualified adult. How is it OK to 'save money' on children's education in this way? This HLTA is not fairly remunerated for what she is expected to do, and while flattered that she is trusted also feels insecure about subject knowledge and pedagogy, while the qualified job share partner ends up doing more than her share as all the detailed planning and assessments need to be carried out by a teacher.

Also, I can't think of any other sector or industry where more experienced practitioners and professionals are penalised for their seniority by being phased out / managed out on on the grounds of being too expensive, when the salary gap is comparatively small. Lots of really inspirational, experienced teachers, who love class teaching and don't want to go into management, are lost to education all the time, through what is essentially constructive dismissals motivated by funding cuts. Our children are missing out on so much, but schools get away with it because there is little insight.

I've always told people, when asked what to look for when viewing prospective schools, to look for schools that have at least some mature teachers actually class teaching: this speaks volumes of the values of the school in terms of valuing experience. It also usually means it's a nice place to work, and not a school that chews up early career teachers and spits them out.

Would a school really take on an unqualified teaching assistant to cover a whole class? Forgive my ignorance but seems wholly wrong.

I think teaching as job destroys your self confidence. That’s what’s causing your problems.

Schools are strapped for cash but still unlikely to appoint unqualified person over a qualified teacher. Many schools are hiring nqt's as cheap. Another option they could let your contract expire in July but then offer you a further year contract starting September. Saving school your salary over summer break. I'm sure you could find something else for next year and if you get appointed you could negotiate b we ing appointed end of July as opposed to beginning of September.

There is a large and growing teaching shortage, so I imagine you will be able to find work, whatever happens.

My school currently has 3 unqualified teachers as class teachers, 2 full time, 1 part time. This is why I'm worried because I know they will do that. Tbh, I thought other schools were similar with teacher shortages and tight budgets.

All 3 started as teaching assistants

I have said this before on here but I think the Mumsnet contingent would be shocked if they knew how many unqualified teachers teach at the moment.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this stress, I've been there myself on a temporary contract in Secondary. They kept dangling the carrot that I'd be made permanent next term....then it was the next academic year...then it was the year after. Finally, I decided to look elsewhere- I worked as a cover teacher for the Autumn term and secure a job in Spring. It was for the best, the school sounded like they were in a similar staffing situation as yours and it was best for me to get out.
How do you feel about making the move yourself? This is a good time for jobs for September.