Advice please teachers

[jaffajaffac]

Hello

Totally wrong category but I really need advice and the staff room chat is a little quiet. Thought I'd get more traction here.

I'm a science teacher of 6 years and I've applied for a trust lead teacher of science role. Interview on Thursday.

I love love love my current school but there's just no progression in science. I don't want to do pastoral and the current HOD and second aren't going anywhere.

The trust I have applied to have 3 schools local to me so I thought perfect, I may get one of these but the interview is at a school good 30 mins away. I have nursery drop offs in the morning which only I can do. Earliest I can drop them off is 7.30. Which means I would be cutting it be fine getting into school especially if I have a tutor group.

On paper the job seems good, leading on teaching and learning in the trust without the responsibility of HOD. It's on leadership scale as well but I don't know how much extra they would expect me to do.

I also currently work 4 days, the job is full time so I would have to think if I want to lose out on the extra day I have with my kids for this opportunity.

I don't know how many other candidates there are so if I will be in a position to negotiate on my interview (if I get the job) about working days/hours.

Does anyone have any advice or food for thought?

Hi OP. What experience do you currently have outside your normal teaching of lessons? Do you have any TLRs? That seems a massive jump if there is no middle leader role in-between? I'd be thinking how I could come up with a decent answer to this question as leading colleagues will be key especially if across multiple schools. I think you'll be up against current HODs looking to get on leadership spine.

Saying that, they've given you an interview, so that's a good sign.

I'm a single mum doing Science HOD and I'm really feeling the pressure at the moment. But it is a critical time of year. I'd imagine your working hours would increase massively from what they currently are.

Depending on traffic though, you should make it in time. Unless school starts before 8.30?
When I had a big commute, I put my DC in nursery and school closer to my new school. That way, I could drop off still at 8am (earliest round here) and still get to school without it looking last minute!

Good luck for Thursday 🤞

Thanks for replying @user1471530109

I was a HOD at my previous school but stepped down when I had my second to work in a calmer school.

Thanks for the advice! That's a good idea about schools closer to your new school. I hadn't thought of that.

I guess I'll find out about the travel on Thursday!