Long term supply teaching, maternity pay? Do I find a permanent job or stay as a supply teacher as I enjoy ?

Se12345 · 2025-01-04T09:56:54+00:00

Hi there, if anyone out there can give some guidance. I have been teaching for 4 years, but never liked the schools I have worked in. Even in long term supply I’m coming up with schools I don’t enjoy working in. So I’m scared of going back to a permanent teaching role. I’m scared that I will have to resign again, which is the last thing I want to do. My problem is we at the point now where we want to have a baby (if it happens) in the next 2 max 3 years and I know you need 1 years work or 6 months at the same school to qualify for it. How much am I losing or will we struggle if I stayed on supply. Where I will receive no maternity pay. My partner should be earning about 60k maybe more by then. But still not enough to cover our mortgage for the both of us which is near 2k. We ideally wouldn’t want to eat into our savings by then.

Maddy70 · 04/01/2025 10:00

Get a permanent contract before you go on maternity. It's the only way really

monkeysox · 04/01/2025 10:06

Maddy70 · 04/01/2025 10:00

Get a permanent contract before you go on maternity. It's the only way really

This

BrickSquid · 04/01/2025 12:57

Hi @Se12345

You're in a tough spot and its tough to balance career preferences with your future family plans - totally understandable. If you've not been enjoying the schools you've been in, it makes total sense why you'd be hesitant to jump into a permanent role - supply teaching does give you flexibility to pick and choose which is a big plus but as you mentioned, it does mean no maternity pay! On the flip side because a permanent position would give you access to maternity pay and more financial security, especially witht he mortgage I wonder if its worth looking around for a school with a more supportive envrionment? Might take some digging but schools with strong leadership and a positive culture are out there - it's about finding the right fit (assuming you're still in love with teaching).

Given the situation there's perhaps other things you could do to act as a buffer too. For example, could you boost your savings now to create a maternity buffer for yourself? You mentioned your mortgage is near £2k so perhaps something else to ease the pressure is to look into overpaying now to reduce future repayments. I found that even small overpayments have added up and reduced my overall costs. I've been using an app called Sprive that helps to automate overpayments for me rounds up small amounts to make extra payments. It's been helpful in tackling my mortgage faster. If you want to check it out here's my refferal link (https://linkprod.sprive.com/refer?code=MQS66YC5) and my code MQS66YC5 gives you £5 toward your mortgage too.

I hope you're able to find a balence that works for you - even if its a longer-term supply role just for a year to get maternity pay eligability. Or maybe you could try combining supply with some tutoring to top up your income and create your maternity buffer? Whatever you chose don't be too hard on yourself - you're clearly being super thoughtful about your next steps and thats half the battle won :)

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Original poster

Se12345 · 05/01/2025 08:42

BrickSquid · 04/01/2025 12:57

Hi @Se12345

You're in a tough spot and its tough to balance career preferences with your future family plans - totally understandable. If you've not been enjoying the schools you've been in, it makes total sense why you'd be hesitant to jump into a permanent role - supply teaching does give you flexibility to pick and choose which is a big plus but as you mentioned, it does mean no maternity pay! On the flip side because a permanent position would give you access to maternity pay and more financial security, especially witht he mortgage I wonder if its worth looking around for a school with a more supportive envrionment? Might take some digging but schools with strong leadership and a positive culture are out there - it's about finding the right fit (assuming you're still in love with teaching).

Given the situation there's perhaps other things you could do to act as a buffer too. For example, could you boost your savings now to create a maternity buffer for yourself? You mentioned your mortgage is near £2k so perhaps something else to ease the pressure is to look into overpaying now to reduce future repayments. I found that even small overpayments have added up and reduced my overall costs. I've been using an app called Sprive that helps to automate overpayments for me rounds up small amounts to make extra payments. It's been helpful in tackling my mortgage faster. If you want to check it out here's my refferal link (https://linkprod.sprive.com/refer?code=MQS66YC5) and my code MQS66YC5 gives you £5 toward your mortgage too.

I hope you're able to find a balence that works for you - even if its a longer-term supply role just for a year to get maternity pay eligability. Or maybe you could try combining supply with some tutoring to top up your income and create your maternity buffer? Whatever you chose don't be too hard on yourself - you're clearly being super thoughtful about your next steps and thats half the battle won :)

Thank you so much this is very useful advise. The right thing to do is to find another permanent job, be eligible for maternity pay I guess. Hopefully I can find the right school through supplying!

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