To give up term time only working?

[JFrogs]

I currently work 26 hours across 3.5 days in a primary school administrative role. I’m considering leaving because the pay is quite low, the work is quite dull and there is a high level of micromanaging/mistrust among staff. I’ve mentioned this to a few people and they think I’m mad to give up term time only.
It is great having holidays with my kids (they are now upper primary and lower high school) and especially as they head towards their teens I don’t want them spending all holidays glued to tech. But equally term time only can be very restrictive- my partner works away during the week and so if my kids are ill I have to stay home. I’m currently on an absence watch list due to this. Also depending on the days they fall it means I can’t attend sports days, school plays, although once the youngest is at high school this won’t be an issue.
I’ve seen a full time role advertised for 52 weeks which looks good and is better money. It is working from the office full time which I know may be quite a leap as currently I have 1.5 days plus school holidays to get jobs done and relax. Has anyone made a similar change and how did it work out?

If you need more money, you should take the new job.

But thats the only reason I would give up term time only, especially with younger kids. The stress of working 5 days, child sickness AND handling school holidays with much less AL than your school role gives is not to be underestimated.

As a teacher, I do wonder how the admin staff do it! We all run our classes so differently, it must be an absolute nightmare for you!

Is There any flexibility they are able to offer at the new job? I notice you say you are the primary parent for illness/absence. Would they be able to accommodate wfh in these scenarios?

Sadly I have enquired and there’s pretty much no flexibility. I’m entitled to one day (or part of) for emergency care if kids are ill with the expectation that I use that time to find alternative care then after that it’s unpaid and marked as unauthorised. I have no family help available and partner works away so if child is physically sick and can’t go in for 48 hours I have had to take 2 days unauthorised. So actually I feel I’d be better off in some ways in a job with more flexibility.

We had a restructure at work and after 10 years, they took away my term time working. The extra money has come in handy, but honestly I wish I was still term time. Having to think about booking time off work has caught me out over the last year - and then I've not been able to have time off with the kids (similar ages to you) because other people booked the time of first.
I'd go back to term time in a heartbeat and am looking for something suitable now.

my partner works away during the week and so if my kids are ill I have to stay home. I’m currently on an absence watch list due to this.

So if your currently on a watch list for absence, how do you propose to manage a full time job where you are a new employee? What is your plan when the kids got sick week 2 in the new job?

Ive just done it and regret it and am trying to get back in. Sounds like you're in a rubbish school, so I would look for tto elsewhere. We have always been allowed paid time off for child events up to a set limit of hours. After that its unpaid leave.

if your kids dont need you in the holidays what about a part time job that isnt term time only?

Parents that I have spoken to in 52 week jobs have flexibility- eg using annual leave, unpaid holiday, wfh. I’m not taking loads of time off but when I have to it means if it’s any more than a day it is unauthorised

If the new role allows you to work from home that makes child illness easier - a pre-teen/teen doesn't need constant attention for run of the mill illness so you could supervise whilst working from home.

I worked in a school for 7 years while my sons were younger. Brilliant for the holidays.
BUT
pension was rubbish
salary was rubbish
you’re forever waiting for the next week off
expensive holidays
“ normal job now “
= much better salary / pension able to get emergency time off if needed
holidays when you want them and so much cheaper out of term time !

Also, don’t forget that you are coming to the end of having to stay at home with child sickness. Teens don’t get ill the same as young children - and unless they are VERY unwell can be left in bed to recover from a sore throat or whatever.

On a more general note, it sounds like a 52 week job would be better for you but the particular one you are considering doesn’t sound flexible enough.

Do not under estimate how quickly a standard holiday allowance will evaporate!

I made the leap last year - but mine are old enough to stay at home alone if required - DH works some weeks away, and some weeks from home.

How would you manage the school holidays? Given the illness levels you are currently experiencing, unless homeworking is possible, you will end up with an issue again.

BUT, the extra money is lovely (although the pension is crap), the lack of toxicity is like a breath of fresh air, and the autonomy is phenomenal.

Personally, I'd look for a FT TTO job in another school, or a PT job that is year round.

I did it and haven't missed it Becky my children were in high school so they were with their friends more than me in the holidays so it felt daft just being off and on my own. Now I'm older I'm glad I did because of the impact on my pension and the increased salary.

I think you need a new job, but this isn’t it. I’d maybe wait until your youngest has left primary school too

If you are struggling with leave, child sickness, school holidays etc you need a job with flexibility, flexitime or WFH. Young teenagers still need you!

I gave up a term tome job and was really worried about doing so.

However I moved to more hours but with some wfh flex. I now can't imagine going back to the term time only.

Being able to wfh means that all the stress of ill kids is over. I just stay home but work on my laptop.

I take additional unpaid parental leave to cover some of the holidays