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Original poster

Need time off during term time in school job

90 replies

AlertRubyTurtle · 15/07/2025 13:10

Hello, I’m looking for advice. Apologies for the long message.

I am a qualified primary teacher gaining QTS 5 years ago and since then have been working full time in a private nursery (at the time the early years sector appealed to me and I wanted to gain experience in this area).

In January I began maternity leave after having my first baby.

Now that I’m a mum the idea of returning to my current work place doesn’t appeal to me. The hours and days are long and besides that I think it would be too far to travel with having my own child now especially with dropping off / picking up from nursery when she starts (when I started working there I lived much closer with my parents).

I was actually hoping to transition into a school job which would obviously be term time, particularly special educational needs schools as this sector interests me. There are several schools local to me taking on for September for teaching assistant roles (which I would want before thinking of becoming a teacher as it would give me experience).

I have 2 problems. Firstly, I will still be on statutory maternity leave until October, but was hoping to take an extra month and return to work November time. Would this be an issue if the start date is advertised as September?

Secondly, which I think is a bigger problem, my childhood best friend is getting married next September 2026 and typically has booked it midweek the first week of term. I’ve looked at the dates and I’d be in school for the very first day if successful but would then need the next 3 days off (traveling down, staying overnight, wedding next day, staying overnight and traveling home day after wedding as it is some distance away). I am also her bridesmaid so I can’t miss it and everything is booked and paid for.

Even though it’s pre booked would it be a problem especially being the first week of term? Baring in mind I can’t change it the way you can with a holiday, it’s out of my hands. Also, at the time of the wedding I would have been employed for almost a year if I got the school job, it wouldn’t be like I’d be starting the job then so they would already know me.

Any advice please, especially if you’re a teacher or know someone who has been in a similar situation.

Thanks

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 15/07/2025 13:14

You can't take holiday during term time.

Original poster
AlertRubyTurtle · 15/07/2025 13:15

I know. That is not what I was asking.

OP posts:
anniegun · 15/07/2025 13:16

You cant get an answer here, you will have to ask your prospective employer. It will probably depend on how many applicants they have and how much they want you if you did get the job.

waryandbored · 15/07/2025 13:17

I am a teacher and have had unpaid days off for a wedding. I gave them plenty of notice and prepared cover and it wasn’t an issue (apart from not being paid!).
With the start date, I doubt they will wait for you if they need to fill the position. Is it a teaching role you are applying for? You might be better off looking at January start jobs if you can?

Martymcfly24 · 15/07/2025 13:17

Is there an option for unpaid leave or using parental leave (teacher but not in UK )

catchingzzzeds · 15/07/2025 13:18

If it’s already booked then I think they have to honour it. Even if that’s not the case legally, I think most schools would allow it as a one off seeing as it’s already booked.

BlueRin5eBrigade · 15/07/2025 13:19

Don't work as a TA. You are a qualified teacher. SLT with treat you like a qualified teacher irrespective of your job role. Your basically fleecing yourself out if money.

I wouldn't apply for jobs with a September start date of you don't intend to start until Noveber or December. Personally,, i would temp and apply for jobs starting in January. You won't have a problem getting work.

My school would allow time off in term time as special / unpaid leave. I never had a problem getting special leave approved. You could also advise them that you need that time off during the interview stage.

HotCrossBunplease · 15/07/2025 13:21

Why would you want to be a teaching assistant when you are already a qualified teacher? The money will be much worse, for a start.

As for your other questions, an early reply nailed it- depends massively on what the employer needs, how many good candidates are out there and how much they like you. There is no standard answer.

Original poster
AlertRubyTurtle · 15/07/2025 13:26

Thanks everyone.

I understand people wondering why I would want to become a TA when I’m a qualified teacher however it is because I have been in the early years sector for so long and feel I’d be naive jumping into a teaching role having not worked in a school or with that age for so long. Maybe it’s a confidence thing or maybe I’m overthinking. I might add my MIL works as a TA in a SEN school and said it would be far too much being a first time teacher with having a young child which has put doubts in my head.

Maybe I should be bank staff or return to my current job until the end of the year and hope to apply for school positions from January like mentioned. At least that would rule out my maternity leave problem and leave me with the wedding issue.

OP posts:
Michele09 · 15/07/2025 13:26

Apply any way and include all the info in a covering letter. That way you aren't wasting their or your time going to an interview for them to reject you when you ask on the day. My dh applied for a teaching job starting in Sept and arranged for a delayedJan start due to us relocating, selling, and buying a house. It was in a shortage subject in secondary though. I guess it depends on how many other quality applicants they get as to whether they will delay the starting date.

BlueRin5eBrigade · 15/07/2025 15:06

After maternity leave I took my accrued A/L. That was almost 6 weeks additional leave on full pay. I remember that if you took enhanced maternity pay you had to go back to work for 3 months or pay ot back in full. Did you get enhanced maternity pay?

SisSuffragette · 15/07/2025 15:13

The wedding wouldn't be a problem in my school, especially as it's already booked before you even get an offer. Just let them know before you start.. The maternity leave one is a different situation, you might have better luck with January starts

Casperroonie · 15/07/2025 19:34

AlertRubyTurtle · 15/07/2025 13:10

Hello, I’m looking for advice. Apologies for the long message.

I am a qualified primary teacher gaining QTS 5 years ago and since then have been working full time in a private nursery (at the time the early years sector appealed to me and I wanted to gain experience in this area).

In January I began maternity leave after having my first baby.

Now that I’m a mum the idea of returning to my current work place doesn’t appeal to me. The hours and days are long and besides that I think it would be too far to travel with having my own child now especially with dropping off / picking up from nursery when she starts (when I started working there I lived much closer with my parents).

I was actually hoping to transition into a school job which would obviously be term time, particularly special educational needs schools as this sector interests me. There are several schools local to me taking on for September for teaching assistant roles (which I would want before thinking of becoming a teacher as it would give me experience).

I have 2 problems. Firstly, I will still be on statutory maternity leave until October, but was hoping to take an extra month and return to work November time. Would this be an issue if the start date is advertised as September?

Secondly, which I think is a bigger problem, my childhood best friend is getting married next September 2026 and typically has booked it midweek the first week of term. I’ve looked at the dates and I’d be in school for the very first day if successful but would then need the next 3 days off (traveling down, staying overnight, wedding next day, staying overnight and traveling home day after wedding as it is some distance away). I am also her bridesmaid so I can’t miss it and everything is booked and paid for.

Even though it’s pre booked would it be a problem especially being the first week of term? Baring in mind I can’t change it the way you can with a holiday, it’s out of my hands. Also, at the time of the wedding I would have been employed for almost a year if I got the school job, it wouldn’t be like I’d be starting the job then so they would already know me.

Any advice please, especially if you’re a teacher or know someone who has been in a similar situation.

Thanks

As a TA you might get away with it if you're lucky but as a teacher it'll be a no 99% likelihood.

Ladyluck22 · 15/07/2025 19:37

In my department in a school we have recently had a new member of staff start with holiday already booked in term time which we has been agreed to her taking when she stared, but she will not be payed.

Merryoldgoat · 15/07/2025 19:43

Depends entirely on the school. We would allow it and one day would be paid.

We are independent however. State schools are less flexible I know.

Housebuyer22 · 15/07/2025 19:46

SEN teacher in a SEN school here.

Tell them at interview the dates and if a decent school, they will honour it unpaid.

MalcolmMoo · 15/07/2025 19:47

My brother is a teacher and they get 3 days holiday they can take term time. But speaking to other teachers not all schools offer this.

So I think it will really depend on the school.

GinLover198 · 15/07/2025 19:48

Depending on where you’re applying, you might be asked to declare if leave is required when applying. I had to do this previously - my requested leave was honoured as it was planned prior to my appointment. In my case, I worked part time & work was quite happy for me to work a different work pattern that week instead of unpaid leave. However, the maternity leave is a different issue. I applied for a new post when on mat leave. I enquired about start date (hoping I could delay) but this wasn’t an option therefore, to accept the job, I had to agree to return from mat leave earlier than I’d hoped (DD 11m old at the time). In my case it was a compromise I was willing to make as the job was closer to home & would make a huge difference to work / life balance.

WhatHaveIDone21 · 15/07/2025 19:51

I had a week off for my own wedding as it was booked before I had even finished my PGCE (I’m a teacher in a state school). It wasn’t a problem and my school were lovely. I can’t remember if I told them at my interview or when I was offered the job (it was many years ago!) but they definitely knew about it before I accepted the position.

WonderingWanda · 15/07/2025 19:52

In my school you can get one day for a wedding they wouldn't give you travel time as well.

TheGoodHuman · 15/07/2025 19:58

In the school I used to work in, we would have 100% still hired you if we liked you!

Mumofteenandtween · 15/07/2025 19:58

Merryoldgoat · 15/07/2025 19:43

Depends entirely on the school. We would allow it and one day would be paid.

We are independent however. State schools are less flexible I know.

Actually that has just put an idea in my head - private schools often start back a bit later than state schools so might be worth investigating jobs with them.

Justanotherteacher · 15/07/2025 20:10

if you’re worried about coping, have you considered looking for a part time teacher job? I’m not sure, but how would the salary of a 0.8 teacher compare to what you would get as a full time TA?

Also, the three days off unpaid would be honoured at my school.

Welshmonster · 15/07/2025 20:11

The wedding will be fine as you just tell them once offered the job. I wouldn’t sweat it. If they say absolutely not then would you want to work somewhere so inflexible. It would likely be unpaid.

TA pay is rubbish for what they do and many are acting as teachers on TA wages.

you need to check with current employer if you need to return to work for a set period as in most state schools, you need to return for 13 weeks if you take enhanced maternity pay or you have to pay it back.

you could volunteer in schools if you have some childcare and see if you even want to be a TA or teacher. Then apply for January starts.

Ibelievetheworldisburningtotheground · 15/07/2025 20:12

Can you do Supply?