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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:
Umidontknow · 15/07/2025 20:14

AlertRubyTurtle · 15/07/2025 13:15

I know. That is not what I was asking.

So what are you asking? You want 3 days off in term time? And yes I would think starting a job in November would be a problem when they advertised for a September start. You can give it ago, but you need to make them aware of that from the start. How do you think they will staff the role for 2 months?

itsgettingweird · 15/07/2025 20:17

In the school I’ve worked in (also special) it’s never been a problem for pre booked holidays to be taken when you’ve taken the job.

But we also have a really good HT who has allowed staff term time off to take children to national sports competitions etc.

Horserider5678 · 15/07/2025 20:21

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

If you get invited to interview it’s pretty standard to ask the interviewee if they have any planned leave in the future. If they don’t you can mention it when they ask if you have any questions. The sticking point maybe that you can’t/unable to start when they want you to. Also has your current employer paid you any pay over statutory maternity pay? If they have you may find you either have to go back for a set length of time or pay back what you’ve been paid by them.

Makingpeace · 15/07/2025 20:23

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.

Yeah this is what I would do too.

Do some short term or day to day supply work when you first return to work.
Apply for teaching roles that start Jan 2026.
Request Special Leave (unpaid) for the September 2026 dates.

WhenYouSayNothingAtAll · 15/07/2025 20:24

As a TA , you could be afforded more flexibility. They will probably give you the time off, unpaid.Can you afford to be a TA though? The wages are a lot lower than teacher wages. Do the interview and be upfront both about your starting date and the time off you’ll need Sept 2026. They have a choice then , whether to hire you or not.

Makingpeace · 15/07/2025 20:25

Umidontknow · 15/07/2025 20:14

So what are you asking? You want 3 days off in term time? And yes I would think starting a job in November would be a problem when they advertised for a September start. You can give it ago, but you need to make them aware of that from the start. How do you think they will staff the role for 2 months?

Show quote history

Supply agency staff - supply TA roles.

LimitedBrightSpots · 15/07/2025 20:28

There is a massive shortage of teaching staff. If this is a problem for one school, it certainly won't be a problem for another.

Supply teachers exist because teaching staff are human and sometimes need time off during term time for all sorts of reasons.

FortheloveofCheesus · 15/07/2025 20:32

Id plan to start a school job after christmas.

Whippetlovely · 15/07/2025 20:33

AlertRubyTurtle · 15/07/2025 13:15

I know. That is not what I was asking.

They have to honor already booked leave. I worked in a school and had a week off holiday as it was already booked. I don't think they would want to wait two months for you to start though so someone wanting a Sept start would get the job

Whippetlovely · 15/07/2025 20:38

Makingpeace · 15/07/2025 20:25

Supply agency staff - supply TA roles.

Show quote history

This costs the school a hell of a lot more money so someone willing to start September will get the job over waiting 2 months and paying twice the cost for a supply.

CanOfMangoTango · 15/07/2025 20:42

Pre booked holidays wouldn't be a problem in my school, but it's unlikely more than one day would be paid.

Best of luck.

Horsemadlady1234 · 15/07/2025 20:44

In a teacher sister got married abroad all booked but because I had to take more than one day it was a hard no. Had it been for anyone other than close family I wouldn’t have been offered the day. To add in in a normally very considerate school but they took the stance that she knows I’m a teacher and if wanted me there should have been booked in holiday time. So in the end missed it all

Lockdownsceptic · 15/07/2025 20:45

WallaceinAnderland · 15/07/2025 13:14

You can't take holiday during term time.

This.

Makingpeace · 15/07/2025 20:49

Whippetlovely · 15/07/2025 20:38

This costs the school a hell of a lot more money so someone willing to start September will get the job over waiting 2 months and paying twice the cost for a supply.

Show quote history

Indeed. So the likelihood of the OP getting the role and not starting until Nov/Dec is slim-to-none, especially with budgets as they are.

TheLemonLemur · 15/07/2025 20:50

What's supply work like in your area anyone you can chat to about this? You are doing yourself out of money working as a TA when you are a qualified teacher - supply might be a better option depending on your finances a bit more flexibility plus less preparation and marking. I work part time and then do supply in other schools my days off it's a good balance

Emonade · 15/07/2025 20:51

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

you cant apply for a September position and start in November no school would do this and it would be highly unlikely you could take the time off for a wedding, although I have worked with teachers who have had the first week off for something but it does not look good or go down well and I don’t think it is good for the kids and you won’t get paid

Sunshineismyfavourite · 15/07/2025 20:57

If you are a great candidate then the school may wait for you to start in October after your mat leave finishes. Also some schools do let staff have unpaid leave for things like weddings of close family etc - they reason that by not paying you they can pay a supply - so it may be possible.
You can only ask. I wouldn't let these two things put me off applying if you think the school is the right one for you.

LibbyL92 · 15/07/2025 20:59

Horsemadlady1234 · 15/07/2025 20:44

In a teacher sister got married abroad all booked but because I had to take more than one day it was a hard no. Had it been for anyone other than close family I wouldn’t have been offered the day. To add in in a normally very considerate school but they took the stance that she knows I’m a teacher and if wanted me there should have been booked in holiday time. So in the end missed it all

That’s horrific. Surely that would be down as a circumstance.

don't you get a certain amount of circumstance days a year?

CatKings · 15/07/2025 21:02

We used to honour prebooked holidays. The fact that you’ve come from a whole year job and not term time when you book it will look better too.

Justgorgeous · 15/07/2025 21:04

In our school we take unpaid leave, or time of in lieu.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 15/07/2025 21:06

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.

They do not have to 'honour it'

1AngelicFruitCake · 15/07/2025 21:08

In the state school I work in, 1 day should be ok but anymore would be a no.

Aitchemarsey · 15/07/2025 21:08

If they need someone for September, they'll need someone for September...

Isn't going from qualified teacher to term time only TA going to be a drop in salary of about 20k??

Matronic6 · 15/07/2025 21:09

I wouldn't apply for a post when you cannot start on the date. But realistically a lot of schools are relying on supply and agency TAs and LSAs. Due to the demands of the post jobs do come up.

You can also request unpaid leave if you do work in a school. This is entirely up to the discretion of the head. A lot of schools are showing more flexibility with this now due to staff well being and realising the need for some flexibility to retain decent staff. But if you are employed as agency staff as a lot of support staff are you don't actually need heads permission to go on holiday.

LittleCosette · 15/07/2025 21:10

Casperroonie · 15/07/2025 19:34

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

Show quote history

I’ve known countless people who have had unpaid time off for a wedding while I’ve been a teacher. My SIL had a week off paid to help her sister prepare for her wedding. It’s well worth asking.

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