Need time off during term time in school job

[AlertRubyTurtle]

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

I think the wedding in September would be much less of a problem for a TA than a teacher. It’s the timing that’s problematic. In primary, those first days and weeks of the school year are key to settling your class in and establishing rules and routines. A wedding in June or July is less of an issue for that reason.

I know not the point, but what about a term-time school nursery? That way, you’re a an early years teacher and not a TA? There must be some job-share part time roles?

I agree with a PP that said when you’re offered the job, explain the wedding right away and the need for time off. As others said, it’ll be unpaid.

Otherwise, there are jobs that are advertised throughout the year so go for a Jan start.

Oh my goodness what a lot of unravelling to be done. First of all if you have QTS why not apply for teaching job not TA.will get experience and schools want to take on ECTs.
You can't take hols in term time but you can apply for special leave. You just need to be honest and up front about this
Factor in the logistics of your babie's child care before you accept any job offer.

Find it very fishy that your MIL is telling you that… you should def apply as a teacher, maybe look for part-time? That way the money will be similar for less time working.

Yes I’ve known teachers do this too as holidays were already booked. It isnt impossible at all, despite many posters confidently saying it is.

Maybe it’s different in my area but jobs frequently come up as they are needed. Yes there will be more jobs for a September start but staff leave and children who need additional support move all the time and staff are needed to replace them or be employed to care for them. There would be no point applying for a September start if you aww few aren’t willing to start then as that’s when it’s needed. More jobs will come up! As for the holiday my school would be fine with pre booked event like this. It’s probably fairly individual though so you’d need to ask

You can actually if it’s something like a wedding or whatever.

I am a teacher (or was I guess). When I left teaching, I took a job as an Academic Support Mentor (TA grade, taking kids out of lessons to support them) but they wanted stuff from me way above my pay grade. They started asking me to plan lessons and take classes which I wouldn’t do as I wasn’t being paid enough. I’d be very wary of taking such a backwards step.

When I started my first teaching job, I missed my cousin’s wedding as I presumed I couldn’t take time off. Months later I found out I could have 😭 one of the other teachers in my department went abroad for two weeks for her mum’s wedding!

Regarding the start date, that would probably depend on the school. But as others have said, plenty of January start dates out there.

Teaching with kids of your own is not for the faint hearted though! That’s why I quit 🤣

I know, but why would they? Agency staff are expensive and it's a hassle the school could do with out. They have advertised a September start as that is when they need someone to start. And presumably it will be disruptive for the children even if they aren't the main teacher, especially in a SEN school. She maybe lucky if there are very few applicants, but otherwise it would likely rule her out. She would be better extending maternity leave and applying for January start dates.

Precisely, they would be stupid to. I was answering the poster that asked what they'd do to cover the first 2 months if they did offer OP the job, which will be unlikely.

The course of action I suggested to the OP was this (copied from my post up thread):

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.

Very rare in teaching! I work in a lovely school who are always very accommodating around children my parents illness but it’s policy

If you’re going to want time off during term time then you cannot work in a school. Teachers have to get married in the holidays, pay a premium by holidaying during school holidays. Dental appointments, unless and emergency, have to be at ranged for the holidays etc, etc, etc. A teacher is allows one day off in term time to move house. It is that rigid. Attending a friend’s wedding is a frivolous reason for time off during term time. Mention this wedding and wanting time off when you attend the interview and see how it goes down.

You could take it as unpaid parental leave

I personally think you are doing the right thing. I would apply for the jobs, be honest and up front about your pre booked holiday and see what happens. It is definitely not unheard of.

Working in a special school is quite different to mainstream and you may find as a TA you will get more experience and confidence and look at applying for HLTA or teacher jobs as they come up. Whilst the pay is awful I think gaining experience as a TA first would give you the knowledge of whether working in that special school is for you. I love teaching in special schools but I am so glad I was able to get experience as a volunteer in one before I taught in one. It is not for everyone!

You apply for that in advance and your work can decline it for staffing reasons like requesting AL. It would be the same as asking for AL.