Maternity leave as a Deputy Headteacher

[WC66]

Hi,

I am looking for whether anyone else has been in this experience and how they've found it?

I am really worried about what will happen to my job after mat leave.

I know I am very valued at my work place as we are a small school and I have implemented big changes. However, whilst I am on leave we are converting to an academy and obviously someone else will fill in my role.

I understand that it's probably normal stress to be worried about being replaced, but at the moment, I just can't shake it.

I really want to come back part time after my mat leave, and I would hope the HT would be supportive. However, I don't know my rights on this and whether they're different as a member of SLT.

Any help, advice or shared experiences would be really appreciated.

Thank you

The most important thing is to check your rights. I would suggest starting with talking to your union or checking their website. Whether you will be able to come back part time may come down to the business need of the school. In a small school, this can be more challenging - how would you think the role be fulfilled on your non-working days etc?

Im an assistant head, my head was supportive regarding part time but my remits would be different. However, I am not sure if they have to grant you part time, check with your union.

Thanks so much for replying.
I expect my role to change a little and I'm absolutely okay with that.
How do you find being part time and an assistant head? How many days do you do?

Thank you for this
I am currently teaching a few days and out of class the others, so if I didn't go back into class and just did my out of class days, it would absolutely work.
The conversation later down the line will absolutely have to happen, it's just good to hear if others have had similar experiences also and how it's worked for them.

I haven’t started yet, I’m on maternity. I’m not sure if I’ll go back full or part time. Head was supportive and understood that until your baby is here it’s hard to know what you want to do. I’m sure you can make it work, but it would be better to not be in a pastoral role.