As a parent, what would you honestly think if your child's primary teacher said they were going job share?

[Caz10]

I always thought I was going back FT but now it looks like PT may be an option...due to various things like long term sick, NQTs etc our school staff has been a bit unstable for a few years - I feel guilty in adding to that and I got the impression it wasn't popular with the parents when it was announced I was pg. I know it shouldn't be my concern, but it is a worry to me...if your child's teacher changed to a job-share set up, what would you honestly think?

When I have done job shares we have done an enormous amount of unpaid time! Regular meetings in the holidays to plan, both turning up for a special assembly etc. When it works well it is to the children's advantage.

AbbeyA I am with you on that, in my last job share I was working the other 2 days on a temp contract, so working 5 days altogether and I had SO much more work because of the extra effort we put into job share liaison. That is actually something putting me OFF going back job share - it might actually be just as much work as 5 days on my own!

I was alarmed when this happened to me but my fears were completely unfounded. It worked really well. I've had this happen twice now.

I don't see why children should get confused. They have 2 parents (usually don't start!) and will only play them off against one another if they're allowed to get away with it. Same goes at school. Anyway, there are always a variety of different adults in and around the average KS1 classroom, what with LSAs and helping parents etc.. And at the top of KS2, it's a preparation for secondary when they're going to have loads of different teachers within a school day. Caz10, don't for one minute let perceived disapproval from a bunch of people who you'll never see again in a few years influence a vital life-balance choice you need to make. Your own child and personal circumstances count first and foremost. If you get the chance, grab it. Why should primary teachers not be allowed to work part-time when other professions can? In my experience it works fine.

Another good thing about a job share is that teachers have expertise in different subject areas, you can't be wonderful at everything (well most people can't). I am very weak in music, I am tone deaf, so it is much better for the children to have a job share partner who is good at the subject. I love doing art, a lot of teachers aren't keen because they don't like the mess! If a job share works well you can split the work according to strengths.
Probably one of the best things is that by the time one teacher is getting a bit jaded half way through the week, the partner comes in fresh and enthusiastic!
For the children job sharing teachers can be a big advantage; so parents shouldn't view it in a negative light until they have seen how it works.

Bogwoppit - I think your issue is more to do with poorly managed supply teaching for an ill teacher - whould have applied whether it was a job share or not (see the epxeprience that Aimsmum had).

Ds had a job share in P1 and it was brilliant: I would go as far as to say it was his best year's teaching so far. The only year we have had a complaint has been this year, P3; if he had had a job share, we would have been able to talk to someone else and possible get the support of the "other" teacher to show it wasn't just us as "pushy" parents who feel ds has not been stretched this year. (it's not just us: there are other parents who are equally concerned abut this particular teacher's lack of "stretching" the kids in their numbers)

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my ds1 (reception) has two teachers. One works mon, tue, fri and the other wed, thurs.

He also has two TA - one works mornings and the other afternoons.

As you can see there is alot of mixing and matching!!!

I have not experienced any problems at all.

at my dc's school (90 pupils altogether) only 3 teachers incl. the head work f/t so having two teachers is completely normal IMO. I really like it - actually, I prefer it to having just the one teacher because you get someone coming in mid-week who's well-rested and with fresh ideas and/or a slightly different approach.

The dc always love each one equally

I would think, lucky job-sharers!!
dd was taught by job sharers, it wasn't an issue. Primary school teachers in the UK often put in 200% anyway.

DD is at a very small school (whole school in one classroom). The HT teaches 3 days a week and another teacher comes in for two days. I think it's good as they both have different strengths.
They also have other teachers coming in each week to teach music, french, IT, art and PE and it works very well.

My DC have had job shared classes and my aunt job shares her primary class. I don't have a problem with it, in fact i think it makes a teacher look like they have a good work/life balance and spend alot of time with their kids.

I think having different teachers is a good thing. It's starting to happen mor ein primary schools due to some areas having specialist teachers. Works well all round.

My daughter started Reception last September and she has one teacher for 3 days and another teacher for 2 days. I was worried initially but both are brilliant teachers and it hasn't been an issue with DD1 (who NEEDS routine) at all.

There are 2 Reception classes and both classes have a job share. The teacher who does 2 days in my dd1's class also does 2 days in the other Reception class so that does offer some continuity.