Ideal job has come up - deadline after 31st May

[blackcoffee]

I'm on maternity cover at a school where I'm unhappy. It was extended a while ago to a permanent jobshare. I was pleased to have a job, and at that point more optimistic things could change. I now have no conviction that they will.
In the circumstances would it be foolish to sound out HT about possibility of applying for a job after official deadline, and ask for discretion to hand in notice 2 weeks late? or should I just hang in there til Xmas. My perm contract doesn't start til July, I don't know if that makes any difference.

So you're currently on a temp contract? I think you could legally hand your notice in after the deadline (but check your contract); however, if the other job is local, Heads talk and it might look a bit unprofessional.

If you're really unhappy, is it worth handing your notice in anyway? Can you take that risk?

Well it's not very clear from the paperwork I have. It will go down like a lead balloon I'm sure and I may not get new job at all, so yes I have to be prepared to just go. Maybe I should just man up and go in any case. On time. And then look for something else.

That's what I would do. But you'll have to do it by tomorrow wouldn't you? Or can you hand your notice in during the school holidays?