PT NQT - Getting so disheartened!

[Tiggywinkler]

Hi all.

I'm a older than average primary NQT who graduated in October after retraining from another career.

I had a baby in January, so haven't yet worked beyond a couple of months supply before I got too pregnant to teach.

I must have applied for 30+ PT jobs with no luck yet, and I'm getting so disheartened. Without blowing my own trumpet too much, I'm good, my observations have always been good/outstanding, I work hard, and I've had my applications checked by a friend who is a secondary head of dept.

Am I deluding myself by thinking I'll get anything? I've been offered several FT positions (each of my placement schools have offered me positions), but there's just nothing PT and I've got 2 under 2.

Should I give up for now and just do supply? Does anyone near Birmingham want to job share? I'm nice, I promise!

Any advice would be very welcome.

Are the ft jobs you've been offered to start in September? I never thought I'd go back full time with small children, but I did when DS was 1.

With good childcare (we had a nanny who brought her own child so costs were a little lower), maybe you could manage the full time post.

If you really, really want to teach, that is...

They are for Sept, yes. DH and I have discussed PT vs FT so much, and while I LOVE teaching,

Do supply and I am sure you'll be offered long term part-time that could move onto contract...that's how I ended up in my part-time job.Good luck.

Oops, posted too soon while BFing!

While I LOVE teaching, the guilt of leaving my babies would be too much at stage. DD was in FT nursery while I finished my placements and it was so, so hard. I don't think I can do it with DS (12 weeks) too.

Thank you Doo - that's good to hear!

One head, while trying to convince me to work for her FT, told me that she'd never hire an NQT who had been working supply, and her comments have stayed in my mind.

It's good to hear she's not necessarily speaking for all heads!

Nope...quality teaching speaks for itself and any decent Head recognises it wether thru supply or usual routes.

I ma a supply teacher who like you retrained after another career.
Have as much work as I want , now go mostly to the same few schools, so get to know kids, teachers etc and have been offered perm jobs in all of those, which I politely decline, because I enjoy the freedom to work when I want ( which is every day, but if I feel like a duvet day I can have one)
Good luck!

I qualified in 2008, after a part-time course. Moved from one end of the country to the other and still haven't found a part-time job!

How many days a week do you want?

Polish your CV and start sending it out. Target a) local schools which you admire and b) schools which are advertising vacancies, even full time. You might find that the school is advertising FT but only needs PT to balance the curriculum.

You will need to hold your nerve. Your goal is to land upon the desk of a HT who has received an unexpected resignation too close to 31 May to advertise, and this is a numbers game.

Consider too that unless you are slotted into a job share, you won't get your own class and will probably be used for PPA cover. What is your subject specialism? MFL, music and PE would be desirable in this instance.

Oh, and get your ear to the ground regarding local schools - join parents' FB groups, for example.

If you hear of a resignation, or a last-minute bulge class being assembled, immediately fire off a CV.

One more and then I promise I'll shut up - are there any schools near you with co-located private nurseries (state or independent)? If so, would you consider FT if the DC were on the same site as you?