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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Asking for part time job when advert is for full time

24 replies

TychosNose · 29/04/2016 20:34

I'm a returning science teacher (been out for 6 years having babies) and all the job adverts, of which there are plenty, are full time, but I only want to work part time.

When should I ask if they'll still consider me?

Should I contact them before I apply? Or at interview? Or after they offer me the job? (Optimistic, I know).

Part of me thinks "get them to like me first" but I also don't want to piss them off by wasting their time.

OP posts:

Janek · 29/04/2016 20:39

I always apply for full time jobs and state in the application that i only want part time (and then specify what). You never know what they actually want, there might be a job and a bit, there might be someone in the dept who wants to go down to part time and employing you would mean they can.

This has twice led to me being interviewed, despite the fact that they hadn't read my application properly had no intention of offering anyone a part time role. I withdrew on both occasions...

As a science teacher i would say you would be snapped up, part time or not.

Original poster

TychosNose · 29/04/2016 20:43

Thanks.
Can't believe they didn't read your application properly!

OP posts:

LillyBugg · 29/04/2016 20:49

You will be snapped up. Science teachers are like gold dust. I would say call and ask if it's worth applying as you can only do part time. If you rang my school we would take you, we advertise full time because it's what we need but if someone could offer a few days that would be better than no teacher at all! The teaching recruitment field is not what it was six years ago OP.

knitknack · 29/04/2016 20:57

Whereabouts are you? Not in East Anglia by any chance??! We need a part time science teacher :D

Original poster

TychosNose · 29/04/2016 20:59

Thanks. I'll call first and check then.
I like the idea of being like gold dust!

Can I ask, is your school a "challenging" one or are even good schools struggling to recruit science teachers? To

OP posts:

Original poster

TychosNose · 29/04/2016 21:00

Yorkshire.
Shame. East anglia's a bit far.

OP posts:

knitknack · 29/04/2016 21:01

LillyBugg · 30/04/2016 07:04

I work for one good school and one challenging. Both find it incredibly hard to recruit science teachers!

toobusytothink · 30/04/2016 07:08

I did this. Job was for a full time role. I emailed directly saying I was very interested but could only do xyz hours, attached my cv and said if they were still interested to email me. They initially declined, but after 1st round of interviews they hadn't found anyone so they called me in and I got the job. So do make sure you at least send them your cv so they have it on file - just in case ... Good luck op

hesterton · 30/04/2016 07:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thatone · 30/04/2016 07:16

Definitiely worth asking. When I did the pre-application visit to one school I asked about the possibility of part-time. The DH said to mention it in my covering letter. I did not get an interview but a few weeks later they emailed me about a different position that was PT which I then applied for.

Fleck · 30/04/2016 07:21

I'm a maths teacher and just got a part time job that was advertised as full time. I did already know the head of department so I emailed her before to see if they'd consider me and she checked with the head. I also brought it up in interview because I wanted to be sure they really were happy with part time (the job includes a TLR). Working for a head who doesn't like part time is crap, so I wanted reassurance this really wouldn't be an issue for them.

Original poster

TychosNose · 30/04/2016 11:53

Thanks for all the replies.
I'll call some on Tuesday and see what they say.

OP posts:

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 30/04/2016 15:03

Yes why not just ask?
Since you don't want the job anyway if its FT, nothing to lose.
In this area every school is advertising for Maths teachers - 0ne of them for four , so anyone with a pulse is in with a chance. If they get a good candidate for PT, likely to grab you and ask you to name your price

Good luck!

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 30/04/2016 15:04

Sorry - just seen you are science.
But still - just ask!

SisterViktorine · 01/05/2016 10:20

I have got the hours I wanted in my last two jobs this way. I write that I want part time at the head of my covering letter and ask that they only consider me if it could be accommodated.

I would do this rather than phone and ask because then they have your CV in front of them. It would be easy to say 'no' on the phone, whereas when they have your lovely, glossy record sat in front of them they are much more likely to think they will at least see you.

Stargazing25 · 02/05/2016 16:47

Yep, same for me. I apply for a full time job but state I want part time. I got my current part time job doing that. No harm in asking!

GinandJag · 02/05/2016 21:23

Be upfront about your part-time requirements.

t4gnut · 03/05/2016 15:54

Assuming secondary as science - Biology, Chemistry or Physics?

If Physics you can ask for whatever you want because they're as rare as hens teeth.

HostaFireandIce · 10/05/2016 14:09

The school I work at has employed a couple of people who did exactly this. I think sometimes schools try to cobble together a full time role because that's what they think people want (the school I work for does this too, e.g. we only need this many periods really, but we could give them some PSHE and some Games and make it full time) - some may be more than happy to find someone whom they actually only have to pay for the number of periods they need.

Original poster

TychosNose · 10/05/2016 15:40

Thanks for the replies.
Yes I'm physics and we are rare! Good for me cos I'm a bit crap so don't need the competition!
I have had one place just say "no we want full time" and one place say "yes to 0.6" so I applied and I now have an interview next week. Hooray!
I have one more school to try who specifically want a physics specialist so I'm going to see if they'll be flexible too.
Fingers crossed.
sister thanks for the tip about putting it on the cover letter about part time. Wasn't sure what exactly to say or whether to put it in the cover letter or personal statement.

OP posts:

SisterViktorine · 10/05/2016 19:16

I have managed to get school-run friendly 9.30 - 2.30 in my last 2 jobs. If you don't ask you don't get.

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 10/05/2016 19:25

I have managed to get school-run friendly 9.30 - 2.30 in my last 2 jobs. If you don't ask you don't get
Completely agree!!!
I worked in industry and negotiated a work at home and term-time only arrangement in what was generally a male dominated office environment by... asking. (Pleasantly, and assuming the answer would be 'yes')
(And hiding astonishment when they agreed )
Have applied the lessons learned to supply, and now have a good batch of schools paying me a good daily rate.
YOU are in a strong negotiating position, YOU are a scarce resource -do not sell yourself short!
As long as you are pleasant and business-like and firm, they are likely to accede to your reasonable requests. They know only too well that if they don't the next school will, and they will lose out.

foldvamiwhat1982 · 13/05/2016 08:53

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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