0.9 as an NQT?

[Needmorewine]

Has anybody done this ? I am starting look at a jobs for September which seem to have started appearing in the last week on local council jobs page. I would like to be able to leave perhaps an hour early twice a week to pick my DD up. Would this equate to a 0.9 contract ? No idea if it will be allowed or not but thought I may as well give it a shot. I'm primary if that makes any difference.

Possible in theory, but do think very hard about how your application will be viewed. Weekly staff meeting is usually after school one day and what about parent consultations, open evenings and concerts? Removing yourself from school so early two days a week could be interpreted by many as a lack of commitment and flexibility so early in your career.

Teaching is not a family friendly profession :-(

As an NQT you are entitled to a 90% teaching load - you can always ask if you could have a couple of afternoons or mornings if they are able to timetable it.

I would interview then discuss it. If they like you enough they will sort something out.

So would most teachers in most schools. I think you might struggle to find a school willing to set a precedent by allowing this with you.

NQTs already have a lower timetable load, equivalent to 2 afternoons as week off, so asking for another two would be a pain for the school to cover and disruptive for the class because it's not a usual job share arrangement.

What is your bargaining position? Are you a maths specialist? Is there a severe shortage of primary teachers in your area? Otherwise why would they hire you over someone who isn't going to present timetable issues?

What DullUserName said.

I used to interview with my HT as part of my role on SLT and this kind of request would immediately put me off you. Teaching requires commitment and parents would be put off if you weren't there at the end of the day 2 days a week.

I can count on one hand the number of times I was able to collect my children from school since they have been at school (age 12 and 9) and each of those times I was actually off with back pain but needed to move and get out of the house. And even then I felt guilty.

Thank you for everyone who's got back to me. I'm primary MFL in an area with a primary teacher shortage so hopefully some bargaining power but do appreciate all the points raised !

I suppose I can always ask , nothing ventured nothing gained but realise schools may very well say no ! Out of interest would it be best to ask before going to interviews or wait until (if!!) I get offered a role & then try and negotiate something?

Shy kids get no sweets! Try. I'd ask for 0.8

Teachers leaving in droves.

@ shy kids get no sweets !

So who do you envisage will teach your class so you can leave early to pick your kids up? I think you either need to look for 0.6 or full time. If you want part time, go part time. If you want full time then go full time. Don't try and do both.

pottering at my placement school when teachers were out classes were covered by HLTAs who also did PPA cover or it was afternoons when they had PE and they had a PE teacher take the class . I'll ask that's all I can do and if they say no then completely fair enough and I'll then make the call whether I want to do 3/4 days or full time.

I've been teaching 10 years and have never heard of anybody doing this.

You can ask, but prepare to be rejected (especially as you're being quite specific about the working hours you want)

Your PPA time might be covered by TAs etc, but dismissing children at the end of the day and speaking to parents etc are all a massive part of your role too. You can't just expect TAs to pick up all that communication.

You'll also get slightly less PPA/NQT time yet they'll still have to find cover for your early finishes. That cover won't be in nice neat chunks either. It would actually be a massive PITA for the school.

Hi missclarke yes those are good points I hadn't thought of it like that ! I guess I'll see what comes up.

I doubt very much if it would be considered in the school where I work.

Even if our PPA is at the latter end of the afternoon class teachers still dismiss the class and see them out.
It would also impact on the days that staff meetings could be held.

Your NQT and PPA time will be covered by specific people or at a specific time. Timetabling in school is like a house of cards - there aren't just spare people floating around ready to cover you for the odd hour at the end of the day.

Also, you will need every second of your PPA and NQT time to try to stay on top if things.

I dont know if that's what you imagined but I really don't think you'll be able to use that time to pick up your DC.

To be honest, we're so desperate for staff in my school (secondary, London) we'd def consider

After school is also when a lot of important professional discussions happen - as an NQT you will need that time to go and seek advice and speak to other teachers or your mentor.

Most teachers work until 5.30-6ish - do you plan on picking up on your workload after your DD is in bed? Its fair enough if you do, just bare in mind you might find you dont "feel" like your doing a 0.9 contract and will actually just be being paid one tenth less and still doing the same amount of work, just at different times.

Why should teaching be such an unfamily friendly profession

It feels like the profession is stuck in the dark ages,it really does.

Not the fault of teachers -you need a better workload and less government meddling. But I think if people got out of the mindset of thinking it can't be done, then very positive changes could be made.

Teachers should be offered greater flexibility to offset the salary.

To be fair, im not sure many full time jobs let you out at 3.00pm...

I wasn't suggesting working full time. Just being more flexible with part time options

Our school finishes at 2.3o and the head is flexible depending on the day for you leaving e.g. Monday is no as it's cpd but everyone including SLT leave at 2.30 on a Friday.

Hi yes on placement I did 715-4pm worked through lunch generally other than one day when helped with a lunch club and on staff meeting days when I stayed until 5. I would literally shoot out at 4 collect DD (in nursery ten minutes away) and then spend time with her before starting work again every evening once she'd gone down. It did seem to work well and my mentor & school had no problems with the way I worked as I was getting everything done. It was just to see if there would be any chance of me collecting DD one or two days a week but I understand it's not likely but hey ho I did realise this when I went into teaching and it may mean we look into DH altering his working patterns and I get a job I love & school holidays with DD (and a not too shabby salary to pay for nice extras!).

Whats the latest you could pick her up? Because the hours youve just described are much more doable. Youre more likely to find a school that doesnt mind you leaving at 4 and working at home, than one that will let you leave earloer than the children. At least then youd be paid full time as well.

In theory, it seems just about feasible. However, no timetabler is going to give that much priority to NQT. It's a very big ask.