Would I be mad to leave and go on supply!

[user1463172942]

I have been a primary teacher for 4 years and with the same school since I was an NQT. I have 3 very young children, my youngest was only 6 months when I started my NQT year. After my first year school agreed to a 0.7 perm contract. I have asked about the possibility of reducing my hrs but school can't reduce them further fair enough.

The school is good to work at with nice staff and a nice head. It is in s very deprived area and we are undersubscribed so we get really difficult behaviour... we get kids that other schools won't find space for. This can be emotionally draining... think several can in class in local authority care, others on CIN etc plus high levels of SEN. It is intense during teaching hours. I have had good opportunities for professional development and this has not been hindered at all by being part time.

In the last year my marriage has ended, my middle child has had mental health probs and my mum has been diagnosed with cancer, she is undergoing a tough course of treatment. I have no childcare other than before and after school clubs. I have been off for a term with stress but am hoping to go back at some point in the summer term.

Even off work I am exhausted with everything and am seriously considering leaving and doing some very part time supply whilst looking for a job about 0.4-0.5.

My youngest starts primary school in sept and will have to go to wraparound 4 days per week with his dad recently left and grandma very ill. I've also not been at my best this year.

I feel like I should leave to help the kids get through all that has happened in the last year but can't imagine I'll ever find such a perfect part time job again. It's even close to home (4miles).

What would you do?

Our school rarely uses supply teachers now, due to the budget cuts.
A HLTA covers most classes, and TAs, PE specialists, drama specialists, and music specialists cover the rest.
At one time, we would have loads in the school, but not anymore, and I think it will always be this way from now on.

Have you thought of prison education, good pay, all year round and most don't take home work in the evenings. I have a few friends who teach basic skills and they only work 9-4pm etc

Most prison teachers have 3-4 day contracts or stipulate how many days they want. If hourly pay its usually more than supply but not limited to term time

Be careful!

Supply work is drying up as schools try to save money from shrinking budgets.

Have you thought about "downsizing" to HLTA?

I'd like to add my two pennies worth - my school also rarely uses supply cover now. 99% is done by HTLA's and pulling support teachers off support to cover. I started the year doing Year 1 support and PPA cover. I was then moved to Year 2 support - that lasted 2 weeks and now I'm covering aYear 3 class whose class teacher is signed off with stress. I'm an early years teacher (been teaching for 30 years, done all KS1 too), not KS2 but there is no money in the budget for a KS2 supply. I've looked at leaving and doing supply, but the numbers just don't add up for me.
If you're a single parent, no matter how bad it seems, a permanent contract is always better than supply. Your pension will seem a long way off to you, but believe me, it'll be that time in the blink of an eye and you'll regret not having one. At the moment you get paid if you're ill, move house (we get a moving day paid) etc. The stress of not getting paid for days you don't work will be worse than the stress you have now.
God luck with whatever you decide.