Leaving after maternity leave

[Unsureteacher]

I've name changed for this as I can't risk it coming back to me. I'll also need to be a bit vague on the details - I don't mean to drip feed but can't publicly discuss everything.

I'm currently on maternity leave but my school is going through a restructure. When I go back I'll have lost my TLR and although my pay is protected I won't have my role and I'll be back to being a classroom teacher.

I've been getting gradually less and less happy at this school after being there for some time and wouldn't be against leaving - this latest development has pushed me even further towards going. I know if I hand in my notice before October half term I'll have to repay my maternity leave - I don't think it's an option but if we could find the money, is this a really shitty thing to do? Is there an etiquette around it?

Similarly, there may be a possibility I may be able to negotiate a release from my contract (so the school don't have to pay my TLR whilst paying someone else to do what is effectively my job). If I was able to do this but applied for other jobs before approaching the school, would I be landing myself in it, assuming a new school would contact my old school for references etc?

My role & subject is fairly few and far between, so if I don't get a new job for September I will likely need to stay at my current school for another year and look for next September. There have been big changes in leadership so I don't know how happy I'll be going back.

I'm really unsure on what to do and would appreciate some advice.

I think being paid a TLR while not actually having any responsibilities and just being a classroom teacher after maternity leave would be ideal, tbh. More money, no responsibility versus having to repay enhanced maternity pay plus lower salary at new school?

How bad are things in terms of the new leadership and workload? Is this your first maternity leave? Going back to work after your first child is very different, I found, your priorities change. You won’t have a TLR so you’ll have very little direct dealing with SLT, could you just keep your head down, do the job, go home and see your baby, while pocketing the extra cash?

I've heard from a few trusted colleagues that the new leaders are awful. It's very much a case of "if your face fits". I don't know if my face will fit but I imagine as a new mum it won't.

Yes, first maternity leave. I anticipate things will change although I know I won't know what its like until I go back. DH has a long commute so pick up from nursery, DD's dinner etc will be down to me so I need to be home for that.

On paper I can definitely see the advantages but I'm worried that it'll be bad for my career. Eventually when I want to look for an SLT position I know I would want it in another school and I don't know how this will look on my CV.

The other (more pressing) issue is that the school have real problems hiring staff and likely won't have anyone to take this new role (that includes my TLR) so I will likely be pressured bullied into doing the work without being given the time for it, on the premise that I'm still being paid for it.

God these are super long, sorry!

Is it a LA school? Because if so, moving schools within the same LA wouldn’t affect your maternity pay, as you would have the same employer.

Sorry for slightly hijacking as I can't help, but why would you have to repay your maternity pay? I'm planning on leaving my job whilst being paid maternity leave/as soon as my maternity leave has finished. I thought that legally your employee had to give you maternity pay even if you leave the company?

*employer

@fizziclesno it's an academy, part of a large MAT.

@itallhappensforareasonI would need to repay my enhanced maternity pay, which would be the difference between statutory pay and 50% for 12 weeks. It's not my whole maternity pay but a significant chunk that I can't afford

unsureteacher ahhh ok, that makes sense. I was panicked for a moment there! I hope it all works out for you whatever you choose.

Thanks

I've not experienced your situation but I wouldn't think 1 or 2 yrs post baby as a class teacher (rather than with responsibility) will negatively affect your career.

You only need to return for a set amount of time to avoid paying back your OMP. I believe it's 13 weeks, but it's worth checking your contract. The 13 weeks includes holidays too.

Is it a largish MAT? Any chance of future promotion as MAT grows? The leaders may not quite live up to their reputation. It's always the most difficult time when new leadership takes hold. May be worth holding on, enjoy your protected pay for a while? Landscape maybe very different in a year? Really hope things work out for you. Sometimes the thought of it it worse than the reality! (Apologies if that was massively patronising, but been through a couple of MAT takeovers and know that feeling of the unknown well! Compounded by going back after maternity as well, a nightmare!)

@sakura06 it is 13 weeks. I will have done 7 before September and can hand in my notice by the October deadline if I find a new job. I'm keeping an eye out although I think its clear I have to go back in September.

@kirta its a huge MAT, and they way things are I don't want progression there. It's a different school to the one I joined and I don't see a future there. I think I just have to bide my time, keep my head down and be patient.

Ah. It's always hard seeing things change from what you've enjoyed. Really hope you find something you love as much, or more!

Thank you, I put a lot into that school but I got a lot out of it too. I'm a considerably better teacher and I have lifelong friends from working there. Hopefully the grass will be greener.

It might be worth discussing with your union about resignation dates. I believe it is possible to resign at other times.

Depending on the age of your baby, you could look for a new job in September. If you stay in education, you shouldn't have to pay back OMP. If there was a risk of having to pay it back, you could go back to work after May half term and you'll do your 13 weeks before August 31st.

Any chance of redundancy if they're restructuring?

While they're still paying the tlr they can still ask you to do commensurate duties.