Job advertised as fixed term but is actually temporary

[rainbowfudgee]

Today I went for a tour around a school I'm really interested in - for a 0.6 maternity cover. Advert said fixed term part time. I asked the head at the end when the teacher on maternity would be returning- he said he doesn't know. I phoned the office just now and the admin staff said they thought it was temporary. There is also a full time job advertised (fixed term for one year) but I don't think I can manage full time.
What should I do?

Take the maternity cover.

I've been on a permanent contract for the last 10 years so temporary is scary!

Should also say she is about to go on mat leave in Maybit the job starts in September so it definitely won't be a full year.

May but

I'm not understanding what you are asking to be honest? Fixed term and temporary pretty much mean the same thing. We usually use fixed term when we know it's how long it will be for and will end ie in the case of maternity leave but it's still a temporary job.

Head may not know how long she plans to be off for as if it's anything like my school nobody likes to ask a woman's plans on when she returns. Likely they will give you 6 months initially then see where you are. It's also normal to manage on supply or if you are secondary on excess teachers through yr 11 exams so not starting contract till September makes economic sense. Plus there is a better chance of getting an NQT in September which would be cheaper for the school.

Sorry I meant that fixed term surely means by definition that the duration of the contract is known... I'd be gutted to start the job then be given a month's notice and have to leave.
I think for me personally I need to know that I have work for at least a year, supply doesn't mix well with childcare arrangements unfortunately.

Surely all maternity cover roles have an uncertain end date?

I'm really confused too. Aren't fixed term and temporary the same thing?

These terms can sometimes be used interchangeably. But actually they can also mean different things, what I think the op means is that fixed term is for example 2 exact terms with a completion date whereas temporary doesn't have a completion date and can stop at any time which is an added uncertainty.

Yes, I understand that, but my point is that maternity cover surely has an uncertain end date by definition, because women only need to give 8 weeks notice of their intended return to work. Obviously, fixed term contracts for other reasons are probably more predictable.

I can understand your concern as if the teacher is going off in May they could be back as early as January and you therefore only get one term, or the end of the Spring term so you'd be working nearly two terms and most likely not even be paid over the Easter holidays!
Not sure what I'd recommend you do, but can understand your hesitance!

Ahh I see.

If you can't manage the full time I'd take the mat cover. I know lots of people who were nervous of taking mat cover roles but it worked out brilliantly because either the person didn't come back or, if the school likes you they'll probably try to keep you.

This sounds like my maternity cover! I’m leaving in May - they have options in school to cover until the end of the year then maternity cover 0.6 from September until I return. I’m taking 2.5 terms so will be back after Easter. I would say a 2nd time Mum (which is probably why they are part time - statistically) is more likely to take closer to a year due to childcare costs (obviously not in all cases!).
But I’m with you - I’d be far happier taking a fixed term than a temporary contract. Could you ask if there is potential to make it a fixed term (so they have you in for a minimum of 2 terms regardless of teacher returning) - they may consider it for the right candidate (we struggle to recruit at our good/outstanding school). Otherwise I’d weigh up how much you want/need part time. More opportunities are likely to come up in the next few weeks as well.