I'm working at a school that I initially hated but I'm getting used to it and very much enjoy many things about the school, particularly the working culture. Frankly it's an easy place to work but there is quite a lot of 'noise' from a few colleagues and I'm not sure I think the children's experience is as warm and nurturing as it should be.
Anyway I've been offered a new longer term position in a year group that I love and can teach in my sleep with a small head of department role.
So my dilemma arises because I have already applied for another post at a school that I love for many reasons. I was asked by the head to apply (I worked there briefly in the past). However it is not in a year group I enjoy (early years) and involves a more significant leadership role. It would be a learning curve to feel confident taking full responsibility for an early years class and comes with more responsibility and a significantly bigger workload. I have spent time in eyfs before (ppa cover mostly) but never came away loving it and feeling that it is my natural fit. However I do somewhat like the idea of a challenge. This job will probably pay more money but I doubt a lot more.
So would you choose the low stress role in a school that's far from perfect or the demanding role in a school that is great? I also know that the early years role will be a good thing to have on my cv, but it feels like a huge transition (I'm scared I will feel like an nqt as far a the teaching goes and will be a line manager for the first time) . I know if the role was with ks1 or ks2 I would jump at it.