I guess you can't have it all...

[Mylifeasacactus]

Hi,

I hope it's ok to post here. I really need to vent and I'm unable to talk to my friends about this.

So, I'm currently on maternity leave. My DD is 10 weeks old and I have been really excited to visit my school and see my class. For context:
I am currently in my 3rd year of teaching- I work incredibly hard, each lesson observation I have had has been judged outstanding and I am keen to do the best I can for the children I work with. Before I went on mat leave I was in talks with the head teacher about career progression to middle leadership. She was incredibly nurturing and encouraging and I felt I had genuine support to take these next steps. Nothing was set in stone but I was given more responsiblity (mentoring/ writing a curriculum single handedly- I work in SEND/ creating assessment documents to record progress which the whole school now use.)
This head is new and on her first day I had to tell her I was pregnant. She has only ever known me pregnant.
I went in for a visit and it felt amazing to be back with the children and my collegues and I was very proud to show my DD off to everyone.
The guy covering my post while I'm off is lovely and really good at what he does. He has been offered a job for when I come back (not sure whose space he will take? Or if there is a vacancy?!) He mentioned to me that he is being encouraged to take on more responsibility and take a leadership role. He's keen to see where this will take him. I'm happy for him because he is great for the children and is an asset to the school.
On the way out the head called me in for a chat.
She basically said her plans for next year when I am back. She said any promotion is on hold as I want to come back 4 days and I would no longer be suitable. She said it with the view that I would be more focussed on family than work (both my husband and I are sharing child care) I understood the sentiment but felt really let down. She said she didn't realise how serious I was about promotion (we used to have weekly meetings about new initiatives etc- she was pretty serious about it!)
I feel like I have been gone 11 weeks and they have already forgotten about me. They've filled my position with someone who is great but they are replacing me with him.
I love my DD so much. I am finding being a mum hard and this has made me feel like I have to choose a job I love or family. I hate the position I've been put in.
I'm sorry for the long post and rant. I really want to enjoy the time with my DD but this visit has made me feel conflicted. Feel free to tell me to shut up!!

potteringalong I fully understand and appreciate that only this wasn't the case for me.
I was pregnant when the new head started. At 13weeks I had a very honest conversation with her about the future and going part time etc. She fully accepted it. She said he was pleased I was only dropping a day. After this I had weekly meetings with her for school improvements and cpd. Numerous times she expressed how I should be going for middle leadership roles. I only talk about progression as it's something slt have encouraged.

I am shocked by your last update . More so than anything else you've written. No way would I give up my mat leave early.

In regards to the pt. I never went out as exh wouldn't allow it and I've always been a bit jealous of those that did. I have managed to get promotion despite now being single with 2 v small DC.

I do know a teacher who was pt and with a repaonsibilty. It was a nightmare as she only got 0.6 if her TLR but was basically expected to do the whole job. It was apparently not possible to do a job share according to the school. Not sure if this was them or a problem with TLRs and pt?
If the above IS true, I can see it from a schools perspective too. I'm not sure. I am torn. As a HOD I find pt staff really hard work as groups need sharing and this year our timetable has been horrendous because of it. This pter is not or because of DC. Not that that should make a difference! Just trying to give a perspective as to why some schools don't like pt. I have seen it work v well at some schools mind.
But. I am surprised she voiced this to you! If you are the right person for the job, this of course is discrimination. I would be out of there as soon as you feel up to it. She has made her feelings clear. What's she going to say when you ask to go to sports day? Or an assembly? I am v thankful that I have a great Head who recognises I can do my job well and be sympathetic to what being a parent entails to.
Congrats on you baby! Enjoy your maternity. Good luck with finding a school that respects you

*too.

Lots of typos. Hopefully you get the gist. Brain fried after all the marking today....you sure you want to go back?

You're being discriminated against OP. Please take this further. There is no reason a (barely) part time teacher can't take on management responsibility.

I share a leadership position with another part time teacher. I'm 0.4 and she's 0.6.

This sort of shit makes my blood boil.

I wouldn't be agreeing to that. They were dismissive about your wish to progress in the job because you were going part time, but now that their decision (not yours) hasn't worked out well, they want you to come running back to help out? Don't give in your notice, but say firmly you're looking forward to resuming your role at the agreed time but until then you're not available.