When to ask for part-time return after mat leave

[Marriageoftrueminds]

Hi all,

I’ve read loads online but can’t find the answer to this question so hoping some of you clever bods might know!

I’m a primary teacher on a permanent full-time contract and am about to start my maternity leave. After my 52 weeks I want to return part-time. I’m aware that they don’t have to grant me this but what I don’t know is WHEN I’m meant to ask about going back part-time?

My headteacher left at the end of August just gone, and she said I would need to ask the new head (who starts this September). Should I approach her as soon as this term starts, i.e a year before I want to return? Is there an official deadline to make this request? I don’t really know the new headteacher and would ideally like to get to know her (by taking baby in, etc etc) before making this request.

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

I’d say by Christmas in order to give the head plenty of time to plan for hiring a job share or rearranging classes or whatever needs to happen. They can refuse you part time for business reasons like they haven’t got enough time to hire a job share so leave them plenty of time.

I agree, around Christmas would be best. There is also a small chance that you might change your mind and want to go back full-time (or not at all!) and so this gives you a while to make sure you're happy with your decision.

Good ideas, thanks for the advice!

I mentioned it just before I went away on mat leave in a ' just so you know I may be requesting to go pt- will need to see how it goes but am considering it'. That way he knew it was coming and also could make any staffing decisions in advance knowing that it was coming. Meant that when i did formally request it he wasnt surprised and had already made other appointments so it was possiblr

I said befire starting mat leave. It was very much a 'I'll come back part time but if you don't grant it I'm not coming back ' way but had the desired effect. I needed to know before going off in case it affected my mat pay.