To ask for part time before or after applying for job

[Running365]

I'm keen to return to teaching after my maternity leave finishes and want to start at a new school due to proximity to home but would only be able to take on part time hours (0.5 or 0.6 FTE). A job is being advertised at a local primary school that would be ideal. Do you think I should email or request a meeting with the head before applying to ask if they would consider part time applicants, or apply anyway and then discuss this if I get an interview?

I have been on many interview panels as a previous chair of governors, please be upfront, no harm in asking if pt would be considered prior to applying. It is very annoying to shortlist for a full time post and then discover the applicant has no intention of taking up a full time position.

Ask beforehand, just email whoever it says to send the application in to and just ask "would you consider a part-time role for this post" - it's how I got my first job after a career break. It was a 1 year maternity leave cover, advertised full-time. I asked and it turned out that they actually preferred someone who could do part-time, but thought they'd get no applicants if they advertised it as part-time!

Other schools replied saying they would prefer a full-time candidate but would consider my application if they couldn't get a suitable full-time candidate etc.

There's no harm in asking, but definitely do it before applying, otherwise you could be wasting your time and theirs.