What would you do?

[Sooki6]

I’ve seen a job for an assistant principle and have been to visit the school today and it’s ideal. It took me 50 mins to get there without the traffic that I may get. My twins are nearly nine now and so I’m not sure whether I’d be mean leaving at 7 and returning at 6 when at the moment I’m commuting 25 mins each way to work. The job at the moment that I have has no room for growth and I feel fed up. What would you do?

This is what I'd do.. but i have no children yet lol!..

I am studying to be a teacher and have a child on the way... If I was in your shoes i'd go for it as long as your children are happy to be left and just see how it goes.. if it doesn't work out, look for another job similar but that it closer and more convenient for you xx

Assistant Principal is long hours, not much more pay and the route to Head Teacher / Principal... If you are on that road.
My DD is nearly 12 and only now am I thinking of my next steps in teaching, career wise. Until now, I have preferred having that extra time to do stuff after school etc and generally leave school, at school iykwim. Even with full time teaching I can help with hw, do dinner etc no worries.
As tempting as it looks now, two hour commute each day on top of the extra hours needed for the role... That's a lot with 8yo twins.
In saying that if you were a bloke (and maybe you are!) I'm sure you wouldn't think twice and no-one would even blink an eye.
I guess it all comes down to how much support you have at home and how much you want the job. But really, these jobs do come up fairly regularly and personally I would leave it a few more years.

What has been said already.

That is a long commute.

Also, your life as an AP will very much depend on the quality of the principal.

Is it secondary? I'm primary so don't know about secondary but in primary I just very much doubt you'd get the job done between 8 and 5 so it would likely be a much longer day. I used to have a similar commute and it drove me mad, especially as I passed probably a dozen other schools on my way!

Thank you for your responses. It’s a primary school and is an academy. The head seemed to talk a lot about work life balance and the importance of family. He talked about me having a day a week for management time on top of my ppa. Bring an academy and the way it’s structured, there are around four assistant principles- I’d basically be the early years lead with a posh title! It’s a lot more money than I’m currently earning- this isn’t necessarily important as we’re fine as we are but my efforts would be rewarded. I’ve been going over and over it in my head and just can’t decide what to do. It’s not the perfect time with my twins being the age that they are but will I always say that? It’s hard finding a school that would consider me after I stepped down the ladder earlier in my career. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Being*

Reading your posts I think your gut feeling is you want the job. A long commute can be a killer though. I guess it's a question of weighing up how much you like the look of the job against that.

The job sounds ideal, but the commute does not.

I think the extra responsibility would be fine, your children are not toddlers, however a 2hr a day commute would put me off.

If the job is absolutely perfect - would you consider moving house to nearer the school?

Go for the job, go for the interview snd asks your questions...you can always say no.

Interviews are a two way process...check the school out.

Honestly kids need you whatever age they are, so I would go there and get a feel and then yiu will know what to do. Good luck in your decision

I wouldn’t move nearer. We’ve just moved in January this year and love our new home and location. It’d definitely be easier but I love our little haven xx

Have you asked this in another thread too ?
Only I answered yesterday and my answer isn't here.

I can get across our City in the middle of the day, without the traffic (even before the rest of the world was working at home) in about 40 - 45mins. However, when I have t do that journey in the any of the 6 hours of day that are considered the 2 rush "hours" that journey will take a minimum of 75mins and sometimes 90mins. (More on those odd occasions like snow / bomb alert / major accident or incident) So I'd increase your expectation of travel time closer to an hour and a half each way and then consider if you think it is worth it (keeping in mind, if a child isn't collected or some other incident, as EYs Lead, it would be your responsibility to deal with it, not someone else's as you 'have to get away'.
As I said in my other reply, if your dh / dp is at home or working locally and you aren't responsible for drop offs and pick ups ever, then that makes life easier of course and it is more a case of the length of time you want to spend in a car.

I don't wish to piss on your chips, OP, but is there any way of checking out the HT?
My last school in the UK had a new HT while I was there, who talked a very good talk about work/life balance, parents as teachers, etc.

What a crock. She played favourites and I had to screw her down to what she'd said , e.g. my DD was part of a school performance. I was free at the time. Did she kick up a fuss when I wanted the time? Jesus. I got my way.

On the other hand a member of staff, with no other reason than it was what what she wanted, got her no-class Friday afternoons off to collect her DD. I pointed out that the teacher's absence meant someone else always picked up covers. No, the HT did not appear to get this.

The lesson is: if you can, check it out.

And they're not bothered about employing someone who can't spell their own job title?

And they're not bothered about employing someone who can't spell their own job title?

FFS

@katy1213 thank you so much for your advice. Point taken!
Now, as we’re on the subject of handing out advice, I have some for you!
There’s a brilliant video by CEOP. You can find it on YouTube. I like the one aimed at 5-7 year olds as it’s about the very basics of online bullying and trolling. I’m thinking you need some CPD. Now, before you share this with your class, make sure you study it hard yourself. After all, we cannot teach these things is we cannot preach them!
Have a lovely Sunday 😊

I'm an ex- AHT and in your situation would be less worried about the commute and more concerned about how it will eat in to your time at home with your children.
Extra meetings after school, working at weekends and evenings, especially around assessment weeks/ofsted inspections.
Academy trusts also seem to have a whole extra series of hoops to jump through. I'd never work for one again.
Plus the 50 minute commute may actually end up being more. Many people are still working from home. Rush hour where I live is not as busy since pre lockdown.
I know I sound negative but in my experience it's hard to juggle full time teaching with kids never mind being SLT.

@Ayupmeduck thank you for your honesty. The longer time goes by, the less inclined I feel to apply x